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Archived: VH1 Island Boy Rob Riley Makes It Clear- “Trinidad is Home”

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Rob Riley. You may know him for his role in the popular VH1 hit drama, ‘Hit The Floor’ but in the Caribbean the actor is becoming tremendously popular for being a strong advocate for the carnival culture and of course, soca music. Riley’s got Caribbean roots, which he’s extremely proud of. He was born to a Trinbagonian mother and Barbadian father in Brooklyn, New York, but despite this, he told EBUZZTT that he’s a Caribbean man to his heart, all because of how he was raised.

Rob Riley's a Caribbean man.

Rob Riley’s a Caribbean man.

Riley recently touched down in Trinidad for Republic Bank’s Decibel Expo and in a chat with EBUZZTT, he heartily expressed his love and appreciation for all things associated with T&T’s culture. He said he grew up listening to  calypso and soca music and to this day, curry and sorrel are among his favorite things to eat and drink, adding that even though he wasn’t raised in T&T, the nation that’s known best for steel pan, soca and calypso, is his home.

Riley said selling the culture of Trinidad and Tobago to him, is easy. “If I was asked to sell one aspect of the Trini way of like, I’d focus on the diversity that’s inherent here,” he said, explaining that T&T is truly a melting pot of cultures – something that’s unique and beautiful.

Riley reps for the Hollywood Massive.

Riley reps for the Hollywood Massive.

Making the trip to T&T for the Decibel expo, was Riley’s girlfriend of four years, Sofia. She too expressed her likeness for T&T, calling it an ‘island paradise’ and telling us while this trip was her first, it won’t be her last. The pair will likely return to T&T for Carnival 2017.

Rob Riley plays the character ‘Terrence’ on the VH1 hit series, ‘Hit The Floor’, and he told EBUZZTT it’s a character he’s proud of. Riley said Terrence’s character is passionate, articulate, strong and generally a positive role model. “Black men aren’t often cast in such positive roles in Hollywood,” he admitted, inadvertently expressing his appreciation for the role.

Rob spends a lot of his time mentoring students and told us he hopes to return to Trinidad and Tobago before the end of the year for a secondary school’s tour, explaining that this is just one of the many ways he plans on giving back to a place that has shaped him into much of what he is today.

EBUZZTT CONTRIBUTORDionne Baptiste

Caribbean Buzz

The Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.

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It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.

Naya George

Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.

For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.

Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.

Anson George

The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.

“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.

Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.

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Caribbean Buzz

Caribbean Youths Zealously Welcome American Streamer, IShowSPEED.

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A Caribbean tour that started in Trinidad on Saturday and has continued in Grenada, this afternoon, has intrigued GenZ and GenAlphan fans across the Caribbean and internationally, all thanks to digital influencer, IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr.

The 21-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio native who has racked up over 53 million YouTube subscribers touched down in Trinidad on Saturday, much to the excitement of local gaming and streaming fanatics, many of whom are teens and pre-teens.

Accompanied by several Trinidad and Tobago influencers and chaperoned by Machel Montano’s manager, Che Kothari, the vibrant young streamer was shown various parts of Port- of- Spain, Trinidad, and introduced to aspects of the culture often experienced by visitors to T&T, particularly at Carnival time.

From Saheena, to Roti, Bake and Shark and Doubles, IShowSpeed tried several Trinbagonian dishes and even some of the snacks manufactured locally. He was exposed to Carnival culture and traditional carnival characters and further to that, Trinidad and Tobago artistes like Lady Lava, Nessa Preppy and Jimmy October shared in the thrill of his visit. Many young, eager Trinbaonians, inclusive of parents who are familiar with the young influencer, engaged happily with Watkins Jr. throughout Saturday’s trip, all as he streamed the fun, live. Running through the streets as he moved through places like Tragarete Road and Charlotte Street in downtown Port-of-Spain, he was visibly excited to experience the country known especially for the Greatest Caribbean Carnival, the world over.

The trip, though quick, was streamed to some 7 millions online viewers and while some found it difficult to relate to the new wave of digital marketing and influencer branding potential for the small, twin island, others have since been marveling at the fact that this 21-year-old has managed to gift Trinidad and Tobago more publicity in mere hours, than that which Caribbean celebrities have been able to attain, over years in cultural ambassadorship.

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