CARIBBEAN NEWS AND VIEWS
News & Views >> 2008

» T&T's Newest Mother's Day Love Song - A Mother's Child [05/09/08]
» Atlanta Celebrates 20 years of Carnival [05/09/08]
» The First Island Star [05/08/08]
» Lilliput Theatre Calls Us To Introspection [05/01/08]
» Just like Clockwork, Mavado keeps on Ticking [05/01/08]
» Critically-acclaimed sitcom Lord Have Mercy! hits the airwaves in Trinidad [05/01/08]
» 20 Questions with Alicia "The Duchess" Awai [04/24/08]
» A New Carnival for the Calendar - West Palm Beach Carnival [04/17/08]
» Superstars will perform at the MAQ T20 International Cricket Touranment'08 [04/17/08]
» Official Date: Port Royal Music Festival 2008 [04/17/08]
» St. George's College seek their 4th consecutive Dennis Ziadie Cup - April 26th, 2008 [04/17/08]
» Local Reggae Artist Verse iTal Launches Debut Album Love Cry [03/24/08]
» Designers needed for Caribbean Fashion Rocks 2008 [03/23/08]
» Has Reggae Lost It's Value? [03/23/08]
» Danger Zone: Taking Danger Zone: Taking Music to a Higher Level [03/23/08]
» Jah Cure Maintains his Focus [03/23/08]
» 27 Years after his death, Eric Williams Memorial Collection celebrates 10th Anniversary [03/22/08]
» TEMPO Announces Launch of Badness Outta Style Show: School Tour and Mr. King Video [03/17/08]
» The Irish are coming! Are you ready? [03/13/08]
» Jamelody, New Trinidadian Roots Artist, releases debut Album 'Be Prepared' [03/13/08]
» The 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth to be held in London on Fri 18th April'08 [03/13/08]
» Ms. Triniti is 'Burnin' Up Airwaves across the U.S with Blazing New Single [03/12/08]
» Eight Caribbean U20 Footballers from the Digicel Kick Start Football Clinics chosen [02/25/08]
» The Urban Music Awards & Next Urban Superstar Launches in the Caribbean [02/25/08]
» Ms. Triniti, Ragga Hopping to Soca Sound [02/24/08]
» Death B4 Dishonor 8, World Clash Jamaica. March 24, 2008! LINE UP ANNOUNCED! [02/22/08]
» Philip Scantlebury New Releases [02/22/08]
» 'Education Is No Joke' School Tour gets Serious [02/22/08]
» Morgan Heritage to release New Album "Mission In Progress" on April 15th on VP Records [02/22/08]
» Rootz Underground to release Debut Album 'Movement' on March 4th [02/22/08]
» Anthony B's American West Coast Tour doing well [02/20/08]
» Female Dancehall Artist bringing conent back into the Music [01/16/08]
» Visionz Inc produces the 1st ever Trinidad & Tobago Village at ING Miami Marathon [01/15/08]
» Marlon Asher - The Ganja Farmer dedicates his new single to the people of Kenya [01/15/08]
» Lutan Fyah is definitely one to watch for 2008 [01/15/08]
» St. Kitts-Nevis Carnival 2007-08 .. A Revellers Review [01/15/08]
» Digicel Kick Start Clinics launched in Guyana [01/07/08]
» Magnum Kings & Queens of Dancehall: A Revolution [01/07/08]

News & Views :: Current Headlines

On the heels of a successful Carnival season with patriotic track "Can't Take Trini Outta Me," Remmi-D and Caribbean crossover band JMC 3Veni recently released "A Mother's Child," a number dedicated to mothers the world over.

"A Mother's Child" is a very sentimental number that captures the mother's role in life's ever-continuing cycle. It takes the listener from birth, to adulthood, to birth once again, all the while describing the love that only a mother can have for a ... [Read Full Article]

On March 7, 2008 at Toussaint L'Ouverture Center, Kathy Chouloute captured the hearts of viewers across the world by being chosen as the first ever Island Star. Chouloute, a 21-year-old student who attends the University of South Florida, was chosen amongst six contestants during a three month competition to find singing talent within the Caribbean community. Island Star, which is often compared to American Idol, was an attempt to give the young Caribbean community an opportunity to hone their talent. "I believe Island Star served its purpose of giving the ... [Read Full Article]

April 28, 2008 – Port of Spain, Trinidad… Lilliput Theatre will premiere its interpretation of The Emperor’s New Clothes at Queen’s Hall beginning Friday May 16, 2008 and running throughout the weekend. In their re-presentation of this classic tale, the young thespians emphasise the relevance of the tale’s metaphor to Trinidad and Tobago’s present political and societal landscape.

This year, Trinidad and Tobago’s political environment deeply inspired the artist and designer, Merylle Mahabir, in her conceptualisation of ... [Read Full Article]

There is no stopping Mavado. Despite controversial media attention, the dancehall luminary remains the topic of positive conversation whether it is his generous donations for battered women, a customized dub for Barack Obama, his score on latest Grand Theft Auto video game or critical praise from the world’s most esteemed publications.

The latest Rolling Stone Magazine rates Mavado as the “Best Reggae Artist” in their Best of Rock 2008 issue. Mavado ranks amid this year’s crop of hand-picked winners such as ... [Read Full Article]

Toronto - April 30, 2008 -- The debut season of Canada's Gemini-nominated sitcom Lord Have Mercy! has been picked up by Gayelle TV and NCC TV in Trinidad. Co-created and directed by Trinidadian filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, Lord Have Mercy! is a groundbreaking multicultural comedy series starring Trinidadian comedian and actor Dennis 'Sprangalang' Hall and Jamaican icon Leonie Forbes. The sitcom will debut on Gayelle TV on Friday May 2nd at 8 p.m. and ... [Read Full Article]

Alicia "The Duchess" Awai is one of few female DJ's to have stood the test of time and satisfied the critical ear of the crowds.

1. Your greatest joy?
Realising my potential as a DJ.

2. Your secret fear?
Failure...

3. The best advice you have received and from whom?
Yes they do as a matter of fact they treat me with ... [Read Full Article]

The Palm Beach Multicultural Organization (PBMOI) is introducing a new carnival to the calendar. On Saturday June 14th 2008, the PBMOI will present the first annual West Palm Beach Carnival at the South Florida Fair Grounds in Palm Beach County, Florida. The festive celebration of Caribbean culture will feature a parade of costumed bands, live entertainment, authentic Caribbean cuisine and drink, arts and crafts and much more.

The West Palm Beach Carnival is scheduled to begin at 11am with a parade followed by a live concert in the evening featuring an impressive lineup of International entertainers including Alison Hinds, T-Vice, Rikki-Jai, Giselle D'Wassi One ... [Read Full Article]

Memorial Weekend will come alive with three exciting days of 20/20 Cricket and two incredible nights of live entertainment.

Ky-mani Marley, son of legendary Reggae Icon Bob Marley, will pay a special tribute to his dad by singing the song "Dear Dad", a letter he wrote to GOD after his Dad passed when Ky-mani was just a child; he later composed the letter into ... [Read Full Article]

The official date for the third annual Port Royal Music Festival is November 7 - 9, 2008. The change of date from the usual month of August to November will enhance tourism in Jamaica for November, bringing more tourists to the island during this time. The planning and organizing for its third staging is well underway and this year's event promises to exceed all expectations.

The festivities will begin with the Celebrity Party, followed by the Main Show and then Jazz on the Harbour. It is clear that this year's event will capture "all the right elements of music, bringing a diverse line-up of activities" as Christopher Blythe explains Director of Paradise Communications. "As we develop a music festival in ... [Read Full Article]

April 13th, 2008, Miramar, Florida – The St. George's College will defend their claim to Dennis Ziadie Memorial Cup on Saturday April 26th, 2008 when they play the Jamaica College Old Boys Association of Florida (JCOBAFL) in Miramar , Florida . The St. George's College Old Boys Association of Florida (STGCFL) has been victorious in the previous 3 years of the event are confident that they will keep the trophy for another year.

“We have won the last 3 matches at this annual event." said Trevor Palmer, St George's College Old Boys Assoc of Florida President, " Based on ... [Read Full Article]

Smooth... fresh...insightful... these are just some of the words being used to describe the latest reggae phenomenon to hit Trinidad & Tobago... and yes, he's one hundred percent local. Verse iTal represents one of the growing number of young artists daring to explore the Jamaican art form that we have enjoyed for decades. It doesn't take you long to notice that there is something special with Verse. At first it could be his striking features or his carefully chosen words, but then the music hits you... and in the words of the legendary Bob "you feel no pain". What you get is imagery, consciousness... reggae music with substance. His debut album titled Love Cry leaves you feeling satisfied, a portion of satire, a serving of sentimentality and ... [Read Full Article]

New York: Playmakers Inc. & Social Eyes Entertainment are looking for talented fashion and hair designers to participate in the inaugural Caribbean Fashion Rocks 2008 – an event highlighting the best in Caribbean fashion, hair designs and culture.

"With fashion being an integral part of the Caribbean lifestyle, 'Caribbean Rock 2008' is the perfect platform for designers to showcase their creativity and love for ... [Read Full Article]

Is reggae music the only genre that releases hundreds of singles on a daily basis? I honestly do not know. But what I do know is that the way we handle our business in the reggae industry is affecting its monetary value.

Jamaica releases approximately 600 new songs daily. There are literally hundreds of producers spread out across the island. Some are your well established heavy weights while others are simply working with a drum machine at home. Whatever their situation these producers drum up music by the minute. And in an effort to be the next big thing or to maintain the current momentum, they basically give away their music all in the name of ... [Read Full Article]

Kingston, Jamaica:-- The Danger Zone Music Group emerged in the year 2000 out of a need to provide positive and quality music to the masses. Headed by CEO Delmar Drummond aka 'Della Danger' and with the Danger Zone Sound System as its nucleus, Danger Zone has over the last 6 years maintained a presence in the in the local and international music market churning out high quality music and managing some of the top reggae and dancehall artiste this side of the reggae and dancehall world.

Danger Zone currently has six top flight artistes on its roster, lead by Ce'Cile and Jah Cure, Danger Zone's success has proven that it has the level of professionalism and ... [Read Full Article]

Jah Cure has remained focused and continues to make a significant impact on the local and international scene with a European tour scheduled for this summer as well as several new tunes released. Jah Cure has also been nominated for three IRAWMA awards; Best Male Vocalist and Best Album/CD. The Danger Zone artiste, boasting a new album deal with Sobe Entertainment and a packed tour schedule has definitely build upon the momentum he garnered in 2007 and on march 15th performed to 8000 patrons at ... [Read Full Article]

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD (March 20, 2008) - March 22, 2008 will usher in the tenth anniversary of the inauguration of the Eric Williams Memorial Collection (EWMC), by former US Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell, at The University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Williams, the country's first Prime Minister who died in office on March 29, 1981, was heralded by Mr. Powell as a tireless warrior in the battle against colonialism, among his many other achievements as a scholar, politician and international statesman. More recently in 2007, Williams was honoured with the ... [Read Full Article]

MARCH 13, 2008:- Tempo, the Caribbean’s premier entertainment network, is pleased to announce a continuation of its antiviolence pro-social campaign, BADNESS OUTTA STYLE, with the new show, “Badness Outta Style,” which premiers on Sunday. The program, hosted by Mr. Tempo himself, Frederick Morton, Jr., Founder & CEO of Tempo, will explore ways to prevent violence in communities, schools, and neighborhoods across the Caribbean by engaging young people to make good decisions. ... [Read Full Article]

St. Patrick's Day is around the corner and what other way to celebrate that with Traditional Irish music, green beer and mashed potatoes with bacon. J. Malone's Irish Pub and Restaurant in Movie Towne, is pleased to announce the Irish invasion with the band CALOGA direct from Dublin, Ireland.

This 4 day celebrations are carded from Friday 14th to Monday 17th March - St. Patrick's Day. The General Manager of J. Malone's, Mikael Rydle says ... [Read Full Article]

Planet Reggae always finds room for a great roots vocalist, and BE PREPARED, JAMELODY’s 15 track VP Records debut CD, showcases a rare voice---soulful, gritty, with echoes of Dennis Brown and Garnet Silk, as well as Stevie Wonder. But JAMELODY is clearly his own man, and he sings not just for one audience, but for the whole world.

Whether working out over BE PREPARED’s first half—hardcore foundation-style reggae tracks, produced by legendary mixing board master Bobby “Digital” Dixon—or the CD’s “New Roots” rock/pop/R&B hybrids, orchestrated by ... [Read Full Article]

Jacqueline Baker, the current Deputy Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK, and Michelle Supersad, who will be travelling from the twin-island state for the occasion, are seeking to claim back the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth crown after African entrants made a clear sweep of the top three places last year.

They are among beauties from at least fourteen national communities will contest the 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth title in the Theatre of the Polish Centre, King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 on Friday evening 18th April 2008. All entrants are recommended by established Caribbean and .... [Read Full Article]

New York, NY (Ms. Raine Inc.): Ms. Triniti, who’s single “Bongce Along” peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hip Hop/R&B Singles Sales Chart last year, is once again setting U.S. airwaves afire with her scorching new single “Wi Burnin (Woy Yoy Yoy).” Already blazing playlists throughout Jamaica, the Caribbean, and Japan, the infectious party-rocking anthem has finally made its U.S. debut, hitting stations from coast to coast with Triniti’s signature blend of Reggae, Hip Hop and R&B—or, as she coins it, “Ragga Hop.”

Written by Ms. Triniti, in collaboration with Dancehall deejay Zumjay, and produced by ... [Read Full Article]

Saturday, 23 February, 2008 - Kingston, Jamaica: Digicel Kick Start Clinics Head Coach, John Barnes together with Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, and FIFA Vice President, President of CONCACAF and the CFU, Austin Jack Warner, today announced the eight Caribbean U20 footballers who have been chosen to train for one week at Sunderland AFC's Academy of Light in late March.

Such was the impressive level of talent that was evidenced during the seven week Digicel tour, the English Premier League club has now agreed to take two additional Caribbean players, after John Barnes highlighted the level of talent he encountered at .... [Read Full Article]

The 1st annual Caribbean Urban Music Awards- launches in Jamaica on the 26th of April 2008 on the prestigious James Bond Beach in Ochios Rios, Jamaica. The Urban Music Awards is one of the biggest international awards ceremonies held in the USA, UK, France, and Germany and broadcast worldwide to an audience of 14.5 million viewers annually.

The UMA’s celebrated its 5th anniversary in 2007 by launching for the first time in New York on the 7th of July 2007. The Urban Music Awards was born out of the need to .... [Read Full Article]

Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad - Feb. 19th 2008 -- International recording and performing artiste Ms. Triniti, known for her unique musical fusion style known as "Ragga Hop", is riding high on the successful release of her latest track "Wi Burnin (Woy Yoy Yoy)" and its Soca remix version.

Ms. Triniti, born and raised in the UK to a Trinidadian Father and American mother, recently launched her new single in the land of Steelpan and Calypso during its Carnival period and received not only wide acceptance but .... [Read Full Article]

Irish and Chin, Inc. is proud to present the 8th installment of their wildly popular World Clash Jamaica "Death Before Dishonor." With lots in store for this year's event, sound clash fans should only draw for their BEST lighters, horns and whistles. World Clash Jamaica promises to exceed its already spectacular reputation in 2008.

As Irish and Chin, Inc. is dedicated to delivering the highest caliber of sound system entertainment to thousands of revelers in Montego Bay on Easter Monday, March 24, they have incorporated a sizzlin' NEW element into .... [Read Full Article]

Philip 7, who received the "Best Rock/Alternative Artist" last month at the 3rd annual Barbados Music Awards with the popular single "Beautiful Surprise", recently released his new alternative track "Nothing Left to Say". Within a few days the song leapt into the no 1 position to claim "Hit of the day" on 98.1 FM and has been receiving steady rotation on all local radio stations.

Having emerged as one of Barbados' leading alternative vocalist, Philip 7 will release yet another single titled .... [Read Full Article]

Kingston, Jamaica:-- The main aim of the "Education Is No Joke" school tour is to sensitize students as to the importance of a good education and motivate them to adopt positive lifestyles. The tour has been reuniting some of Jamaica's most popular artistes with their Alma Maters and this week surprised the students of three schools in different parts of the island. Browns Town High School was visited on Monday, February 11 by Busy Signal, on Tuesday, February 12th D'Angel visited her Alma Mater, St Catherine High and Jose Marti was visited on Wednesday February 13th by Macka Diamond.

The response to the tour has been overwhelming and the welcome from school administrators has been encouraging but .... [Read Full Article]

Morgan Heritage, one of the most influential reggae bands today, have announced that they are set to release their highly anticipated 10th album MISSION IN PROGRESS on April 15, 2008.

Renowned worldwide for their riveting live shows, Morgan's Heritage's new release captures the band bottling the power of its stage performance on disc and infusing its songs with a heavier dose of hip-hop. Produced by Morgan Heritage (with a few songs helmed by Shane Brown and Stephen McGregor son of reggae singer Freddy McGregor), MISSION IN PROGRESS lyrically finds the group continuing their quest to bolster their love for .... [Read Full Article]

Rootz Underground, known for their signature blend of contemporary roots reggae with rock, dub and jazz influence, releases their highly anticipated debut album Movement on March 4th, 2008 on Riverstone Records/Mystic Urchin via Ryko/Warner Music Group. As one of the only modern day bands in Jamaica, Rootz Underground is the ultimate live music experience, similar to the reggae jam bands of the 70s and 80s (Bob Marley and The Wailers, Steel Pulse and Third World). Their fresh fusion of musical genres and .... [Read Full Article]

Anthony B's current US tour has parachuted along the US West coast. According to reports, the tour has been going well and fans have been coming out in their numbers to sample the musical offerings of the firebrand reggae artiste.

The tour kicked off on February 16 at the Ragga Muffins Festival in South Beach, California. The following day the tour moved into Sacramento, California where more than 20,000 patrons reportedly came out to groove to hits like .... [Read Full Article]

By now a lot of people are familiar with the Jamaican/Canadian who created quite a buzz in 2007 with the release of her very controversial hit, “Kum Out”. The song was the basis of several debates and arguments on many airwaves in Jamaica. It talks about domestic abuse from a female perspective and goes as far as encouraging women to retaliate.

Lady Shelly who is known more for her dance/house/techno hits recently returned to her home town of Kingston Jamaica where she has decided to work on a full length album. The announcement was made last week at .... [Read Full Article]

Miami, Fl --- January 10th 2008 --- The beautiful twin isle of Trinidad and Tobago will be showcased during the upcoming ING Miami Marathon, to be held on Sunday, January 27th 2008. Visionz Inc., in collaboration with the Caribbean American Heritage Foundation, CAHFI, will be producing a "TRINBAGO VILLAGE", A Community Fun Zone, which will feature: Steel Pan Music, Authentic Trinidadian Cuisine and Drink, Live Entertainment, giveaways and lots more.

The location of this Community Fun Zone will be 1101 Brickell Ave, in downtown Miami, the last stage immediately before the finish line of the marathon. The entertainment program will commence at 9am and end at 11:30am. The Trinbago Village promises to animate and highlight the .... [Read Full Article]

After a successful tour of Africa in summer of 2007, Marlon Asher is proud to release his new track "Scandals" which he is dedicating to the people of Kenya in this time of political and social crisis.

Asher visited Kenya in August 2007 and was given a warm reception by the people of Nairobi. In a spirit of peace, he is offering this song hoping that harmony is restored to the nation that greeted him with .... [Read Full Article]

There seems to be no stopping Lutan Fyah; coming off a successful festive season Lutan Fyah is now gearing up for the release of his latest album dubbed 'Old Capitol' along with numerous shows slated for the New Year.

Lutan Fyah ended 2007 on a high note as he proved once again the he is one of the most indomitable artistes on the scene. On Saturday, December 15th Lutan Fyah performed at the show, St Jago Dela-Vega in Spanish Town Jamaica. St Jago Dela Vega was a success and brought much needed joy and happiness to Lutan Fyah's fans in .... [Read Full Article]

A surprise road March winner announcement brought the St.Kitts-Nevis National Carnival 2007-08 to a slightly controversial and very exciting end on last lap January 2nd 2008.

The streets of Basseterre were flooded with revelers and mas players jamming to the sounds of various sound systems, dj’s and bands. The air was filled with the top tunes for Carnival 2007-08 which included In De Middle and Naughty Shorty by Small Axe, Walk away by .... [Read Full Article]

Saturday, 5 January – Georgetown, Guyana: Digicel, the largest sponsors of football in the Caribbean, launched the Digicel Kick Start Clinics in Guyana today. Unveiled by FIFA Vice President, President of CONCACAF and CFU, Jack Austin Warner, and accompanied by the Head Coach for the Digicel clinics, former Liverpool and England legend and Caribbean native, John Barnes , the training and development tour will visit eight different Caribbean markets over the next six weeks. At the end of which, John Barnes will select six of the most promising young Caribbean footballers from .... [Read Full Article]

Kingston, Jamaica:- As the New Year dawns in Jamaica, dancehall lovers all over the globe are in a heightened state of anticipation waiting for the premier of Magnum Kings & Queens of Dancehall this Saturday, January 5th 2008 at 9pm on TVJ.

Dancehall music was developed in the late 1970s out of a need for Jamaicans to express themselves in an authentic Jamaican style. With exponents such as Yellow Man and Shabba Ranks, dancehall music over the last thirty years has become the voice of Jamaica and has conquered the hearts of people from .... [Read Full Article]