Carib Scope

分类： entertainment

  • Inner Circle launches ‘Stay Strong Jamaica’ to support hurricane relief

    Inner Circle launches ‘Stay Strong Jamaica’ to support hurricane relief

    MIAMI, FL — In a powerful fusion of music and philanthropy, Grammy-winning reggae band Inner Circle officially premiered their new charitable single ‘Stay Strong Jamaica’ at Circle House Studios on Thursday. The event transcended a typical music launch, transforming into a strategic gathering for hurricane recovery initiatives.

    The evening attracted notable figures including Jamaica’s Consul General Oliver Mair, Miramar Commissioners Maxwell Chambers and Carson ‘Eddie’ Edwards, alongside reggae royalty Rohan and Julian Marley. The prestigious attendance underscored the collective commitment to supporting Jamaica’s hurricane recovery, serving as the official precursor to the major ‘Stay Strong Jamaica Hurricane Relief Concert’ scheduled for January 2, 2025, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

    Ian Lewis, co-founder of Inner Circle, articulated the dual mission behind both the song and the concert. He emphasized their purpose to amplify relief efforts and accelerate the restoration of normalcy in severely affected Jamaican parishes. ‘Stay Strong Jamaica is fundamentally a call to action—an appeal for global unity and assistance, whether from the Diaspora or international supporters. Rebuilding our nation is an imperative we all share,’ Lewis stated.

    The musical composition itself incorporates melodic elements from Lionel Richie’s classic ‘All Night Long,’ creating a familiar yet inspirational anthem. All proceeds generated from the single are directly earmarked for charitable organizations supporting the reconstruction efforts.

    This initiative forms part of the Jamaican Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sports’ broader ‘I Love Jamaica’ series. Reflecting on the successful New York leg of the concert series at the UBS Arena on December 12, Lewis expressed optimism for an even greater impact in Florida. He enthusiastically encouraged public participation, noting, ‘Purchasing a ticket tonight means contributing to a profoundly worthy cause. Attendees will experience incredible music and phenomenal acts—it promises to be pure magic.’

    The January 2nd concert boasts an impressive lineup of iconic artists, including Shaggy, Julian Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Wayne Wonder, Ernie Smith, the Wailers, Ky-Mani Marley, I-Octane, Etana, Tee Jay, Shuga, Inner Circle, Mykal Rose, Chalice, Brick and Lace, and Ed Robinson, ensuring a memorable night of entertainment for a critical humanitarian mission.

  • Chabano Nkani re-releases Close to You

    Chabano Nkani re-releases Close to You

    Jamaican-born recording artist and producer Chabano Nkani is experiencing an extraordinary career resurgence as his previously overlooked single ‘Close To You’ achieves viral fame through TikTok, eight years after his debut album ‘Phases’ dedicated to his late mother. The reggae performer, currently residing in the United States, has witnessed his composition gain unprecedented international traction after strategic re-release efforts. Initially failing to capture significant attention despite its artistic merit, the track has now exploded across social media platforms, particularly TikTok where the official video has surpassed one million views. This digital renaissance has generated substantial airplay across Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and Caribbean nations. The renewed success has prompted Nkani to accelerate production on his first EP, which will feature the revitalized hit alongside six new compositions. The artist, who began his career at Byron Murray’s In the Streetz Records managing road operations for acts like Hawkeye and Alozade before transitioning to production work with artists including Half Pint, Luciano and Warrior King, has postponed a planned October trip to Jamaica due to hurricane conditions but intends to complete the project early next year through the Isle of Springs imprint.

  • Angostura signs Imran “GI” Beharry as new brand ambassador

    Angostura signs Imran “GI” Beharry as new brand ambassador

    In a significant cultural partnership, Trinidad and Tobago’s celebrated chutney soca artist Imran “GI” Beharry has been appointed as the official brand ambassador for the House of Angostura. The three-time Chutney Soca Monarch, who recently joined the National Carnival Commission, formalized this collaboration through a signing ceremony on December 16 at the company’s Laventille headquarters.

    The House of Angostura announced the partnership on December 17, characterizing the union as bringing together “two powerful symbols of TT’s creative and cultural identity.” The company highlighted GI’s dynamic stage presence, authentic storytelling capabilities, and profound connection to Caribbean culture as qualities aligning perfectly with their brand values.

    Acting CEO Ian Forbes emphasized the strategic alignment, stating: “Our brands are deeply rooted in culture, heritage and authenticity. GI represents the modern expression of Caribbean creativity – bold, confident and grounded in who we are as a people.” This collaboration forms part of Angostura’s broader initiative to engage cultural leaders who authentically embody the brand’s spirit while promoting premium rum culture through contemporary channels.

    Beharry, known for his hit “My One Only,” expressed enthusiasm about representing the historic brand: “The House of Angostura represents legacy, pride and TT excellence on a global stage. This partnership feels natural because it reflects who we are and how far our culture can travel.”

    The artist will represent Angostura across selected brand engagements, consumer experiences, and cultural events, serving as a bridge between the company’s premium spirits and the vibrant Caribbean music scene. This partnership underscores Angostura’s ongoing commitment to supporting local talent and cultural expression while elevating brand experiences at the intersection of music, culture, and premium spirits.

  • Music Fest Sent Lisi is here again

    Music Fest Sent Lisi is here again

    The highly anticipated Music Fest Sent Lisi, renowned as the Southern Caribbean’s signature musical extravaganza, makes its triumphant return to showcase the region’s most promising emerging artists. Scheduled for December 20th at Vieux Fort’s Phillip Marcelin Grounds, the festival will transform into a vibrant hub of musical innovation from 3 PM onward.

    Central to this year’s festivities is the Youth Star Contest, which will crown its champion from finalists meticulously selected throughout November. These aspiring musicians will demonstrate their artistry across diverse genres including jazz, gospel, dancehall, reggae, calypso, soca, rap, hip-hop, R&B, Dennery segment, and the increasingly popular Afrobeats.

    Ten exceptional performers will compete for prestigious honors including over $20,000 in cash prizes and the coveted title of Youth Star of the Year. The event will feature special appearances by reigning champion Vic Nation alongside established artists J Swain, Travo, Ashe’, Vun, Kristian Lawrence, Zidane, MNR, Wade, and Al the Artist, who will present a special duet performance with Eddie Bellas.

    Ashe’, who secured joint second position in last year’s competition, emphasized the festival’s significance for developing artists. “My debut experience last year exposed me to an entirely different performance environment compared to the calypso arena I’ve known,” Ashe’ reflected. “The platform provided invaluable learning opportunities through peer interaction and genuine camaraderie.”

    First-time participant Wade drew inspiration from supporting friends in previous editions. His competition entry ‘Desire’ represents an innovative fusion of dancehall and R&B rhythms. “I bring a distinctive musical perspective and unconventional style that I’m eager to share with wider audiences,” Wade explained.

    The festival will also showcase performers who dominated the 2025 music scene, including Piton Soca Starz winner Remote, Groovy Monarch Imran Nerdy, Alley Kyatt, Brii Music, Michael Robinson, Arthur Allain, and Cooyah. Special guest Reo, the Bouyon Prince from Dominica, will deliver his hit tracks ‘I Know Why’ and ‘Life Sweet’.

    Organizers envision creating an electrifying family-friendly atmosphere where Saint Lucian emerging talents and established performers will unite through captivating lyrics and infectious rhythms, delivering an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

  • DJ Crumpz Spins to Win a Brand-New Laptop in Flow’s 12 Days of Christmas

    DJ Crumpz Spins to Win a Brand-New Laptop in Flow’s 12 Days of Christmas

    In a triumphant conclusion to Flow’s highly anticipated ’12 Days of Christmas’ promotional campaign, local disc jockey DJ Crumpz has been unveiled as the grand prize victor. The celebratory initiative, orchestrated by the leading telecommunications provider, featured a sequence of daily giveaways designed to distribute holiday cheer to its loyal customer base throughout the festive season.

    The campaign’s pinnacle award, a state-of-the-art laptop computer, was bestowed upon DJ Crumpz, whose entry successfully navigated the random selection process. This premium technology package is poised to significantly augment the winner’s professional and creative endeavors, offering enhanced capabilities for music production, live performance mixing, and digital content creation.

    Corporate representatives from Flow expressed enthusiasm regarding the campaign’s overwhelming public participation and its successful execution. The ’12 Days of Christmas’ initiative underscores a strategic commitment to customer appreciation and community engagement, leveraging the holiday period to deliver tangible value and excitement to subscribers. Industry analysts note that such promotional activities effectively strengthen brand loyalty and consumer relations in the competitive telecom market.

    The victory has generated considerable positive sentiment within the local entertainment circuit, with colleagues and fans celebrating DJ Crumpz’s windfall on various social media platforms. This win highlights the intersection of technology and creative arts, demonstrating how modern tools can empower artistic innovation and professional growth.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Features in Record Year for Commonwealth Short Story Prize

    Antigua and Barbuda Features in Record Year for Commonwealth Short Story Prize

    The literary world is witnessing an unprecedented surge of global storytelling, with the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize achieving a historic milestone. A remarkable 7,806 entries poured in from 54 Commonwealth nations, submitted by writers spanning an extraordinary age range from 18 to 95 years old.

    Twelve member nations, including the Caribbean twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, set new national participation records. This achievement signals a powerful cultural shift: growing confidence among local writers and the rising prominence of Caribbean literary voices on the international stage.

    A particularly striking trend emerged in the prize’s linguistic diversity. Non-English submissions experienced a dramatic 36% year-on-year increase, underscoring the prize’s role in fostering cross-cultural narrative exchange. This surge demonstrates that compelling storytelling transcends linguistic boundaries and cultural barriers.

    Prize organizers highlighted the crucial ecosystem supporting this literary expansion. They credited dedicated support networks, panel judges, and previous winners for providing essential guidance that empowered thousands of writers worldwide. This mentorship structure proved particularly impactful for emerging literary communities, including first-time entrants from Antigua and Barbuda who contributed to this year’s record-breaking participation.

  • Dominica’s Calypso Monarch Joy Stoute to vie for ‘Queen of Queens’ title

    Dominica’s Calypso Monarch Joy Stoute to vie for ‘Queen of Queens’ title

    Dominica’s reigning Calypso Monarch, Joy Stoute, is poised to represent her nation at the prestigious Queen of Queens Regional Female Calypso Competition in Montserrat on December 30th. The event, orchestrated by the Montserrat Arts Council as a highlight of the island’s 2025 Carnival celebrations, serves as a convergence point for the Caribbean’s most accomplished female calypsonians.

    This cultural showcase is designed to promote artistic excellence, foster cultural dialogue, and strengthen regional bonds through the powerful medium of calypso music. Participants will be evaluated across multiple criteria including lyrical depth, musical composition, stage dynamism, and overall interpretive delivery. Each artist must perform two original compositions to demonstrate their creative range.

    Stoute, performing under her stage name ‘Joy,’ will present two critically acclaimed pieces: ‘My Quest for Love’ and ‘The Ground We Walking On.’ These compositions were instrumental in securing her national title earlier this year and have subsequently resonated with audiences throughout the Caribbean region.

    In prepared statements, Joy conveyed both honor and determination regarding her upcoming performance. ‘Representing Dominica on a regional stage is both an honour and a responsibility,’ she stated. ‘Calypso has always been a voice for the people, and I am proud to carry our stories, our culture, and our flag to Montserrat.’

    The artist emphasized the critical importance of regional platforms for calypso’s preservation amid growing challenges to the art form’s sustainability across the Caribbean. ‘Now more than ever, we must think of calypso beyond Dominica,’ Joy remarked, highlighting concerns about the potential erosion of this cultural tradition without continued exposure and support.

    Dominica maintains a strong legacy in the competition, with previous representatives including 2024 participant Shanice Langford (stage name Shanice) and 2022 first runner-up Tasha ‘Tasha P’ Peltier, the island’s first female calypso monarch. With confident preparation and institutional backing from the Dominica Calypso Association, Joy aims to deliver a historic performance that could secure Dominica’s first Queen of Queens title.

  • Flow’s 12 Days of Christmas Kicks Off with a Day 1 Winner!

    Flow’s 12 Days of Christmas Kicks Off with a Day 1 Winner!

    The holiday season has officially begun for participants in Flow’s highly anticipated ’12 Days of Christmas’ promotion, with the company announcing an immediate Day 1 prize winner. This annual festive campaign, launched by the telecommunications provider, marks the start of a nearly two-week-long series of giveaways and special offers designed to reward customer loyalty during the holiday period.

    The promotional event, structured around the classic ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ theme, will feature daily surprises ranging from cutting-edge gadgets and premium entertainment packages to exclusive service upgrades. Company representatives have confirmed that the first day’s winner has already been successfully notified, setting an enthusiastic tone for the remainder of the promotion.

    This strategic initiative represents Flow’s commitment to enhancing customer engagement through seasonal celebrations that combine entertainment value with practical rewards. Industry analysts note that such promotions have become increasingly significant in the competitive telecom sector, serving as both customer retention tools and brand-building exercises during the critical holiday shopping season.

    The remaining eleven days promise continued opportunities for subscribers to win prizes, with the company expected to gradually reveal subsequent days’ offerings to maintain anticipation and participation throughout the campaign period.

  • CHRISTMAS @ One Park

    CHRISTMAS @ One Park

    This holiday season, One Park Restaurant and Lounge invites patrons to indulge in an exquisite culinary celebration with the launch of its specially curated Christmas menu. Under the creative direction of Head Chef Judah Ellis, the establishment presents three distinct gourmet offerings designed to deliver both festive joy and robust flavors for discerning meat enthusiasts.

    The gastronomic experience commences with the King’s Christmas Roast, a majestic dish centered around premium Wagyu striploin. This centerpiece is accompanied by an innovative truffle brioche pudding and elevated with a distinctive guava red wine jus, served alongside tender broccolini.

    Following this royal offering is the Jerk Duck A L’Orange Royal, which reimagines a classic dish through a Caribbean lens. The crispy jerk duck receives a sophisticated tamarind orange glaze enhancement, complemented by sweet potato fondant and finished with artisanal cacao nibs for textural contrast.

    Completing the triumvirate of holiday specialties is the Crown Jewel Lamb Rack. This creation features herb-crusted lamb elevated by a sorrel mint demi-glaze, accompanied by breadfruit gratin and aromatic rosemary accents.

    Beyond the culinary offerings, the beverage program presents two signature cocktails crafted for the season. The Hibiscus Spritz offers floral notes while the Very Merry Fizz provides effervescent celebration in a glass. These carefully conceived libations provide perfect complements to Chef Ellis’s holiday creations, ensuring a comprehensive festive dining experience at One Park Restaurant and Lounge.

  • A fitting musical farewell

    A fitting musical farewell

    Jamaica’s National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew transformed into a vibrant celebration of life on Wednesday, honoring reggae luminary Jimmy Cliff in a memorial service radiating the same optimism that defined his legendary career. The three-hour tribute united politicians, musicians, and fans worldwide in a profound farewell to the singer-songwriter who passed away on November 24 at age 81.

    Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding delivered heartfelt eulogies, emphasizing Cliff’s enduring humility despite global fame. Holness reflected on the artist’s birth name James Chambers and his unwavering connection to rural Jamaican roots, noting how anthems like ‘Many Rivers To Cross’ and ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’ transcended entertainment to become “affirmations of dignity, resilience, and belief in possibility.”

    Golding highlighted Cliff’s groundbreaking role in the seminal film ‘The Harder They Come,’ recognizing how his “natural, authentic, and convincing” performance as Ivan introduced Jamaican culture to international audiences and ensured the film’s timeless legacy.

    The emotional core emerged through family tributes, with widow Latifa Chambers and children Aken and Lilty expressing the artist’s profound love for humanity and homeland. Lilty joined musicians Chris McDonald and Dwight Richards in a moving performance of ‘Moving On,’ showcasing the musical dynasty Cliff nurtured.

    Musical tributes spanned Cliff’s extensive catalog, from Tony Rebel’s powerful rendition of ‘Vietnam’ to Tessanne Chin’s soaring interpretation of ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ from the Cool Runnings soundtrack. The National Dance Theatre Company and Tivoli Dance Troupe transformed classics into choreographic art, while Richie Spice, Beenie Man, and Nadine Sutherland contributed celebratory performances.

    The service concluded with Prime Minister Holness presenting the Chambers family with an official Jamaican flag, symbolizing the nation’s gratitude for the Somerton-born boy who became a global ambassador of reggae music and Jamaican culture.