Afro-Futurist Gianni Lee Transforms Skip Marley’s “Close (Remix)” Into AI-Powered Dancehall Odyssey

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News Americas, New York, NY, April 3, 2025: Afro-futurist artist and director Gianni Lee is pushing the boundaries of Caribbean music visuals with a bold new creation – an AI-assisted lyric video for the remix of Skip Marley’s “Close,” featuring Jamaican dancehall heavyweights Ding Dong and Masicka. The futuristic visual experience premiered today on the Tuff Gong TV YouTube channel and accompanies the track’s release via Tuff Gong International/Def Jam Recordings.

Set in a visually arresting post-apocalyptic metropolis, the video takes viewers on a mesmerizing ride through streets ruled by humanoid dancers, futuristic footballers, and thrill-seeking bikers, all moving to the rhythm of a hard-hitting Caribbean beat.

Philadelphia-born Gianni Lee, known for his boundary-pushing work with global brands like Jordan Brand, Adidas, and New York City Football Club, shared that this project wasn’t just about using AI for spectacle.

“For the Skip Marley visual, I used AI in an intentionally artistic way – breaking down live-action footage, screen grabs, and found video to create a mosaic of animated, moving images,” Lee said. “The foundation was rooted in real, tangible visuals that I shot or sourced, then processed frame-by-frame through advanced AI prompts. It wasn’t about trend or convenience – —it was about intention and vision.”

Lee, who is celebrated for his signature Afro-futurist symbolism and bold, dystopian storytelling, treated AI not merely as a tool, but as a collaborator—an extension of his creative process.

“I storyboarded this like any traditional film. Then, I layered it with artistic manipulation. The final result feels more like a moving painting than a conventional video,” he added. “This project was about pushing what’s possible with new tools while staying grounded in narrative and emotion.”

The collaboration between Lee and GRAMMY®-winning, multi-platinum artist and multi-instrumentalist Skip Marley, along with Ding Dong and Masicka, is a stunning intersection of music, technology, and visual art—a testament to how Afro-Caribbean and Black diasporic creativity continues to innovate and inspire.

CATCH IT HERE

What Does The Caribbean Export To The U.S.?

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News Americas, New York, NY, April 4, 2025: As U.S. President Donald Trump put in place steep tariffs on imports from numerous countries globally, including several Caribbean nations, the spotlight is once again on the Caribbean’s trade relationship with the United States. Amid rising concern, many are now asking: what exactly does the Caribbean export to the U.S.?

Here’s a look at what various Caribbean nations send to the United States.

Guyana

Facing the harshest blow with a 38% tariff – the highest of any Caribbean country – Guyana’s exports to the U.S. reached $3.51 billion in 2023, a massive rise from just $255 million in 2018. Blindsided by the steep 38% tariffs imposed by the United States on its exports, the Government of Guyana is now seeking clarity and relief through diplomatic engagement with U.S. officials.
Key exports include:

Crude Petroleum – $3.1 billion

Gold

Rice

Fish

Timber

Sugar, molasses, and rum

Aluminum ore and ships

Barbados

In 2024, Barbados exported $102.46 million worth of goods to the U.S., including:

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar – $22.5 million

Mineral fuels and oils – $18.6 million

Precious stones and metals – $12.4 million

Haiti

With over 80% of its exports heading to the U.S., Haiti’s top exports are apparel-related:

Knit T-shirts – $419M

Knit sweaters – $152M

Men’s suits and shirts – over $100M combined

Total exports to the U.S. – $844M

The Bahamas

In 2023, The Bahamas exported $3.01 billion, led by:

Refined petroleum – $1.35B

Passenger and cargo ships – $512M

Raw aluminum and crustaceans

Jamaica

In January 2025 alone, U.S. imports from Jamaica included:

Aluminum ore – $5.54M

Cassava, sauces, baked goods, and seasonings

Sint Maarten

Exports to the U.S. valued at $2.74M in 2023 included:

Scrap iron

Recreational boats

Jewelry

Hard liquor and flavored water

Turks and Caicos Islands

In 2023, the U.S. imported $5.51M in goods such as:

Molluscs – $1.66M

Crustaceans – $1.47M

Semiconductor devices

Antigua & Barbuda

Exported $17.2M in 2023, with highlights including:

Paintings – $4.84M

Electrical transformers – $2.64M

Saint Lucia

Exported $7.53M in 2023, with top items being:

Processed fruits and nuts – $1.42M

Scrap copper and hard liquor
However, exports have declined from $47.1M in 2018.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

With $16.4M in U.S. exports in 2023, main products were:

Measuring instruments – $4.51M

Electrical control boards and transformers

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

U.S. imports in 2024 reached $8.4M, with exports such as:

Bananas, arrowroot, and coconuts

Fish, seafood, textiles, and rum

Bermuda

Exported $5.9M to the U.S. in 2023, down from $13.8M in 2018. Top exports:

Hard liquor – $2.02M

Scrap iron and paintings

Cayman Islands

Exports totaled $13.3M in 2023, including:

Broadcasting equipment – $5.24M

Scrap iron and measuring instruments

Suriname

In 2023, the U.S. imported $87.8M in goods, led by:

Fish fillets – $24.8M

Fresh and frozen non-fillet fish

Guadeloupe & Martinique

Both French territories export primarily bananas, rum, and sugar, with Martinique also sending sailboats to the U.S.

Trinidad and Tobago

Exported $3.26B to the U.S. in 2023. Top products:

Crude petroleum – $1.15B

Iron reductions – $593M

Petroleum gas – $539M

Belize

Sent $86.2M in exports to the U.S. in 2023, including:

Refined petroleum – $20.4M

Molasses – $18.6M

Raw sugar – $11.1M

These figures highlight the vital economic ties between the U.S. and the Caribbean. As the threat of higher tariffs looms, many regional leaders and businesses are closely watching developments and preparing to navigate the potential economic impact of Trump’s proposed trade measures.