Caribbean Corner

Billboard, an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation, on Jan. 9 listed 10 Caribbean artists who it says fans must “watch out for” in 2025. The list comprises: Joé Dwèt Filé (Haiti); Likkle Addi (Jamaica); AnnaleaX (Jamaica); Bamby (French Guiana); Umpa (St. Lucia); 1SkiMask (Jamaica); Shemmy J (St. Lucia); Akeen Fennell (Jamaica); Leighanna (Trinidad and Tobago); and Renecia Bernard (Jamaica). Billboard said Haitian zouk-konpa singer Joé Dwèt Filé has “put out at least one new album (or a deluxe version) every year since 2018, so there’s no reason to expect he won’t keep up that pace in 2025. And he has all the reason to. “After scoring a viral moment on TikTok last year, ‘4 Kampé’ has quickly grown into one of Filé’s biggest hits yet, reaching No. 8 on Billboard’s France Songs ranking at the top of the new year (chart dated Jan. 11),” it added. Billboard said while “Likkle Addi may have started putting out music with his br...

The bellowing voice of Jennifer Hudson filled the ornate walls of Brooklyn Kings Theater with songs from her first Christmas album, "Gift of Love," a compilation of lovable holiday tunes and familiar hits that brought the audience to its feet. The Nov. 24 concert — An Intimate Live Experience by the EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony winner- was enchanting and magical. Despite a late start, Hudson, a former contestant on the hugely popular musical contest American Idol, wearing a shimmering green gown, lit up the stage in a glowing moment that excited the audience. Accompanied by a grand symphony orchestra and backup singers, the artist's melodious voice thrilled the enthusiastic crowd with " Oh Holy Night," "Make it to Christmas, " "Joy to the World," "Little Drummer Boy, " "Christmas Song, " and "Jingle Bells," among others. She put her own creative spin on the classics, much to the delight of the ...

New York City’s Blue & Bougie party promoters announced on Monday that they will be hosting a chic “Wine N Chill” event on Nov. 3 at the Redline Room on Fairfield Avenue, Block Rock, Connecticut. ‘“Fairfield, Connecticut, get ready to indulge in ‘Wine N Chill,’ an upscale, premium party that embodies important features of our successful Bleu & Bougie party that we have been hosting in New York for the past seven years,” Event conceptualizer Jamaican Jerry McDonald told Caribbean Life, stating that the event is “a food-inclusive party.” “’Wine N Chill’ is more than an experience; it is a lifestyle,” added McDonald, urging patrons to “come out early; the event begins at 4 p.m., and ends at 10 p.m. sharp. “It is a party that embodies excellence by embracing and amplifying the love of fashion, fun music, females and fine wines,” he continued. “We are targeting on social media, not just Jamaican/Caribbean nationals living in Connecticut but patrons from New York, New...

If you’re a lover of Caribbean music, then you’ve probably encountered the viral hit “Whistle” by TK International. Last Sunday, that energy found its way to Amadeus nightclub in Queens, New York, where the first-ever Bouyon Festival took place. The festival captivatingly attracted a full house of enthusiastic attendees and sold out all tickets. The event was organized by prominent NYC event producer Jay Upscale and his team in partnership with Olivier Choisi of KaruKera One Love Music Festival team, known for organizing the largest Bouyon Festival in Europe. The New York edition was a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture and unity. Their mission was clear: introducing Bouyon music to a broader audience and fostering deeper connections among Caribbean nationals in the United States. T Olivier Choisi of KaruKera One Love Music Festival, General Manager Cedric Melasse, and prominent NYC event producer Jay Upscale. Photo by Tracey Khan he festival drew a ...

Though his band is not participating this year in Brooklyn’s West Indian American Day Association’s (WIADCA) panorama competition, Trinidadian pannist Brian Nicholas is still very busy practicing and preparing Blacklove Steel Orchestra for prospective performances. Nicholas, the founder and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn-based Blacklove Steel Orchestra, told Caribbean Life that he is “looking at a broader picture” in which he envisages Blacklove’s future participation in WIADCA’s panorama, competing with “seasoned pan groups.” With its 15-member orchestra, comprising eight females and seven males, representing the Caribbean Diaspora – mainly from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Haiti, Grenada and Puerto Rico – Nicholas, however, said that Blacklove Steel Orchestra has participated in the past four years in the annual CLACC-C Junior Panorama Competition in Brooklyn. By playing in New York City public schools, and with postings on social media, Nicholas hopes Blacklove Steel...