Caribbean Buzz
Voice Breaks into Tears On Stage in NYC. “God Told Me to Go Fulfill My Purpose.”
His journey can only be described in one word- predestined. The swift elevation from mere San Juan youth to internationally recognized Soca star is one that on Thursday night proved emotionally overwhelming for Trinidad and Tobago’s Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis. “I cried because I was overwhelmed. I cried because I couldn’t understand,” he wrote beneath a video posted to his social media platforms, highlighting the emotions felt and openly shown in New York on Thursday night.
Voice hit the United States by storm in August, having announced a full tour that included shows in Washington, Houston, Atlanta and Miami. The tour was named after his Instagram live nighttime feature, “Vibes with Voicey,” which brought fans from around the world into a close knit circle of friendships he’d built with fellow entertainment practitioners, Akeem 5.0, Major Penny, Salty, Travis World and DJ Elon. The feature would see thousands log in, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning, to vibes with Voicey and his friends! It was sheer authenticity and it proved genius! The concept would soon morph into a multi-state tour in the United States where, despite continued COVID19 vaccine hesitancy by many, even within the Caribbean community, Soca artistes had gotten the green light to entertain fans at events across the US. Caribbean fetes were happening everywhere and on August 8th, Voice waded into the pre-Miami carnival energy, delivering his first installment of the tour at Arts Park in Florida.
Over the next few weeks, leading up to the final installment on September 2nd in New York, Voice brought fellow Soca artistes, Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons, Alison Hinds, Problem Child, Lyrikal, Sekon Sta, Grenada’s Lil Natty and Thunda, Nailah Blackman, College Boi Jesse, Motto, and in New York, Kees and Nadia Batson among others, to deliver to fans of soca who simply lapped up every bit of the thrill they could, before Summer ends and the cold front returns.
The young, triple Soca Monarch champion, thankful and dripping with gratitude not only to his parents but also to his dedicated team of friends and the entertainment professionals who supported him, ended the tour in tears on stage on Thursday night. “But then it hit me, God gives the hardest battles to His strongest soldiers. I’ve claimed success…I’ve claimed growth…and even when the journey was rough and I was at my lowest, God picked me up told me to go fulfill my purpose. He reminded me of the endless nights I worked for what I have now. He told me my time is now, and I listened,” the ‘Peace of Mind’ singer wrote. He said God had chosen him to deliver the music that would uplift the people, and as such, no one would deter him.
The singer went on to thank his parents, saying, “I owe everything to my mom and my dad. Not just my growth in my career but even my inner peace and happiness. I am who I am because of their intervention, guidance and love. God has truly blessed me with a support system like no other.”
Caribbean Buzz
$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.
The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.
In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.
“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”
For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.
Caribbean Buzz
Jamaican Music and Culture Takes Centre Stage in South Florida, in February.
In South Florida, Caribbean culture finds a second home with a number of major caribbean centric events hosted throughout the year. On Sunday, February 2nd, the 2nd annual Reggae Genealogy Music Festival takes centre stage as the pulsating sounds and multifaceted history of that country, is set to be showcased.
The event will take place from 4pm to 9pm at the northeast parking lot of the the Broward Mall in the City of Plantation. Via media release, Ebuzztt learnt that the area will be transformed into a lively concert venue where attendees will enjoy an immersive journey through Jamaica’s unparalleled musical legacy in celebration of Reggae Month.
Produced by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, this family-friendly showcase will begin by tracing the early beginnings of popular Jamaican music, prior to Jamaican independence from Britain in 1962, to the present, touching on mento, ska, nyabinghi, rocksteady, lovers rock, dub, reggae and dancehall. Performers including industry legends like Ernie Smith, Eric “Monty” Morris, Wayne Armond, Ambelique and more will perform musical features alongside the Code Red Band and lead singer Bobby Rose, as well as dancers from Carimer Theatre, captivating the audience with a slew of hits from yesteryear.
In Act I, the story will be narrated by effervescent Jamaican Consul General Oliver Mair, whose theatrical background will lend levity to the early evening events. Later, in Act II, the showcase will also highlight the influence of Jamaican music on genres such as dub, pop, reggaeton and Afrobeats, in a current and future musical journey curated and performed in part by DJ GQ of Y100. Entertainers like Bigg G, Phil Watkins, VP Records diva Shuga and more will lend contemporary musical stylings to the night.
Ahead of this rhythmic melding of entertainment and learning, attendees are encouraged to come out early to enjoy free museum tours, events and activities, food and shopping in the event area as well as inside the mall.
Gates for the Reggae Genealogy concert open at 4 p.m. with showtime at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $15 for early purchase to $75 for full-priced VIP. Find tickets, sponsorship, vendor and volunteer information at www.reggaegenealogy.org
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