Hookie Life Entertainment is turning up the volume and elevating the energy with the return of its signature events, ‘Lion’s Pride J’ouvert’ and ‘Riddim & Glow’, two electrifying experiences that are set to take center stage at Hookie Weekend 2025, scheduled for June 19th to 23rd in the Washington D.C. metro area.
As the Caribbean diaspora’s premier summer carnival escape, Hookie Weekend continues to redefine the cultural experience with a lineup of events that blend authentic Caribbean energy, music, and expression. In 2025, the vibe hits harder than ever with these two immersive, high-intensity experiences.
On Saturday June 21st from 7AM – 12PM, Lion’s Pride J’ouvert will bring together carnival chasers, mas veterans, and first-timers to celebrate the rebellious joy of J’ouvert in an atmosphere charged with high-energy Soca, flag-waving pride, and non-stop revelry. With the 2025 theme “Call of J’ouvert” inspired by the popular video game “Call of Duty,” revellers will be immersed in a drinks-inclusive, pulsating paint-and-powder party.
On Sunday June 22nd the popular Hookie Weekend staple Riddim & Road will be remixed to ‘Riddim & Glow’. From 4PM -9PM, Riddim & Glow will take masqueraders to the next level with a futuristic glow-in-the-dark experience that merges the spirit of carnival with electrifying visuals. Attendees will shine under the stars and neon lights, surrounded by the thunderous riddims of music trucks with a powerhouse DJ lineup. Organisers of the event say, it’s mas reimagined in an energetic environment.
From paint-splattered to LED-lit, Hookie Weekend, 2025 delivers a transformative escape for lovers of Caribbean culture. Whether you’re jumping in the paint and powder at Lion’s Pride J’ouvert or illuminating the evening at Riddim & Glow, this year’s celebration promises to be a memorable experience, charged with pure bacchanal.
Moruga born, international restauranteur and artiste, Mr. Lee, is returning to the Soca spotlight, delivering two major singles already, amid the buzz of an incoming Carnival 2026 season in his homeland, Trinidad and Tobago.
Based in the US, the artiste, who is no stranger to the entertainment circuit, is re-establishing himself as a powerful voice, after a 16-year- hiatus. “I’ve been a recording artiste for a very long time. I was a part of a duo called Barber Boys before joining a band called, Cloud 9 in New York, years ago. We opened for Machel Montano, Square One, Krossfyah, Traffik, Bunji Garlin and other major Soca artistes. I also did a lot of recording with Shel Shok back in the day,” he shared.
In 2023, Mr. Lee stepped back into music, having dedicated his hiatus to establishing his restaurant, ‘Jus’ Fishy,’ in New York. “In 2023, I worked alongside Terri Lyons, releasing a single called, “Thanks for Life,” he said, explaining that he immediately felt comfortable returning to Soca. “I had some rust to shake off but that Soca energy is like a fire that’s in your soul. It never dies,” he admitted. His return was fueled by a key link made with Khadeem Edwards of Xklusiv Muzic Productions who worked closely with him, producing each of his songs from 2023 onward. Edwards also wrote Mr. Lee’s reggae single, “It’s Unfair’ and now manages his career. Together, the pair have cemented a valuable partnership, supported by natural chemistry and equally focused vision.
With two singles unleashed so far, Mr. Lee says the encouragement he’s been receiving from his peers in the business, has been really good. “I have a lot of friends in the industry and they’ve all been saying the comeback is as though I’d never left,” he said with a laugh.
Despite that warm embrace however, he says he is ready to work hard and doesn’t want to get comfortable at all. “I have two singles. ‘Bacchanal Clan’ was written by Pronto in New York. He’s a really good writer,” he said, highlighting that the song sits on the Relief Riddim, which was produced by Xklusiv Music Productions and features fellow artistes, Skinny Fabulous, Dev and Rae.
His second single, ‘Welcome Back’ was also written by Pronto with production by Trypp Records and Xklusiv Music Productions. “I had this idea for a track and I reached out to Pronto, went into the studio and like magic, we collaborated in writing the song after I sang what I had in my head, and ‘Welcome Back’ was born.”
For Mr. Lee, music is inherent. Back in 2009, he made it to the semi-finals of the International Soca Monarch, and hopes to enter T&T’s major Carnival competitions in the season ahead. “I’m also working on a Calypso contribution and a Power Soca track, for release soon,” he asserted, making it abundantly clear that he’s dedicated to the music.
A Siparia native by birth who later moved to Moruga, Mr. Lee’s aspirations in music are fueled by the respect he has for career artistes like Machel Montano and Kees Dieffenthaller. “I’m very humble and hard working. I’ve dreamed of someday working with Machel Montano, even though he’s sometimes misunderstood. He’s always been my hero,” said the artiste.
Family his motivation, Mr. Lee moved from Moruga to the United States with Soca on his mind and a strong affinity to Caribbean flavours- something that has propelled him to become a respected chef in New York city. “Moruga taught me a lot about fish and Moruga supports me in a major way when it comes to my music. I’m grateful for both,” he said.
Ahead of Carnival 2026 with ‘Bacchanal Clan’ and ‘Welcome Back’ unleashed, he’s promising non-stop vibes and true Trinbagonian spirit packaged for the long haul. “I’m grateful for the love so far and I can’t wait to see where the journey leads.”
For more on the artiste, follow him on Instagram @mrlee_theartiste.
Trinidad and Tobago is home to tremendous talent. From all walks of life, and in variations that span music, theatre arts and visual arts, the country’s creative aptitude is endless. Zebulun is one of Trinidad and Tobago’s entertainers on the cusp of international promotion. Reggae, the sound that announced his entry onto the music scene in the 2000s, the entertainer is now rebranding, reconnecting and making a major move for international stardom.
Zebulun is excited to work with ROC Nation and Coda Music App.
With songs like ‘Fake Love’ and ‘Better Will Come’ a part of his music catalogue, Zebulun, whose real name is Marcus McIntosh, says he is eager to return to the forefront of music. “I had to take some time off and now I’m rebranding, and I’m teaming up with some great people in the US,” he said. “I’m signed with ROC Nation Distribution for three albums, five singles and five videos,” he explained, adding that his new collaboration allows for global streaming as well. “I’ll also be working with Coda Music app (@codamusicapp), which is one of the newest and largest streaming companies in the US,” said Zebulun. Owned by Randy Fye and Russell Gaskin, the app is described as a human- first platform that ensures users can enjoy genuine music without the interference of Artificial Intelligence. The app also boasts over 130 million songs. “This streaming giant in the business will now form part of my online footprint. I was warmly welcomed and I’m very proud to be the first international/Caribbean act to be signed to Coda Music streaming.” said the artiste. International artistes a part of the Coda Music App listing include, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg and Eric Clapton. Already a powerful contender on the streaming scene, Coda Music is quickly making inroads to become a leading streaming company in the United States, potentially taking outrunning Spotify
Passionate about delivering music that’s enjoyed by people around the world, Zebulun proudly looks forward to his international partnerships as a Trinbagonian artiste. “These powerful partnerships took place from Trinidad and Tobago. It was important for me to see things through from our shores, to show the youths here that they can make it too,” he said. His company, Bella Music, is a partnership formulated with a close friend. Together they plan on signing other artistes out of Trinidad and Tobago with a view to exporting local talent around the world. “On November 20th, my first release will be distributed by ROC Nation and streamed on Coda Music app
Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music. “It’s on the raunchy side – definitely something for the ladies with the goodies,” he laughed. The track was produced by Jamaican producer, Wizical- a major name in dancehall, with production done for artistes like Skillibeng. “My new single will be available on Coda Music app on November 20th. Let’s make history T&T; Be sure to go stream it,” urged Zebulun.
Plans afoot to promote his music in the US, Canada, the UK and even Africa, beginning in March 2026, Zebulun is excited and anticipates positive feedback from his supporters and friends at home in T&T. “It’s an extraordinary feeling to be doing something I love and to be receiving the support I need to make it happen the right way. My album release party will be in Trinidad no matter what, so I’m looking forward to sharing that information with my people when everything is finalized.”
For now however, Zebulun excitedly moves closer to his dream, harnessing his creativity and passionately pushing into the unknown. “As an artiste out of Trinidad and Tobago, I really wanted the attention for not just myself, but also my country. I did this project like no other projects out of T&T and in ten years, I hope when people look back on it, they’ll applaud the effort and the wins. I’m building legacy and I’m doing it in my own lane,” said the singer.
Follow Zebulun as he makes his moves. Check out @zebulunmusic on IG for updates as his journey unfolds.
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