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News: Shock as Shurwayne Winchester Sweeps National Soca Monarch Finals
Shock then anger was the reaction of the majority upon the announcement that Shurwayne Winchester had dethroned Bunji Garlin to capture the 2006 International Soca Monarch title.
[ Full Story ]
News: Bounty says "Soca music is not the devil music."
"Some people say soca music is devil music but soca music is of the people and any music of the people could never be devil music," Bounty Killer said referring to comments made by Jamaican reggae artiste I Wayne last year.
[ Full Story ]
News: Shurwayne is Soca Monarch 2006
Tobago’s Shurwayne Winchester took both titles of the Power and the Groovy category at this years Soca Monarch competition. More soon!
International Power Soca Monarch
1. Shurwayne Winchester
2. Bunji Garlin
3. Iwer George
4. Nadia Batson
5. Rita Jones
6. Mista Vybe
7. Faye Ann Lyons
8. Miss Alysha
9. Sheldon Douglas
10. Terry Seales
11. Sanell Dempster
International Groovy Soca Monarchs
1 Shurwayne Winchester
2 Zan featuring Patrice Roberts
3. Roderick “Chucky” Gordon
4. Michelle Sylvester
5. Surge
6. Sean Caruth
News: Audio Tape of Busta Rhymes Video Shooting Emerges
 An audio tape recorded before the slaying of rapper Busta Rhymes' bodyguard has surfaced and is reportedly being offered to the media for $50,000.
The 53-minute tape has not been given to police or prosecutors.
The New York Daily News reported that the tape includes the argument that set off the shooting of Israel Ramirez, as well as the voice of the suspected killer, who is believed to have called Rhymes a "b***h."
In addition, a transcript of the tape appears to confirm that G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo was a central figure in the argument.
[ Full Story ]
News: An Interview with Shabba
Ring... Ring...
THE NAME Shabba Ranks has an immediate, razor sharp edge to it. You would want to know right away who this person is without knowing why.
It's psychological: the name 'Shabba' is that of an African king, and 'Ranks' refers to a high position in dancehall. Deejay Shabba Ranks seemed to know from the get go that he would be one of the kings of dancehall.
TING-A-LING-A-LING!
But kings don't reign forever. They live hoping they are not forgotten by their subjects, which is a far worse fate to endure than death. Amnesia does not apply to Rexton Fernando Gordon, though, and we certainly remember his number in 'farin'. Ting-a-ling-a-ling!
[ Full Story ]
News: Ele Goes Clubbing
THE 'ENERGY GOD', Elephant Man has another fun venture that will guarantee even more time with his fans.
He and his manager, 'Q-45' recently opened a sports bar and grill 'Members Only' on Constant Spring Road and says his fans and anyone who loves to eat and hang out will enjoy the place. "It is a place where you can some and eat and enjoy yourself. You can play pool if you want."
THE STAR took a trek to the club before opening hours and even without customers there, the layout was pleasing. Before going up the stairs, there was a large fish tank on the ground, with a small fountain inside. Directly in front of the tank was a VIP room.
Upstairs, there were high leather spin chairs at tables and the bar for drinking, low iron chairs for eating and pool tables throughout.
[ Full Story ]
News: Promoter Names Heavyweight Superstars for Warriors Fete
Beyoncé Knowles, Ludacris, Shakira, Will Smith. These are the superstar heavyweight names that are being thrown around by promoter Roy Maraj as possible hosts for his upcoming Soca Warriors fete on February 24 at the King George V park. The fete, originally scheduled for February 11, was supposed to featured singer Janet Jackson as the host.
But the singer's management has since turned down the offer for Jackson to appear blaming it on health problems. Meantime, recent photographs of an overweight Jackson have surfaced on the internet, with sites reporting that the singer has put on some 50 to 60 pounds on her usually svelte body. At press conference held on February 9, Maraj said he was in talks with the aforementioned superstars to replace Jackson.
News: Mista Vybe to Max Out for C2K6
Somebody say "Ting 4 D road". The words seem to be hanging from the lips of Soca listeners almost everywhere this Carnival season.
Funny enough, it's been hanging around in the mind of the tune's writer, Patrick "Mista Vybe" Gordon for over a year.
"A friend of mine in St Lucia plays with a very popular band there and he sent me a message to check out a video tape of his band backing an artist from St Lucia called Ninja Kat. In the middle of his performance he did this ad-lib that went 'Ting, ting, ta-ting-ting-ting...' the exact beginning of 'Ting 4 D Road'.
As soon as I heard that, the basic idea for the song came to me and I told my friend from the band in St Lucia 'tell Ninja Kat I said thanks for the tune!'
After that I spent a while finding a way to use the word 'ting' in a witty manner to keep the song fun. It occurred to me that in addition to the fact that 'ting' was what Trinis use as the sound of the iron in a rhythm section and also that we use the phrase 'and ting' a lot, Mista Vybe said.
[ Full Story ]
News: Saucy Recording First Album
Denise 'Saucy Wow' Belfon is busy in the studio working on her yet to be titled upcoming album her first since entering the industry over ten years ago.
Belfon, whose 2006 Carnival songs are Leh We Do That written by husband Junior Reid and the Ian Wiltshire written Goodie is expected to include some of her past hits on the 11-track album.
Also featured on the album will be a sequel to Saucy Baby, titled D Saucy Wow.
Next year Belfon is expected to embark on a series of full-length concerts featuring her new band The People's choice.
Video: Shaggy ft Barrington - Broadway
Another big video!!! Off his latest album here is Shaggy ft. Barrington.
[ Shaggy ft Barrington - Broadway ]
--Knockz
Video: Tami Chynn - Tell Mi Seh
I've always said that Tami Chynn was HOT!!!! Check out her latest video.
[ Tami Chynn - Tell Mi Seh ]
--Knockz
News: Soca Monarch Finalists Select Judges
Finalists in the TSTT International Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch competitions were given the opportunity to select their own judges for the final show. For the first time ever organisers of the event, the Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts (CPF), presented a list of 20 persons from which the artistes will choose ten.
This took place at theVIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium on February 7. "There are going to be ten judges in all, five for each competition," Roland Gordon, the competition's judging co-ordinator told the artistes.
"But you are not going to be leaving here knowing who will be judging which competition for obvious reasons because Trinidad is a small place and it is possible for you to get in touch with that person." Gordon said that aspect of the judging would be decided by the management of Soca Monarch.After giving background information on the proposed judges, the artistes present voted for their choice by show of hands.
[ Full Story ]
News: Shurwayne fails to show at Chutney Glow
Road March King Shurwayne Winchester failed to show up at the Chutney Glow show at Screamers 2 in Gulf View, La Romaine, on Saturday night. Promoters Southex Promotions told Newsday that Shurwayne gave no explanation for not perform at the function.
In keeping with the theme of Chutney Glow, "Wear Something White," some 10,000 patrons wore white creating a spectacular effect at the venue as waves of white jumped and danced to the music.
The crowd chanted Shurwanye’s name, calling for his appearance, but patrons clearly had a good time as the seven bands entertained the crowds. Special guest artistes Rasika Dindial, Adesh Samaroo, Kees Dieffanthaller, and Prophet Benjamin were well received by the crowds.
The show started just after 8 pm with the band Divya, and ended at 4 am with the performance of Anil Bheem and his band "The Bheemas." Also playing were Dil-E-Nadan, SSL Melobugz, JMC 3Veni, Karma, and TTEC Gayatones. The Clico Shiv Shakti dancers performed a specially remixed Soca and Chutney soca with routines choreographed by Michael Salickram who also led the performance on stage.
News: Cops stop Machel 10 minutes into show
Last Friday's Republic Bank Fete at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, ended on a jarring note as police stopped the music just ten minutes into Machel Montano's performance.
Montano, who had a previous engagement at the Zen nightclub on Keate Street, Port of Spain, arrived at the all-inclusive fete around 3 a.m. and performed for about five minutes, before announcing he had only five minutes more.
His time up, he walked off the stage and exited the venue, leaving behind disgruntled patrons who had waited for hours to see him perform.
[ Full Story ]
News: In Time for 'D Soca Zone'
 A FRESH SLATE of songs has been released in time for the soca season and among them, is the compilation CD, titled D' Soca Zone.
D' Soca Zone, a compilation of 18 tracks featuring an array of soca artistes, will inject much life and energy into the musical excitement of this year's soca activities.
The CD starts with Kevin Lyttle declaring how happy he is to be Home For Carnival. In his typical style, Kevin Lyttle's tempo and sound combines well with the bouncy soca rhythm, and his mixture of singing fast and slow, where the rhythm requires, ignites additional fire to the overall delivery of the song.
The second track, Mr. DJ's Waistline Shotz, is introduced slowly, almost starting out like something out of an opera, before the fast-tempo soca rhythm was added. This is definitely one that will have the waistlines gyrating.
Edwin Yearwood and Sakito with their song, Keep Rolling It continues to maintain the vibes, throwing a little Spanish into the flow of the tune. Persons may not readily pick up what is being said, but the punch line (the song's title) is clear.
[ Full Story ]
News: Nanko Strikes Back with From Ever Since
After topping the local and overseas reggae charts with his debut single Lucky You, fans can expect even better recordings from newcomer and Downsound recording artiste Nanko. This column caught up with the artiste recently with his debut album in progress.
His latest single, From Ever Since finds the crooner trekking on unfamiliar territory. "The song is about anybody who misses someone deeply. You might not see the person physically, but spiritually they are there", Nanko explained.
[ Full Story ]
News: Mr Vybe Takes Top Spot at Soca Monarch Semi's
Mr Vybe, who is currently ruling the airwaves with his road march contender "Ting for the Road", emerged the winner of the Soca Monarch semi-finals held on January 29 at the Soca Broadway, Hasley Crawford Stadium.
With a total of 261 points, Mr Vybe, born Patrick Gordon, led the competition narrowly beating former Soca Monarch Iwer George (on 260 point) into second place. Shurwayne Winchester placed third and Rita Jones fourth.
Faye Ann Lyons, Sheldon Douglas, Sanell Dempster, Terry Seales, Nadia Batson and Miss Alysha are the other finalists who will be vying with reigning Soca Monarch Bunji Garlin for a top prize worth over TT$600,000.
This year the Finals feature guest appearances by Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Machel Montano and Xtatik (appearing at Soca Monarch exclusively on that night), KMC and the Red, White & Black band and Destra Garcia.
The finals of the TSTT International Soca Monarch competition will be held on Friday February 24, a day dubbed Fantastic Friday, at the Hasley Crawford Stadium.
News: Caribbean Vibrations to Showcase Trini Carnival
Caribbean Vibrations, the Caribbean show out of Canada, will present a special on Caribbean Festivals that will include Trinidad Carnival 2006. Caribbean Vibrations is presented by Royette an actress and Music Video director.
Royette is also the President of Royalty Productions and is currently looking to cast acting roles for her new Caribbean Relationship/Drama feature-length movie while she is in Trinidad.The movie is set to be released in January 2007.
For the special Royette will also showcase several mas bands. The footage will be aired on Caribbean Vibrations and be released worldwide in early April.
Locally, Caribbean Vibrations is aired on Synergy TV.
News: This Time It's Denise Belfon and Kinday
January 31, 2006 – POS: Soca diva Denise "Saucy Wow" Belfon and the lyrical dynamo Kinday (formerly Akinde of Kindred) have combined efforts for a unique and highly anticipated track entitled "This Time". The song, 3 months in the making, was produced by Daryl Braxton (producer of Buni Garlin and KMC) and mixed by Mark Wright (former engineer for Machel Montano and Xtatik) and is geared primarily for carnival revelers.
Both artistes have often spoken about collaborating for a single, ever since they got together for a guest appearance in Machel Montano's "Big Truck" music video. "I've always dreamed of working with Denise. I know she might just mash me up with winery but I love the challenge, mih back strong." Kinday laughs. "This Time" was written by Kinday but the artistes have shared equal release credit with the very strong possibility of the track appearing on both their albums.
Currently Denise Belfon and her band "People's Choice" have been performing at numerous shows around T&T for the 2006 carnival season while Kinday has been steadily working at his Third Degree studio, on his upcoming album "Voice Of My Soul" due for release in late spring 2006 on an independent label in California.
[ Full Story ]
News: Dave Chappelle on Oprah this Friday
Dave Chappelle will make his first television appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show this Friday (Feb. 3) to explain his sudden disappearance last year after announcing a $50 million dollar deal with Comedy Central. Chappelle gained headlines worldwide when he suddenly disappeared from the set of The Chappelle Show last year and reemerged in South Africa, in the middle of production for the show's third season. In related news, Dave Chappelle's Block Party will open in theaters Mar. 3. The movie was shot in Brooklyn, New York in 2004 and is produced by Rogue Pictures. It features new stand-up material by Chappelle and exclusive performances by Kanye West, The Roots, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Wyclef, Kool G. Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Lauryn Hill and others. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michel Gondry directed the film, which is Rated R.
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