Caribbean Buzz
Warrior King Shows T&T What Real Love Should Look Like, Leaves Lasting Impression.
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad was the scene of an epic and truly memorable concert experience on Saturday night. The One Love Experience – a concert promoted by Caribbean Love Promotions, delivered more than just good music to reggae music lovers, but also, an escape from the many societal triggers that have cluttered the minds of many for weeks, months, perhaps even years. One Love- The Experience was just that! It was a love off – an escape from the ordinary, and for a moment in time, couples held each other as they rocked away to music from some of the Caribbean’s most extraordinary entertainers.
The lineup was unconventional – none of the overly popular names, and for that reason, those who traditionally attend major reggae concert events in T&T, may have chosen to sit this one out, but little did they know they’d be missing a truly enjoyable reggae experience.
Opening acts for the evening were T&T’s reggae artistes – Isasha, Mr. King, Jamelody, King David and Black Loyalty. Never disappointing, each of the artistes treated those present to their hits, all the while, educating through music and pleading for positive redirection onward. Isasha, the last of the local acts to perform gave a mini preview of what is likely to come when he delivers his event on May 1st, in Point Fortin ahead of Borough Day celebrations this year. The artiste was warmly welcomed to the stage, the crowd eating out of his hands as he engaged them with his high impact songs, among those, the hit single, ‘Don’t You Know.’
The energy would increase with the introduction of the Jamaican artistes – this as the local entertainers made their way toward the VIP area to take in the show themselves. Walking around, Mr. King was warmly greeted by fans, stopping for photos and sharing kind words with those he met. “Yuh know I have to come and see my people,” he told Ebuzztt. It was only days before, that a song, conceptualized by the said artiste, and collaboratively sung by Isasha, King David, Ziggy Rankin, Prophet Benjamin and Mr. King himself, would go viral. The track, ‘The Call,’ has since been dubbed the new anthem, with many affirming that they too are fed up of the crime scourge that has near crippled the nation.
On stage, Jamaican entertainer, Warrior King made good of his time. Pouring his heart and soul out, the artiste laid the groundwork for what would essentially prove to be a show- stopper toward the end of his set. Songs like ‘Never Go Where Pagans Go,’ ‘Jah Is Always There’ and ‘My Life’ would lead to a love story shared live on stage. Bringing his wife to the stage, Warrior King told fans that he had married a Trinidadian woman from Gasparillo. To this, the crowd immediately cheered and the artiste would go on to share a brief, tender moment with his wife, holding her in his arms, and kissing her for all to see and appreciate. His affectionate declaration would then lead to his reassuring single, ‘Baby Girl.’
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Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.
Caribbean Buzz
Belize’s Shyne, Talks Culture and Governance at Island Music Conference. Challenges Caribbean Leaders.
Belizean political leader and notable Hip Hop figure , The Honourable, Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow has identified Jamaica as a regional blueprint for how culture and governance can work together to build sustainable industry.
Delivering a keynote address entitled, ‘From Stage to State’ at the Island Music Conference (IMC) in Kingston, Jamaica last week, Barrow urged Caribbean governments to move beyond symbolic support of the arts and toward structured public–private partnerships.
“These conferences are so very important,” he told delegates, describing information exchange as critical in an evolving global music economy. Responding to a question from Overtime Media about cultural influence as an economic engine, Barrow pointed to Jamaica’s global footprint. “The work of great musicians such as Bob Marley and Shabba Ranks, as well as the development of Reggae and Dancehall music, has done more for the Jamaican tourism product than anything else,” he said.
PHOTO: Overtime Media.
According to Barrow, Jamaica exemplifies how successive political administrations, despite partisan rivalry, maintained consistent implementation policies that enabled private-sector investment in the music industry. “They were fighting each other, but giving the same implementation,” he noted, crediting that alignment for helping Jamaican music achieve unmatched global recognition.“There is no one in the world who does not know about Jamaica — its music, its food and its culture,” he noted.
Barrow framed his own political evolution as rooted in Hip Hop’s entrepreneurial DNA. Calling his transition from performer to legislator “quintessential Hip-Hop,” he cited moguls who expanded beyond music into business and influence, arguing that creative thinkers belong in positions of power. “We belong in parliament. We belong in the cabinet. We belong in the Prime Minister’s office and in the President’s office,” he said. He also addressed emerging challenges facing the creative sector, particularly artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection.“We need to protect our rights. We need to protect our work and that can only be legislated,” Barrow warned. “If we don’t get involved in the legislative process, we’re going to wake up one day and find that our rights are gone.”
Calling the human mind “the greatest thing on planet Earth,” he cautioned against over-reliance on technology, stressing that creatives must remain central to innovation. Reflecting candidly on his past, including a decade of incarceration following a 1999 nightclub shooting, Barrow described his return to Belize as a shift toward service. “By then, my dreams had already come true,” he said. “But when I looked around my country, I saw people still struggling. So I chose a life of service.”
Barrow also revealed plans to return to the stage with a world tour marking the 25th anniversary of his debut album, while reaffirming his commitment to public service. Closing his address, he challenged Caribbean leaders to diversify the profiles of those shaping legislation.“The Caribbean’s creative class has already shaped global culture,” he said. “Now we must shape policy.”
– NIGEL TELESFORD / Overtime Media.
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