标签： Jamaica

A public dispute has erupted between soca star Alison Hinds and Reynolds Entertainment Agency following her absence from the Cayman Fiesta, a three-day party event held in the Cayman Islands from November 7 to 9. Hinds, known as the ‘Soca Queen,’ took to Instagram to defend herself, claiming that the agency’s ‘unprofessionalism, disorganization, and disrespect’ prevented her from performing. She alleged a breach of contract, stating that her agreement required all business matters to be settled before she could take the stage. Hinds apologized to her fans for the missed performance but placed the blame squarely on the promoter.

Tameka Reynolds, head of Reynolds Entertainment Agency, vehemently denied Hinds’ accusations, labeling them as ‘lies, half-truths, and innuendo.’ Reynolds asserted that her agency fulfilled its obligations and attempted to resolve issues amicably. She revealed that due to low attendance at the soca night, which drew only 150 patrons, she offered to pay 50% of the outstanding balances to the artists, but Hinds refused. Reynolds also countered claims that her agency failed to cover airline tickets and hotel expenses, attributing the mishaps to external factors such as airline cancellations and hotel authorization delays.

Reynolds further criticized Hinds for her lack of professionalism, citing her refusal to promote the event through radio interviews and social media posts. She argued that Hinds’ actions damaged both her own brand and that of the agency. The Cayman Fiesta, which featured rap star Rick Ross on a separate night, attracted 1,500 attendees, highlighting the stark contrast in turnout between the events. The clash underscores the challenges of event planning and the delicate relationship between artists and promoters in the entertainment industry.

The fourth edition of Scream, a Halloween-themed party, took place last Saturday at the Mas Camp venue, drawing a vibrant crowd of university and college students. Attendees showcased their creativity with an array of costumes, ranging from eccentric professionals to iconic superheroes. The venue was transformed into a spooky wonderland, with tunnels adorned with skeletons, bats, spiders, and other Halloween-themed decorations. The musical lineup was a perfect blend of Halloween classics and contemporary hits, including Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ Bobby Pickett’s ‘Monster Mash,’ and Ray Parker Jr.’s ‘Ghostbusters.’ DJs like Jamdonn & TZ, Fyahman, and Vinchi kept the energy high with a mix of Afrobeats, dancehall, soca, hip hop, reggae, and pop. Micha’el Meggo, a University of the West Indies student dressed as the Mad Hatter, praised the event for its creative costumes and the moment of silence observed for Hurricane Melissa victims. Dajae Forrester, another student, highlighted the patrons’ commitment to their characters and the seamless music selection. Keifa Desnoes, the event’s director, expressed satisfaction with the growing support and creativity each year. Scream targets young adults and the working class, offering a unique Halloween experience in Jamaica. The event also collected donations for hurricane relief, demonstrating the community’s solidarity with those affected by the disaster.