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Rikki Jai crowned 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch
- Published 20-Feb-11
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and several of her government ministers were on hand to present the cheque to Rikki Jai, who is also known as Samraj Jaimungal. The People’s Partnership government had promised two-million-dollars to winners of all the major Carnival competitions and Mr. Jaimungal is the first to benefit from this Carnival initiative.
Speaking before thousands at Skinner Park in San Fernando earlier today, the Prime Minister said she was proud and happy to be part of the tremendous success of the first show. Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston Gypsy Peters echoed similar sentiments and also serenaded the crowd in an extempore on unity.
The winner was chosen by online voting and texting and Rikki Jai received 18,285 votes to win his two-million-dollar bounty. The new Chutney Monarch was overwhelmed as he accepted the cheque from the Prime Minister who was flanked by her Cabinet Ministers. This is his sixth win at the Chutney Soca Monarch competition. He previously won in 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999 and 1998.
The Second place winner was last year’s winner Ravi B who scored 11, 181 votes for the song Cyah Cum. Third place went to K.I. Persad. He scored 10, 451 votes for the song No More Rum Again.
Source: ctntworld.com
Trinidad's First President Sir Ellis Clark Dies At 92
- Published 31-Dec-10
Nicki Minaj Paid Too Much, Say Trinidad Officials
- Published 09-Dec-10
According to reports, a government official in Minaj's hometown is not pleased with the cost of the concert and is asking for an investigation to take place. The concert took place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain and was put together by the organizations Project Records and Trinidad's Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.
While local acts also performed at the event, Minaj apparently racked up the most mula: $382,000. According to theboombox.com, an additional $60,000 was spent on hotel, $150,000 on advertising, $75,000 on the venue, $32,000 was given to the Copyright Organization of Trinidad and Tobago, $40,000 on other artists, and $26,000 for "cultural acts."
Darryl Braxton of Project Records says the event was put together off the good faith of others, through sponsorships from local companies and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, as well as his own contributions. He alleges "the show didn't make any money. I did not make a cent. I am still owing money," he said during an interview.
Gregory Isaacs Dead At 59
- Published 25-Oct-10
Isaacs, best known for his bubbling 1982 hit "Night Nurse," gained his nickname as a result of his 1978 album, Cool Ruler, on which he perfected the reggae style known as "lover's rock," a swaying, bouncy sound that mixed the insistent thrum and downbeat of the Jamaican islands with a 1950s R&B crooner-style vocal.
"Gregory was well-loved by everyone, his fans and his family, and he worked really hard to make sure he delivered the music they loved and enjoyed," his wife Linda said in a statement.
Mistrial declared for Buju Banton
- Published 27-Sep-10
TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida drug trial of Jamaican reggae artist Buju Banton ended in a mistrial on Monday when jurors said they could not agree on a verdict after three days of deliberations.
Banton, 37, was arrested in December in Sarasota, Florida, and charged with conspiring to buy 11 pounds of cocaine from an undercover police informant. He has been held without bail since his arrest.
The 12-member jury had been meeting since Thursday after a four-day trial at the U.S. Courthouse in Tampa. U.S. District Judge James Moody said a retrial would not begin until at least December.
Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, could face life in prison if convicted. His defense attorney argued that the entertainer was tricked by the informant, a convicted cocaine smuggler who avoided prison by agreeing to work as an informant.
(Reporting by Robert Green, editing by Greg McCune)
Soca star Arrow dies
- Published 15-Sep-10
Outside the Caribbean, many know soca music, a fast-paced cousin of calypso, through Arrow's biggest hit Hot, Hot, Hot, recorded in 1982.
Sixty-year-old Arrow, whose real name is Alphonsus Edmund Cassell, had been fighting brain cancer for over a year and had been back and forth for treatment in the US.
However, upon returning home to his native Montserrat, he fell ill recently with pneumonia and was hospitalised in neighbouring Antigua.
Yendi Phillips, Miss Jamaica: The first runner up of Miss Universe 2010
- Published 24-Aug-10
At the start of the contest when Yendi Phillips was lined into the final 15 contestants, it was a historic accomplishment. Yendi Phillips then got shortlisted to the final 10 and this brought with it a joyful experience for her and her nation. The moment Yendi Phillips was placed amongst the top 5, hopes of Jamaicans got high even further.
Finally Yendi Phillips was declared the first runner-up of the Miss Universe 2010 contest. At the declaration of Yendi Phillips as the first runner up the Jamaican nation simply boogied to the bang by drumming the feet.
Venezuela signs energy accord with Trinidad and Tobago
- Published 19-Aug-10
“For Venezuela it signifies we will have available gas volumes that we have on our side of the Deltana Platform, to continue sending gas to the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho gas complex and eventually for our projects to export gas,” said Venezuela’s Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez.
“This is a start, and we are going to be looking towards other areas where accords can be made,” said Trinidad and Tobago Energy Minister Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, who added, “Our experience with exploration lately has not been as fruitful as in previous years.”
Ahead of her arrival in Venezuela, Seepersad-Bachan said the cross-border field, estimated to hold 10 tcf of gas, has been under discussion for almost 20 years.
Venezuela’s share of the unitized field will be 73.06% while Trinidad and Tobago’s take will be 26.94%.
Grenada Soca Monarch Finalists named
- Published 27-Jul-10
01. Zingo
02. Otis
03. Lunispark and Electrify
04. Randy Isaac
05. Terror Kid
06. Inspector
07. Maximillion
08. Hammer
09. Brother B
10. Sugar J
11. Short pree
12. Super Star
13. Sheldon Douglas
14. Squeezie
15. Nekoyan Bain
Plus the defending Soca Monarch King... Mr. Killa
Finals takes place in Grenada's National Stadium on Friday 6th August 2010.
It can be seen online @ www.spicemasgrenada.com
Vybz Kartel to Turn Self In Today (June 30th, 2010) - Official Statement
- Published 30-Jun-10
"I, like millions of other Jamaicans, have certain concerns about the violation of my civil rights and liberties during this State of Emergency, however, I will grant the police an audience this morning as they have declared me a "major person of interest", and placed my name on a list populated by alleged criminals."
"This is not the first time that the police force has attempted to smear my reputation based on undeveloped assumptions and ridiculous rumors, but as it happened then, I know I will be exonerated once again. I have nothing to fear. Fear makes men believe the worst, but I believe in our justice system, however flawed it may be, and remain confident that the security will act with professionalism in this matter."
"I have engaged legal counsel in this matter, and the truth will prevail. I know I will be exonerated." Although, Kartel has had a challenging year with artists and the police closing down his studio in the neighborhood of Havendale he still continues to be one of dancehall's top selling artists in the US, France, and England.
Gyptian recovering from motorcycle accident
- Published 08-Jun-10
In the mean time Gyptian would like to thank all his fans and supporters for their concern and for keeping him in their prayers.
Trinidad Elects First Female Prime Minister
- Published 26-May-10
Trinidad and Tobago will make a monumental move today when the country swears in its first female Prime Minister.
58-year-old Kamla Persad-Bissessar will be sworn in today at 4 p.m.
Bissessar led her People's Partnership coalition to a victory over the current Prime Minister Patrick Manning in Monday's election, winning 29 of the 41 seats in Parliament.
The newly elected Prime Minister is preparing to embark on a 120 day plan to lower the country's rising murder rate, offer free computers to students and increase pension for senior citizens.
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