On 26 October, the exact day of his 24th birthday, talented Grenadian violinist Jelani Moses pulled off an extraordinary endurance feat at the Plains Playing Field in the parish of St Patrick, logging a reported 40 hours, 38 minutes and 3 seconds of non-stop violin play to chase the Guinness World Records (GWR) title for the longest marathon playing the instrument. For Moses, the timing of the challenge made the achievement feel all the more momentous. “How many people can say they broke a world record on their own birthday? This is the kind of legendary milestone I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” he shared in a post-attempt interview with local outlet NOW Grenada. The marathon, which followed strict GWR rules including rigorous limits on permitted intervals between consecutive songs, was the culmination of eight months of grueling training and personal sacrifice for the young musician. The entire event drew overwhelming grassroots support from across the Grenadian community: dozens of local residents, including groups of young people, stayed up through the overnight hours to cheer him on, even when he hit a wall of crippling exhaustion around the 15-hour mark that he later credited the crowd’s energy for helping him push past. High-profile political figures also turned out to show their backing: sitting Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, who had publicly endorsed Moses’ bid in the lead-up to the event, stopped by the playing field to join him for an impromptu jam session on the drums, while Opposition Leader Emmalin Pierre also made an appearance to offer her encouragement. Moses went out of his way to recognize key individual supporters, including WeeFM reporter Donisha Alexander who provided on-the-ground coverage and moral support for the full duration of the marathon, and a dedicated fan named Shereen who stood by him through the most grueling stretches. A pre-announced collaborative “UNBROKEN” concert featuring local musicians performing alongside Moses was ultimately scrapped, but that did little to dampen the celebratory mood around the attempt. Still, the milestone is not yet official. Moses and his small support team are currently in the process of sorting through dozens of hours of raw video footage, editing the extensive recordings into properly segmented, verifiable clips to submit for formal GWR review. The existing standing record for the longest violin marathon, set earlier in 2024 by India’s Ravi Chandulal Kotadiya, stands at 40 hours, 5 minutes and 6 seconds – meaning Moses’ unofficial time clears the benchmark by more than 33 minutes. “I have all the documentation that proves I outplayed the previous record, but that doesn’t mean I am automatically in the official GWR books,” Moses clarified, noting that the independent record-keeping body will conduct a full, rigorous audit of all submitted evidence before issuing any formal title confirmation. In the wake of the physically draining marathon, Moses said he is now prioritizing rest and recovery, adding that his fingers still bear the soreness from the multi-day non-stop performance. He has not yet made a final decision on whether he will pursue additional world record attempts in the future, but promised to share the full official verdict from GWR with the public as soon as the review process wraps up. Beyond his own record chase, Moses used the high-profile moment to deliver an uplifting message to young people across Grenada, urging them to stay focused on their goals even when faced with outside doubt or negative pushback. “Take every bit of skepticism and every moment of discouragement, and let that fuel you to push past limits you never thought you could reach. Don’t let temporary setbacks tell you what you are capable of achieving,” he advised.
分类： entertainment
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Kimora Edwards to represent Grenada at Caribbean teen pageant
As the calendar counts down to 30 December 2026, the small Caribbean island nation of Grenada is rallying behind 18-year-old trailblazer Kimora Edwards, who will carry the country’s flag at the 44th annual Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant hosted in St Kitts and Nevis. For Edwards, the upcoming regional appearance marks the realization of a long-held childhood dream, cemented earlier this year when she made history as the very first recipient of the newly launched Miss Grenada Teen crown.
Edwards claimed the national title on 18 July after competing as the representative for the parish of St Andrew, outshining six fellow contestants to take the top spot with a final score of 311.15 points. Her standout performance earned her four distinct special accolades: the People’s Choice Award, Best Interview honor, Best Talent recognition, and the First Impact Award for her memorable opening impression. Far from viewing her national victory as a personal trophy alone, Edwards has framed her win as a platform to motivate her fellow young Grenadians to push past self-imposed limits and chase their unfulfilled aspirations.
When she steps onto the regional pageant stage in St Kitts and Nevis, Edwards will go head-to-head with nine other accomplished teen delegates drawn from across the Caribbean region, representing St Vincent and the Grenadines, the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St Lucia, St. Croix, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and the host nation St Kitts and Nevis. This year’s pageant operates under the official theme “Radiant Treasures of the Caribbean,” which tasks every finalist with highlighting a unique cultural or national treasure originating from their home country. Edwards has kept her specific national treasure selection tightly under wraps as a surprise for the live audience, but has confirmed her featured talent presentation will center on the critical social issue of gender-based violence, drawing attention to a cause she is deeply passionate about. She shared that she felt a whirlwind of eager excitement mixed with gentle nerves when she first learned she had earned the chance to represent Grenada on the regional stage, noting that her core goal is to honor the rich culture and warm spirit of her compatriots with every appearance. “Grenada is a small island, but we have a large spirit,” she remarked, emphasizing the depth of national pride she aims to convey.
Balancing rigorous pageant preparation with her academic responsibilities as a second-year student at T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) has required Edwards to master intentional, disciplined time management. Her current course load includes English Literature, English Language, and Business Management, meaning she has had to juggle exam study schedules, coursework deadlines, speech drafting, and practice for the pageant’s intensive question-and-answer segments. She even completed scheduled final exams in the middle of her national pageant run, an experience that taught her to navigate the overlapping demands of academics, pageantry, and personal well-being with poise. Edwards noted that all her ongoing preparations are progressing smoothly, driven by the fact that this regional platform is an opportunity she has spent years hoping to access, and she is fully dedicated to delivering her very best performance.
As the inaugural Miss Grenada Teen, Edwards also holds an official role as a youth ambassador for the duration of her reign, with commitments to participate in a wide range of community outreach programs, educational advocacy initiatives, and local charitable projects. Pageant organizers have already coordinated a full slate of upcoming public engagements designed to let Grenadians connect with her beyond the pageant stage, highlighting her work as a community leader. A dedicated support team is backing her as she prepares for the regional competition, including her mother Tara Edwards, current chaperone Jamal Alexis, former chaperone Gariah Walker, and Dr Keymal Williams, the founder of the Miss Grenada Teen Pageant, who spearheaded all coordination efforts to secure Edwards’ spot in the regional contest.
Looking ahead beyond the pageant, Edwards has laid out ambitious long-term goals: she plans to pursue a career in education as a teacher, and eventually launch her own enterprise that creates dedicated space for young emerging entrepreneurs across Grenada to showcase their skills and creative work. For now, however, her full focus remains on making a memorable, positive impression at the Haynes Smith pageant, where she has the chance to etch her name into Grenada’s pageant history. Three prior Grenadian delegates have claimed the regional title before her: Natalie Isaac, who won in 1992, the very first year Grenada joined the competition, Cathisha Williams in 2004, and Nandy Noel in 2010. Edwards will have the rare chance to join this distinguished list of winners while celebrating Grenada’s unique talent and vibrant culture alongside a cohort of exceptional young women from every corner of the Caribbean. *Disclaimer: NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.*
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Chef Tita and Aguají earn top honors at Fine Dining Table International Gala
San Salvador, El Salvador — At a glittering inaugural Fine Dining Table International Gala hosted at El Salvador’s iconic National Palace, celebrated Dominican culinary icon Inés Páez Nin, universally known across the Caribbean and Latin America as Chef Tita, claimed two landmark international accolades that cement her status as a leading guardian of Dominican culinary heritage. Held as the flagship event of Fine Dining Week El Salvador 2026, the regional gathering brought together 508 nominated restaurants and unique gastronomic experiences spanning 16 nations across Latin America, Spain, and the United States for a sweeping industry recognition program. The gala’s most prestigious award, the Tres Fuegos distinction from the Los Fuegos 2026 ranking, was bestowed upon Chef Tita’s flagship establishment Aguají by Chef Tita, marking the first Dominican restaurant to earn the elite tier honor. Reserved exclusively for dining experiences deemed capable of leaving an enduring, cross-generational legacy on global gastronomy, the Tres Fuegos designation evaluates far more than just culinary execution: judges assessed eight holistic criteria including culinary creativity, hospitality standards, service precision, spatial design, cultural identity, ambient atmosphere, operational consistency, and the lasting emotional resonance of the full guest journey. Aguají now stands alongside a rarefied cohort of world-renowned Latin American gastronomy leaders, including Peru’s Central and Maido, Chile’s Boragó, Argentina’s Don Julio, and Colombia’s Leo, placing Dominican fine dining on the global culinary map for the first time at this elite ranking level. Beyond the restaurant’s award, the gala jury also honored Chef Tita individually for her 20-plus years of relentless dedication to elevating Dominican cuisine, through her work reviving and reimagining long-overlooked ancestral recipes, prioritizing hyper-local, domestically sourced ingredients, and safeguarding the island nation’s centuries-old culinary traditions. Operating through both her award-winning restaurant and the non-profit IMA Foundation she founded, Chef Tita has built far-reaching collaborative initiatives that bridge the world of haute cuisine directly to small-scale local farmers, artisanal fishermen, independent craftspeople, and marginalized rural communities, leveraging gastronomy as a powerful engine for inclusive economic growth and equitable social development across the Dominican Republic. Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of the dual honors, an emotional Chef Tita noted, “We continue to pave the way for Dominican Republic gastronomy, and that fills me with great pride.” The dual recognitions position both Aguají and Chef Tita at the forefront of a new generation of global culinary ambassadors, who are bringing the rich, layered flavors and distinct cultural identity of the Dominican Republic to an international audience of food lovers and industry leaders.
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Through Their Eyes: Scotiabank helps students discover the power of art at FUZE
What some might dismiss as a simple casual yellow outerwear piece redefined one Bahamian high school student’s entire understanding of what qualifies as creative art. For a peer, a thought-provoking sculpture centered on marine and land pollution uncovered unexpected aesthetic beauty in discarded, burnt materials that most people would overlook entirely. These moments of revelation unfolded across every corner of the FUZE Art Fair, where hundreds of participating students encountered immersive, boundary-pushing artworks that encouraged them to slow down, examine details closely, ask critical questions about the stories behind each piece, and brainstorm innovative new methods to express their own unique perspectives. For the second year running, Scotiabank has formalized its collaborative partnership with the Baha Mar Foundation to sponsor the dedicated FUZE student school tour program, held as a core featured component of the Scotiabank-presented Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival at Baha Mar. These curated guided tours granted K-12 student attendees exclusive access to a diverse collection of artworks originating from The Bahamas, the broader Caribbean region, and creative communities across the globe, along with rare face-to-face meetings with the creators themselves to unpack the personal narratives, cultural contexts, and conceptual frameworks that shaped each finished piece. Dozens of trained Scotiabank staff members volunteered to serve as on-site tour guides, walking alongside student groups to facilitate discussions, point out subtle details in exhibits, and help facilitate direct, meaningful interactions between young attendees and visiting professional artists. For 11th grader Takarie Brown from the International School of Business and Economics (ISBET), the seemingly ordinary yellow jacket art installation served as a transformative eureka moment. “That exhibit completely shifted my way of thinking, I never realized that fashion design could be categorized as a legitimate form of fine art too. It shows you that there are no limits to how you can share your personality and voice with the world,” Brown shared. The opportunity to demystify the creative process and show young people all the untapped possibilities that art can unlock is exactly what drives Roger Archer, Managing Director of Scotiabank Bahamas, to champion this long-term partnership and the student tour initiative. “Investing in and elevating the domestic arts ecosystem across The Bahamas is a core priority for our organization. Art is one of the most powerful tools we have to preserve our collective cultural stories and bridge generational divides,” Archer explained. “Welcoming hundreds of students through the fair doors over the course of the festival week let us showcase pieces that authentically capture our shared identity as Caribbean citizens, and specifically as Bahamians, so these young people can see clearly that they hold the power to pick up a brush, a camera, or any other medium to carry those stories forward.” 10th grade Government High School attendee J’Leiah Johnson found herself immediately drawn to a large-scale sculptural installation that centered the urgent issue of local environmental pollution. Its towering geometric forms constructed from charred reclaimed materials immediately caught her eye, demonstrating firsthand how a pressing, often disheartening environmental challenge could be reimagined and transformed into a visually striking, thoughtful work of art. Her 12th grade classmate Suze Augustin left the fair with a renewed surge of creative motivation, after witnessing the step-by-step process through which professional artists translate abstract, half-formed ideas in their heads into tangible, finished public art pieces. The experience pushed her to stop putting off her own creative projects, and start sketching her concepts on paper with far greater confidence in her own abilities. This year’s programming also falls during a major milestone for Scotiabank, as the institution marks 70 consecutive years of operating and serving communities across The Bahamas. Its ongoing commitment to funding the FUZE student tours stands as a tangible reflection of its long-stated pledge to invest in local youth, and create accessible, hands-on opportunities for young Bahamians to learn, explore new interests, and unlock their full untapped potential. For local educators, the FUZE fair represents an invaluable, hands-on extension of standard classroom learning that breaks down the walls of traditional academic spaces. Rashelle Thompson Wright, Visual Arts Subject Coordinator at Government High School, noted that the chance to meet working professional artists and view their work in person helped her students dismantle the common misconception that a creative career is something they can only pursue years later, after finishing university. “They realize this isn’t a path you have to wait until you leave home and go off to college to start. You can nurture and develop your creative skills right now, starting in your high school art classroom,” Wright emphasized. Cian Sawyer, founder of Holon Learning, who brought student groups to the fair for the second consecutive year, explained that exposing young people to art that centers Bahamian and wider Caribbean cultural themes gives them a rare, meaningful chance to connect more deeply with their own cultural identities and shared community histories. “My greatest hope is that every student walks away from this event feeling a stronger sense of rootedness in their own Bahamian heritage, while also feeling connected to the wider regional Caribbean community. I want them to leave feeling genuinely inspired, to have encountered unexpected beauty, and to leave with more curious questions than they arrived with,” Sawyer shared. Through its sustained, multi-year support of the FUZE school tour program, Scotiabank is creating lasting, accessible pathways for Bahamian young people to engage with the arts, deepen their connection to their unique cultural heritage, and dream up bold new possibilities for their own creative futures.
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Carnival Queens set for regional pageants
The official Saint Lucia Carnival governing body, Lucian Carnival, has formally announced that the island’s current reigning Carnival queens, Faith Edward and Nyaley Lewis, will take on regional representative roles for two high-profile Caribbean pageant events scheduled for 2027. Edward is set to compete in the Miss Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Pageant, slated to unfold on January 28, 2027, in Dominica. Centered around the dynamic theme “Island Flames – United in Beauty and Purpose”, the pan-regional competition will gather accomplished young women from all OECS member nations to spotlight a holistic blend of personal talent, cultural pride, community leadership, and inclusive beauty ideals that transcend superficial standards. For her part, Lewis will carry Saint Lucia’s banner at the St. Maarten Carnival Caribbean Queen Pageant, which is scheduled for April 22, 2027. Built around the core theme “Crowning the Culture”, this pageant is designed to center the unique ancestral heritage, centuries-old Carnival rituals, and distinct creative traditions of every participating Caribbean territory, positioning cultural stewardship as a core metric for contestant success. A photo distributed by the Carnival Planning and Management Committee (CPMC) shows Edward and Lewis side by side, with Edward pictured on the left and Lewis on the right, ahead of their official preparation kickoff. Trevor King, chair of Saint Lucia’s National Carnival Queen Pageant Committee, shared unwavering optimism about the pair’s upcoming regional run. “We are immensely proud of both Faith and Nyaley,” King stated. “They perfectly personify the warmth, unshakable confidence, and deep-rooted cultural loyalty that define the people of Saint Lucia, and we have full faith they will bear our national flag with grace, and deliver performances that make every citizen proud on the regional stage.” Beyond competing for pageant titles, the two queens will serve as official cultural ambassadors throughout their tenure, tasked with amplifying Saint Lucia’s world-famous Carnival legacy, creative industries, and vibrant island culture to tens of thousands of audience members across the Caribbean. Lucian Carnival has extended a public call for grassroots community members, local corporate sponsors, and regional well-wishers to rally behind Edward and Lewis as they embark on months of targeted training, cultural outreach, and competition preparation in the lead-up to their 2027 appearances.
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Midnight Groovers Manager Reynold Alcendor calls for music education in schools, recording studio and greater youth opportunities in Dominica
Fresh off a showstopping Friday night set at the 2026 World Creole Music Festival (WCMF), legendary Dominican cadence group Midnight Groovers, known affectionately as the “Kings of Cadence”, is pushing for sweeping structural changes to nurture the next generation of musical talent across the Caribbean island. Led by band manager Reynold Alcendor, the group made the passionate appeal in a post-performance interview, moments after sharing the WCMF main stage with two young French rising musicians who joined them for a standout collaborative segment that wowed the packed festival crowd. Founded all the way back in 1972 in the coastal community of Grand Bay by brothers Gregory “Chubby” Mark and Marcel “Coe” Mark, the iconic band has spent more than 50 years anchoring Dominica’s rich creole music heritage, and their latest festival set delivered a polished, sonically refined sound engineered by a top-tier French audio specialist who has previously worked with iconic French Caribbean group Kassav. Alcendor framed the unforgettable collaborative Friday night performance as just the opening chapter of a broader movement to empower local Dominican youth through music, calling on national authorities to embed formal music education as a core component of the national school curriculum, and establish a dedicated island-wide music school that trains young artists across a full spectrum of genres, not just traditional cadence. The band manager also highlighted critical gaps in Dominica’s local music infrastructure, noting that the group had to fly in the award-winning French audio engineer for their WCMF set because of a lack of local specialized talent and high-quality, accessible recording studios. He urged the Dominican government to make targeted public investments in professional recording facilities and local audio engineering training programs, arguing that such investments would not only keep more production work on the island but also create sustainable, creative career pathways for young people to stay engaged in productive, culturally meaningful work rather than facing limited economic opportunities.
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Martinique’s Maureen Voyer hails WCMF debut; Colton T reflects on challenges during performance
The 26th iteration of the iconic World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) kicked off on October 23 in Dominica, marking a landmark career milestone for Martinique-based creative Maureen Voyer, who earned the honor of delivering the event’s opening set. For Voyer, the performance coincided with her very first trip to Dominica, a journey that exceeded every one of her pre-event expectations. In a post-show exclusive interview, Voyer shared that her core goal when stepping onto the stage was to forge an immediate, intimate bond with the local crowd, sharing her distinctive creative energy and full artistic world to introduce audiences to her body of work. She lauded Dominica’s residents for their overwhelmingly warm, welcoming reception, noting that the laid-back, vibrant cultural vibe made her feel instantly at home, despite never having visited the island before. Voyer went on to express a heartfelt hope that the festival would spark a sustained cultural exchange between the two neighboring Caribbean islands: she advocated for more frequent cross-visits between Martinique and Dominica’s artistic communities, noting that the two populations share deep cultural similarities that have yet to be fully explored. She confirmed she would jump at the chance to return to Dominica for future events if invited. While Voyer’s debut experience was uniformly positive, homegrown Dominican Dancehall talent Colton “Colton T” Thomas faced unexpected last-minute challenges during his festival set. The artist revealed that technical scheduling cuts left his team with only 20 minutes to deliver a fully rehearsed, carefully curated performance that had been planned for a far longer runtime. Forced to rearrange his entire setlist on the spot mid-show, Colton T noted the entire performance felt rushed, but he was quick to praise the local audience for their remarkable patience and unwavering support through the unplanned disruption. He emphasized that his team had poured extensive effort into preparing for the famously discerning Dominican festival crowd, running multiple rounds of rehearsals and conducting deep local market research to craft a set that blended modern Dancehall energy with beloved local Bouyon music rhythms, including both high-tempo party tracks and smooth, slower-paced modern cuts. He highlighted that his 2026 breakout hit “Rule You” landed particularly well with the crowd, as fans joined in to dance the traditional local cultural moves to the track’s infectious Bouyon-infused beat. The three-day 26th WCMF also featured standout sets from a stacked lineup of regional and international talent, including KLASS, legendary reggae artist Capleton, Dominican star TK International, the iconic Midnight Groovers, Skillibeng, Ridge & Pudaz, and fan-favorite DJ duo MJ & MV.
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NBD’s Samantha Bazil of Wesley, pledges to promote culture with Miss Wob Dwiyet 2026 title
The National Bank of Dominica (NBD) has publicly celebrated a landmark achievement for one of its core team members this week, as Samantha Bazil, a Wesley-based accountant employed by the national financial institution, claimed the coveted 2026 Miss Wob Dwiyet title at the official pageant hosted at the Massacre indoor facility. Bazil stood out among the full roster of contestants to take home not only the top overall crown but also two standout specialty honors: the Best in Wob Dwiyet award, which recognizes exceptional embodiment of traditional Dominican cultural attire, and the fan-voted People’s Choice Award, a testament to widespread public support for her campaign. In an official public statement, NBD leadership extended warm, enthusiastic congratulations to their longstanding staff member, noting that the entire bank community takes immense pride in celebrating her hard-earned victory. Moments after being crowned, Bazil shared her immediate reaction with local media, emphasizing that her triumph is far from a personal individual milestone. “This win does not belong to me alone – it is a victory for every member of Team NBD,” she shared, referencing the consistent encouragement she received from her colleagues throughout her pageant preparation journey. She went on to acknowledge the months of rigorous, demanding work that led to her final success, noting that every hour of effort was made worthwhile by the outpouring of community and workplace support that carried her across the finish line. Looking ahead to her one-year reign, Bazil has laid out clear, community-focused priorities centered on elevating Dominican Creole cultural visibility in her home northeastern district. She has pledged to create more accessible pathways for young people across the region to participate in future Wob Dwiyet pageants, ensuring that more local communities get the chance to send representatives to showcase their culture on the national stage. The 2026 pageant also recognized a strong cohort of other top performers: Deniscia Laurent of Petite Soufriere took the first runner-up position, sweeping three additional awards including Best Performing Talent, Best in Creole Spectacular Wear, and Miss Photogenic. Ta-Donna Cornelius, a Portsmouth resident, claimed the third-place spot, while Roseau’s Addisa Jno Baptiste rounded out the top four contestants.
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Lady Williams Presents $15,000 Cheque to Support Antigua and Barbuda Community Players Ahead of CHOGM Performances
At an official ceremony hosted at Antigua and Barbuda’s Government House, Her Excellency Lady Sandra Williams, acting in an official capacity for the Halo Foundation, formally handed over a $15,000 grant cheque to Rudolph Davis, the lead of the longstanding Antigua and Barbuda Community Players, to cover critical production and rehearsal costs for the group’s upcoming performances at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). During the presentation, Lady Williams voiced unwavering endorsement for the decades-old cultural troupe, emphasizing that the upcoming international gathering presents a rare, high-visibility platform to showcase the unique cultural identity, creative spirit and indigenous performance heritage of Antigua and Barbuda to hundreds of visiting diplomatic delegations and global partners. She also issued a deliberate call to prioritize the preservation of traditional local art forms, warning against sidelining time-honoured folk performance practices in favour of fleeting, trendy contemporary acts that do not reflect the nation’s distinct cultural roots. The financial support arrives at a particularly meaningful juncture for the Community Players, which is marking its 75th anniversary this year, and recently secured formal patronage from Their Excellencies Sir Rodney and Lady Williams in recognition of its seven-decade legacy of shaping the country’s cultural landscape. The troupe’s storied history includes a transformative era of leadership under Dame Yvonne Maginley, the former Director General of Tourism for Antigua and Barbuda, who took on the role of the group’s Musical Director starting in 1957. Dame Maginley was widely celebrated across the Caribbean for her pioneering work integrating local folk performance into national tourism and cultural outreach strategies. Notably, Dame Maginley was also the direct professional supervisor of a young Lady Williams early in her career, when the future dignitary completed specialized training in conference and incentive tourism in Austria. Lady Williams would later go on to earn a competitive Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Tourism Management at the University of Surrey, building a career path deeply tied to advancing the twin goals of national cultural promotion and sustainable tourism development. The newly disbursed $15,000 allocation will be directed to finalize full cast rehearsals, procure costumes and production materials, and refine all technical elements of the troupe’s CHOGM showcase, ensuring the group can deliver a polished, authentic presentation of Antiguan and Barbudan performance art for the global Commonwealth audience.
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Unpredictable wins 2026 Chanté Kwéyòl competition
Under the warm evening lights of Serenity Park in Saint Lucia on Saturday, emerging Kwéyòl musical talent Reginald Antoine – who performs under the dynamic stage name Unpredictable – secured the top prize at the highly anticipated 2026 Chanté Kwéyòl competition, taking home the title with his heartfelt original track *Mwen ni an Wév*. This landmark victory marks the first career win for Antoine at the iconic cultural contest, coming on the heels of his promising debut appearance in the 2025 edition of the event.
The fiercely contested 2026 standings saw beloved local performer Wulstan Alfred, widely recognized by his stage alias Walleigh, earn the runner-up spot for his catchy, crowd-pleasing entry *Baguy-la*, while seasoned local artist Gregory Sinaise rounded out the top three with his well-received performance of *Demi Touni*. The full-day event also featured electrifying supporting sets from a stacked lineup of 17 celebrated local and regional creatives, including Slot, Sexy Blue, KCey, Migz, Senator, Ckay, Kamau Regional, Alley Cat, Papi Joe, Afwéchi, J Movay, Sherlan, Black Pearl, General Butch, Lil IN!GO, and Honourable, who kept thousands of attendees engaged across the multi-hour showcase.
Founded back in 2012 by cultural advocate Gordon Charlemagne Leon as a dedicated Kwéyòl-language calypso contest, Chanté Kwéyòl has now run uninterrupted for 14 consecutive years as a flagship anchor event for Saint Lucia’s national Creole Heritage Month festivities. Designed explicitly to elevate local artists and preserve the island’s beloved Kwéyòl linguistic and musical traditions, the annual platform offers emerging and established creatives a rare, high-visibility stage to share their original work performed entirely in the Saint Lucian Kwéyòl dialect, fostering intergenerational pride in the island’s unique cultural heritage.