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.’
Caribbean Buzz
Guyana and T&T take aim at Vybz Kartel’s song ‘Good Like Jesus.’
Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel has sparked a wave of controversy in Guyana ahead of his upcoming performance at the highly anticipated Baderation concert on Saturday, May 24. The uproar centers around his track Good Like Jesus, which the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has slammed as “blasphemous and deeply offensive.”
In a strongly worded statement released Wednesday, the ERC called for the song to be banned from airplay and public performance in Guyana. The commission claims the lyrics, which include explicit references to female anatomy and religious imagery, are “profoundly disrespectful to Christian religious sensibilities.”
The ERC expressed concern over what it sees as a direct affront to the Christian faith, particularly to depictions of Jesus Christ, a figure central to the beliefs of many Guyanese. “Such content undermines the values of reverence, respect, and harmony that underpin Guyana’s multicultural society,” the statement read.
As Kartel’s performance draws near, it’s unclear whether the backlash will impact the show or spark wider protests. Still, the controversy has thrust the outspoken artist—and his provocative lyrics—back into the spotlight. In Trinidad and Tobago last week, there was social uproar after news emerged that the artiste would be restricted from specific interviews and additions to his itinerary which included meeting with community leaders, ahead of a May 31st appearance at the Queen’s Park Savannah. The public outrage was further exacerbated when a media release outlined measures being considered by the Minister of Defense, Wayne Sturge, which highlighted that due to mounting public concern surrounding Vybz Kartel’s lyrical content, entry to the event may be restricted to those 18-years-old and over. Additionally, the media release also referenced the single highlighted by Guyana’s Ethnic Relations Commission, noting that performance of that song, also faces the possibility of performance restriction.
Minister Sturge said the decision-making process involved balancing the artiste’s right to freedom of expression with national security concerns, the public interest, and the protection of children.
Caribbean Buzz
Vybz Kartel Quiets Noise Surrounding Upcoming Visit to Trinidad and Tobago.
