分类： entertainment

A rising young creative is making steady waves across Saint Lucia’s vibrant Caribbean music landscape, building her career one intentional performance and genre-blending track at a time. For Lolani, the emerging soca artist whose journey has blended early training, bold risks, and hard-won growth, the path to establishing herself among the island’s well-known musical names has been equal parts demanding and deeply fulfilling.

Lolani’s entry into soca came from a willingness to step outside her comfort zone and embrace new creative challenges. “I love to try new things, so I decided to try soca,” she shared in an interview, crediting fellow Saint Lucian artist Orion with encouraging her to make the jump into the genre. That partnership yielded her first competition entry: the power soca track *Sorry*, which marked her official debut in the 2025 Soca Monarch competition, kicking off her formal journey as a soca artist.

Long before her first soca release, Lolani’s relationship with music began in early childhood. Starting singing at just four years old, she cut her teeth in group choral and sacred music, performing with a range of ensembles from school choirs to her local church choir, and eventually earning a spot in Saint Lucia’s National Combined Schools Choir. It was only later that she made the decision to leave group performance behind to pursue a solo career, a shift that set her on the path to exploring calypso and eventually soca.

Her first foray into competitive solo performance came during her time at Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, when she auditioned for a calypso competition despite widespread assumptions that her shy demeanor would hold her back. “I love to prove people wrong,” she noted, and her confidence proved well-placed: she went on to represent her school and claimed first runner-up in the 2023 contest. Though she ultimately did not connect with the calypso genre long-term, the experience was formative, teaching her to embody distinct characters through performance and build the commanding stage presence that defines her work today.

As a female artist navigating a crowded, well-established local music scene, Lolani says her time in soca has transformed her both as a person and a professional. Working alongside and sharing the stage with iconic local performers including Arthur, Ricky T, Cupid, and Keisha has given her unparalleled opportunities to learn, grow, and build name recognition among fans and industry peers alike, moving her from an unknown newcomer to a recognized emerging talent. Taking part in industry panels and collaborative performances has also dramatically boosted her confidence, creating a foundation for her continued growth.

Most recently, Lolani returned to the Soca Monarch competition for her second year, competing in two segments. As a solo act, she entered the groovy soca category with *Life Sweet*, a track produced by local label Stratosphere Musik. She advanced to the quarterfinals but did not move on to the next round, a disappointing outcome that left her heartbroken. “I cried so much because I really wanted this year to be like my year,” she admitted, though she ultimately framed the result as a matter of timing, concluding “It just wasn’t my time.” She also competed in the power soca segment alongside collaborator Jurgen, with their track *Can’t Let Go* advancing to the semifinals. Though the track did not deliver the final placement the pair had hoped for, Lolani emphasized that the collaboration was an overall positive experience, calling the song a standout carnival season anthem.

One of the most meaningful highlights of her recent competition run came even outside the finalist ranks: an invitation to perform as a guest artist on the iconic Soca Monarch stage, an opportunity she counts as a major milestone in her early career.

Beyond competition placements, Lolani anchors her artistry on purpose-driven work. Every track she releases carries a intentional message, and she actively experiments with blending soca with other popular genres including R&B, afrobeat, and the locally rooted Dennery segment. When creating Dennery segment work, a subgenre most often centered on upbeat party themes, she has intentionally reoriented the sound to center women’s empowerment, rejecting typical tropes to create content that uplifts female audiences. For the rising artist, connecting with listeners on a deep emotional level is the core of her work. “The most important thing for me is to reach out to people and touch people’s hearts,” she explained, a goal she pursues through thoughtful lyricism and authentic live performance.

As she continues to evolve, Lolani says fans should expect versatility paired with unwavering commitment to quality. “Expect the unexpected from Lolani,” she said of her dynamic sound, describing herself as a spontaneous creator who never compromises on the standard of her music.

Looking ahead, beyond growing her own career, Lolani is invested in lifting up Saint Lucia’s broader music industry. Having seen firsthand the depth of untapped creative talent across the island, she argues that local artists only need greater access to the right opportunities to push the national music scene to new global heights. For the emerging artist, her own early journey is just the first step in what she hopes will be a long career contributing to her country’s rich musical legacy.

Emerging from Saint Lucia’s vibrant music scene, independent artist Berty James, who performs under the stage name Humble Official, has launched his highly anticipated 16-track studio project titled *The Grammy*, a genre-defying collection crafted to resonate with listeners across diverse musical tastes. The album breaks conventional genre boundaries by weaving together a rich tapestry of Caribbean and global sounds: from the energetic rhythms of soca, bouyon, and Dennery segment (a signature local Saint Lucian style) to the catchy beats of dancehall and Afrobeat, plus the soulful depth of gospel influences. This intentional fusion is designed to welcome a broad, varied audience, ensuring there is something for every listener to connect with.

Among the project’s standout tracks is *Summertime*, a laid-back, upbeat cut positioned to become the defining Caribbean summer anthem for 2026. What sets the album apart beyond its eclectic sound is its collaborative core: it brings together emerging local Saint Lucian talent alongside both homegrown and internationally acclaimed award-winning producers, blending grassroots artistry with top-tier production expertise.

In an exclusive interview with local publication *St Lucia Times*, James opened up about his gratitude for the opportunity to share his work with the world. “I feel grateful and I give thanks to the Most High for allowing me to be a blessing to this world by releasing this album,” he shared. For the artist, the project is more than just a collection of songs—it is a career milestone that he believes will solidify his standing as a serious professional in the global music industry.

Beyond his own career goals, James has his sights set on lifting up his home community. The artist has long prioritized advancing Saint Lucia’s local music ecosystem, and he says *The Grammy* is a key step in his mission to push Saint Lucian music onto the global stage and elevate the entire regional industry to new heights. “I am really interested in taking music in St. Lucia to another level,” he emphasized.

James describes the album as one-of-a-kind in both its sonic identity and structural approach, highlighting its multi-faceted nature as its biggest strength. “My album is different from other albums because it’s multi-faceted,” he explained. “It consists of a wide variety of genres to cater to the wider audience. Everyone can find a song or more on there that they love.” That cross-genre appeal, he argues, allows different fans to build personal connections with the project, regardless of their preferred style of music. He remains confident that the album will win over listeners both in Saint Lucia and across international markets.

True to its name, *The Grammy* carries a bold core ambition: James is openly targeting a nomination for the prestigious Grammy Awards, calling this his top career goal for the year. While he acknowledges that earning a spot among Grammy nominees is no small feat and a long shot for an independent Caribbean artist, he maintains an unshakable optimism about his chances. “I know it’s a long shot but my mind is limitless,” he said. He attributes his confidence to a mix of unwavering self-belief and his faith, noting, “If anyone can do it, I can because I believe in myself and I believe in the Most High and together we are unstoppable.”

*The Grammy* is available for streaming now on YouTube, via the official album playlist, as well as all major global music streaming platforms.

One of the most anticipated staples of Saint Lucia’s annual carnival calendar is gearing up for a milestone celebration, as organizers officially announced that Color Me Red (CMR) — the island’s signature standalone carnival concert — will return as “CMR – the Encore” on Carnival Friday, July 17, 2026. Held to mark the event’s 20th year as a cornerstone of Lucian carnival culture, the anniversary show will take place at the iconic Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Beausejour, drawing top soca talent from across the Caribbean.

The lineup already boasts an impressive roster of homegrown and regional stars, including leading voices from Saint Lucia’s popular Dennery Segment movement: Blackboy, Mighty, Tallyboy, and fan-favorite Andrew “the biscuit man”. Completing the bill are award-winning local carnival soca acts: Groovy Monarch Kisha, Power Soca Monarch Ezra D’funmachine, Shemmy J, and Sedale. Headliners for the landmark anniversary show, however, are two of Caribbean soca’s biggest names who share decades of history with the CMR event, Skinny Fabulous and Machel Montano, both of whom opened up about their return at an official press conference held Thursday at Saint Lucia’s Windjammer Hotel.

Speaking to attendees at the launch, Thaddeus Antoine, founder and director of Red Carnival — the production company behind CMR — explained the meaning behind the “Encore” moniker, emphasizing that the 20th iteration is unlike any previous edition. “Early in CMR’s run, Skinny Fabulous was just a rising artist studying at the University of the West Indies when he opened for Ricky T here. Machel graced our stage for five straight years, those were some of the best years CMR has ever had. Now both are back, and what do you call a return from fan favorites? That’s an encore,” Antoine said.

For Vincentian soca star Skinny Fabulous, the 2026 show marks a full-circle moment in his decades-long career. He recalled his first trip to Saint Lucia, when he explored the coastal town of Soufriere and took in the world-famous views of the Pitons, and shared how early opportunities at CMR helped shape his path in the industry. “I competed against Ricky T, who I’ve always considered a legend, at the 2009 OECS Soca Monarch. I met Thaddeus back when he worked as an entertainment lawyer, and he was one of the first promoters to give me a large platform to perform. Now I’m back, sharing the stage not just with a pioneering promoter, but with my good friend and brother Machel — it’s really come full circle,” he explained.

Skinny Fabulous echoed Antoine’s excitement, noting that Carnival Friday is widely considered the official start of the full carnival celebration in Saint Lucia, and promised attendees that the 20th anniversary show will be the largest and most impressive celebration of Lucian and Caribbean musical talent ever staged at CMR.

Trinidadian soca icon Machel Montano, who also returns as a headliner, said he has long felt a deep connection to Saint Lucia, dating back to his childhood. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be here. This feels like sitting with family. I’ve been coming to Saint Lucia since I was 9 years old, back when I was too young to even perform soca,” Montano shared. “Two years ago, I played Saint Lucia Jazz and it was one of the best nights of my entire career, the energy from the crowd was unmatched. I haven’t experienced Saint Lucia carnival in years, and as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I’m coming with brand new hits this time around.”

Montano also reflected on his long history of collaboration with Saint Lucian creatives, including producers Pen and Ace and soca legend Ricky T, noting that these cross-island partnerships helped lay the groundwork for the Caribbean unity the show celebrates today. He added that he has watched the island’s homegrown Dennery Segment genre grow from a local sound to a major, distinctive force across the Caribbean, and he is eager to share the stage with the movement’s leading artists. “It’s an honor to be invited back to CMR. This is a family affair, and I can’t wait to put on a show full of hits alongside my Saint Lucian and Caribbean family,” he said.

To make the milestone celebration memorable for all attendees, organizers have curated special experiences for both general admission guests and VIP ticketholders. They also extended formal thanks to the event’s platinum sponsors — Bank of Saint Lucia and Windjammer — along with all supporting sponsors and partner organizations that have made the 20th anniversary show possible.