NEWS

After two restricted years, 2022 has seen the soca industry rejuvenated and artists reconnect with live audiences. Trinidadian soca star Destra Garcia has seized the year’s creative opportunities with both hands: she toured, and released three tracks in November alone. Last month, the ‘Queen of Bacchanal’ released Easy, Never Gonna Let You Go and Remedy from the Cool Breeze Riddim.

Destra was the headline act in Brian MacFarlane’s show ‘Christmas Joy: The Magic Returns’, which took place on 13 November at the Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain, Trinidad. She is also currently working on her 16th studio album, Unchained, due out in the new year.

You can stream Destra's work on all streaming platforms, and see the music videos on YouTube.

Grenadian soca superstar Mr Killa (Hollice Mapp) has been adjudged the winner of the Best Reggae and Dancehall category at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). In his category, the singer was competing with contenders such as Spice, Shenseea, Steff London, Popcaan and Alkaline.

Commenting on his win, Mr Killa had this to say: “I am emotional being here tonight, because so much people said that I wouldn’t make it. But I want to thank the Almighty Father, I want to thank my mother and my friends, fans and family”. He hopes that this win will pave the way for his fellow soca musicians to receive the international recognition they deserve.

Mapp thrilled the audience with his music and eccentric dance at the ceremony, which took place on Saturday 19 November at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas.

Shurwayne Winchester has released another anthem in time for Trinidad Carnival 2023. The new single, Fire Down Town, will bring the energy of Trinidad Carnival to the hearts and feet of revellers.

Released on 2 December, Fire Down Town is, says Shurwayne, for, “everybody who has understood the assignment over the many decades of celebrating freedom, celebrating emancipation, celebrating being Trinbagonian. This is for you! ‘Fire Down Town’ is a statement to own and proudly hold on to what is yours, mine, ours!”

You can watch the video on YouTube and stream or download the song from all major streaming platforms worldwide.

Kes the Band will be celebrating Trinidad Carnival’s comeback with the inaugural live edition on home ground of the band’s IzWe festival.

IzWe started last year as a series of socially distanced events. With the gradual lifting of Covid restrictions, Kes the Band has exported the concept to New York and Toronto, Canada, where the live shows proved popular. On Tuesday 14 February it will be Trinidad’s turn to experience the live event, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in San Fernando.

Kes the Band closed their 2022 US concert series on 26 November at Houston’s Tribeville fest and are currently wrapping production on their latest album, Man With No Door.

After being banished by Covid to the ‘virtual’ zone from 2020 to 2022, Trinidad Carnival is determined to make up for lost time, so masqueraders and revellers are anticipating a record-breaking return to the streets on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February 2023. • For Izwe festival tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/ iz-we-the-village-2023-tickets-443301024297.

Soca singer, songwriter and serial creative Adam O (Adam O'Neal) will be hosting his first full-length concert in his home town, St Croix, USVI, on 6 January 2023. Partnering with the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Division of Festivals, the concert, dubbed, ‘Adam O and Friends “The Garden”', will feature a catalogue of artists from all over the Caribbean.

Through this initiative, Adam hopes to, “encourage USVI residents who are not living at home and music lovers from the Caribbean diaspora to partake in the Carnival festivities.”

For up-to-date information about the USVI Division of Festivals and the carnival festivities, visit www.visitusvi.com/experiences/carnivals-festivals.

Machel Montano has been synonymous with celebration since his career began, four decades ago. Continuing in that vein, the singer performed in November to celebrate his 48th birthday at 'The Birthday Roast of Machel Montano' in New York. The show also featured legendary roast master Majah Hype, YouTuber Lilly Singh, comedian Russel Peters, Affion Crockett, Big Norm and many others.

The audience were also privy to an exclusive peek into the world, life and career of Machel as he debuted a preview of his documentary, Journey Of A Soca King - A Machel Montano Story.

Montano closed his MM40 2022 tour at the Imagine Weekend Festival, held on 25 - 27 November at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Preparations are currently underway for Melé Cruise, scheduled for 27 April to 1 May 2023. This will be followed in September by Melé Destinations Cancun Carnival from 7 – 11 September 2023.

Montano has so far released Never Again on the Happy Daze Riddim for the 2023 Trinidad Carnival season with, we are sure, more to come.

The USVI Division of Festivals is presenting the Crucian Christmas Festival, with this year marking the 70th anniversary of the festival. The carnival, which is locally called simply, 'St Croix', will be offering events including the Calypso Monarch competition on 28 December, the Soca Monarch competition on 4 January and the Adults' Parade on 7 January.

The festival, themed 'Reflections of Culture, Music, Mas and Revelry', is an initiative of the United States Virgin Islands in partnership with the USVI Division of Festivals.

St Croix festival is scheduled for 11 December to 7 January 2023. For updates on the carnival and information about bookings and travel, visit www. usvifestivals.vi.