Dream WKND NYC 2024 Recap and Interview with Chairman of Dream Entertainment: A Celebration of Caribbean Culture & Community In The Big Apple Hosted By Spice

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New York, NY – July 11th, 2024 – Dream WKND NYC 2024-the annual Caribbean’s Largest music festival wrapped up its second staging in the vibrant city of New York, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s Caribbean cultural and musical landscape. Held on June 29-30, this year’s festival was a resounding success, drawing thousands of ‘Dreamers’ from across the tri-state area delivering two unforgettable nights of music, dance, and cultural celebration.

Night One: ‘World Dance Best Of The 90s’ at Club Musica Manhattan

The festival at Club Musica on Saturday, June 29, kicked off with an explosive start despite the inclement weather. Hosted by Jamaican dancehall queen Spice, the ‘World Dance Best of the 90s’ evening was filled with entertainment, including Spice handing out cowboy hats to fans participating in the “Round n Round” challenge, and meet & greets. DJs Kevin Crown, Massive B, and Platinum Kids kept the energy high with a mix of dancehall, soca, hip-hop, alternative, and afrobeats hits.

Night Two: Daydreams All-White Event

The celebration continued on Sunday, June 30 at DAYDREAMS all white summer soiree held at the beautiful outdoor venue, Industry city- Brooklyn, making it the climax of the weekend. Dreamers were dressed to impress, all while enjoying an elegant yet energetic, party atmosphere. The venue was transformed into a sea of white, with dazzling décor, good Jamaican bites, seamless bottle service and a stellar lineup of DJs such as: DJ Fade The Future from Hot97, who recently came from Vogue world paris, Popular Caribbean DJ- Noah Powa and Massive B, who kept the dance floor bumping. The mix of Caribbean beat and the Brooklyn backdrop created a unique and memorable experience for all patrons.

Cultural Exchange

Beyond the music and festivities, Dream WKND NYC 2024 had a significant turn out from the city providing a platform for cultural exchange, bringing Caribbean heritage and community to the forefront highlighting the vibrancy and cultural diversity of New York City, reinforcing its reputation as a global cultural hub.

Dare to continue the Dream? Head down to where it all began; Dream WKND’s 15th year anniversary celebration weekend in Negril, Jamaica from August 2nd-6th 2024.

About Dream Weekend: Dream Weekend is Jamaica’s premier music festival, known for its high-energy events and unforgettable experiences. Founded in Negril, Jamaica, Dream Weekend has grown into an international phenomenon and touring festival, attracting music lovers from around the world.

** Tempo got the chance to check in with the Dream Team, and Chairman of Dream Entertainment, Kamal Bankay.
Check out the interview below!

– What was the initial “Dream” behind Dream WKND? The inspiration for its start.
The birth of Dream Wknd dates back to 2009, when Matthew Samuda and PJ Wright, now both board directors of Dream Entertainment Ltd., produced competing events – Xtreme Wet and Wild on ATI and DayDreams on RTI – happening simultaneously. Through their discussions, they realized that their philosophy and future outlook for the entertainment industry were remarkably similar. Recognizing the potential synergy, Samuda and Wright sought to bring these events together, which now serve as the twin anchors for Dream Wknd Negril – with a shared
vision to “redefine Jamaica’s entertainment industry, honing its global appeal as the premiere entertainment destination of the Caribbean”.

“Our very first meeting consisted of myself, PJ, and Solomon Sharpe. There were others who were invited and chose not to join”. Notwithstanding, the group quickly expanded with all of the current directors being invited to join forces. “The synergies and creative energies were great from the beginning, so it made for a seamless integration”, stated Matthew Samuda, Dream Wknd’s Conceptualizer.

As Dream celebrates its 15th Anniversary weekend in August 2024, it has undoubtedly become the premier entertainment tourism festival on the island and in the Caribbean at large. Its Directors have managed to revolutionize partying in Jamaica attracting 35,000+ global dreamers
annually, with a plethora of innovative event brands that all contribute to the fulfillment of their initial goal.

– What is the best way to experience Dream WKND in Jamaica? Any special vendors or performances we must check out?
The best way to experience Dream WKND is to be there! From August 2-6th 2024 with 8 events over 5 days, the weekend promises to be a treat for all. At each staging of the Negril weekend, the events are all themed and tend to vary slightly as the Dream team strives to keep the
weekend fresh and exciting. This year Dreamers can look forward to some of their favorites; Wet and Wild (swimwear), Daydreams (all white), Yush (90s -2000s), World Vibes (all black), Celebrity Playground (red and white), and Igloo (sports wear), but for the first time get to
experience Carnival at Dream with Xodus Remedy (carnival wear).

The premium food & drink weekend will feature special performances at every event, from the prince of Dancehall- 450 and International sensation- Jada Kingdom, to Tommy Lee, Teejay and Aidonia.

– How has the brand garnered global recognition? Has it managed to extend Jamaican culture to enthusiasts across the globe?
Dream Wknd has grown exponentially, becoming a household name in Jamaica over its 15 years of existence. It has boosted Jamaica’s tourism by attracting patrons from across the globe to Negril, resulting in a JMD4.5 Billion economic impact annually. Dream Wknd has created a demand so compelling that many patrons’ first visit to Jamaica is specifically for this festival.

If you’re unable to attend the main event in Negril, be on the lookout for Dream WKND pop-up events and destination weekends hosted at locations around the world. This touring initiative allows “Dreamers” who haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit Negril to experience a taste of Jamaica’s vibrant culture and energy. By bringing the Dream WKND experience to different global destinations, the Dream team has successfully fostered a sense of community, enabling Dreamers to come together and celebrate their shared Caribbean heritage at these events.

– This is Dream Wknd’s second staging in NYC. Why NYC? Was there a strategy to bring the event to New York?
The vibrant Caribbean diaspora community in the tri-state area has long been a steadfast supporter of Dream Wknd’s flagship event in Jamaica. Recalling the fond memories and cultural connections shared by this close-knit group, it seemed only natural for Dream to establish a presence here in the big apple. The organizers recognized the deep-rooted ties and nostalgic sentiments this population holds towards their Caribbean heritage, making New York City an ideal location to bring the Dream WKND experience closer to home. By catering to the needs and interests of this thriving diaspora market, Dream can continue to strengthen its brand and foster a sense of community among those who cherish their roots in the region.

– What does the future hold for Dream Weekend?
Building upon the success of its pop-up events in London and New York earlier in 2024, Dream WKND is poised to expand its global footprint further. As the year draws to a close, the brand will return to the United Kingdom with back-to-back pop-up activations in Manchester and
London, setting the stage for its flagship Negril Weekend. Additionally, Dream Wknd will venture north to Toronto, Canada in September, catering to its loyal following in the region. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the Dream team has identified new markets ripe for
exploration. Southern Europe and the UAE have been earmarked as strategic targets, as Dream WKND aims to bring its unique brand of entertainment and cultural celebration to an even wider international audience. This deliberate expansion reflects the brand’s ambition to solidify its position as a premier entertainment destination, resonating with dreamers across the globe.

Tickets are now on sale at www.dreamwknd.com, for the August 2-6, 2024 staging. VIP season band passes at $399 are 89% sold out, so Dreamers are encouraged to take advantage of the available discounts.

TEMPO turns 17 with launch of new streaming platform

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For 17 years, TEMPO Networks has produced groundbreaking content showcasing the vibrant energy of the Caribbean through lifestyle programming focusing on the region’s extraordinary destinations, music, cuisine, artistry and culture.

Primarily viewed on cable throughout the Caribbean and in parts of North America, the world will now be able to access all of this free of charge via TEMPO’s new streaming platform, TEMPO+.

Launched in celebration of the Network’s 17th birthday, TEMPO+ will be available on all platforms, including, iPhones, androids, AppleTV, Amazon Fire, Google TV, Roku, etc. TEMPO+ will be loaded with a select mix of TEMPO’s iconic past shows, current shows, and new shows in development, planned for exclusive release on the platform.

“I can hardly contain my excitement, as we prepare the Network for the next leg of this remarkable journey,” said Frederick A. Morton, Jr., Founder, Chairman and CEO, TEMPO Networks.

Frederick Morton, Jr.

“TEMPO’s 17th anniversary and the launch of TEMPO+, together with the very significant content development initiatives planned are bringing back fond memories of when TEMPO launched in 2005, which most will agree was one of the most exciting times in the history or the Caribbean media and entertainment,” said Morton, Jr.

Pitched initially to MTV in 2005 where Morton Jr worked as Senior Vice President, Head of the litigation department, TEMPO found new life in 2007 when he bought back the channel from MTV to build a brand that would display the Caribbean, as it ought to be.

Following the acquisition, Tempo expanded its programming to include more lifestyle content in keeping with the trend of international music channels.

The Network now plans to “raise the tempo”, developing a series of new content with international formats and partnerships and delving more deeply into the culture and lifestyle with documentaries.

One such partnership is with international media Company, Complex Media, with the launch of the Caribbean version of the popular web series the “Hot Ones”, which debuted in 2021 with a production in Trinidad & Tobago featuring the likes of Dancehall Sensation, Prince Swanny and comedic sensation, Ro’dey.

The series, sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, places talent and celebrities under the heat of consuming hot wings laced with the region’s hottest pepper sauces while being interviewed will be launching its second season from Jamaica in December with an amazing line-up of Jamaican celebs.

The third season is already planned for the United States Virgin Islands, where TEMPO will be announcing a groundbreaking content development plan with the United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

Tapping into the diaspora market, TEMPO also launched a docuseries entitled “Caribbean Dream” that tells the stories of notable people of Caribbean descent who have excelled in their professions, taking them back home to their island on a nostalgic journey. Featured thus far are the likes of Yvette Noel Shure, Beyonce’s publicist from Grenada and Neal Farinah, Celebrity hairstylist to, among others, Nikki Minaj, Beyonce, etc, who hails from Trinidad and Tobago.

TEMPO Networks also launched a series called Hip Hop Origins, which puts a spotlight on the impact of the Caribbean on the world’s leading musical genre, exploring its beginnings in Jamaica and nurturing in the Bronx, NY. The region’s talented upcoming rappers are spotlighted as they navigate their role in the continued evolution of the musical genre.

TEMPO Networks holds the Caribbean franchise for Hot Ones

TEMPO Networks holds the Caribbean franchise for Hot Ones
At 17, TEMPO Networks has clearly come of age, maturing into a full-fledged Caribbean lifestyle juggernaut, expanding and spreading its wings deeply into the heart of its mission – elevating Caribbean culture.

After 17 years of covering Carnivals all over the Caribbean, TEMPO has now also entered the Carnival Mas arena, with its successful debut of TEMPO Mas Tobago’s first carnival, recently launched in October. With an amazing costume designed by well-known Costume designer, Anya Elias, TEMPO launched a section in the Carnival Band, Fog Angels, entitled, you guessed it, the “HOT ONES”.

“It is a gift delivered straight from the hands of the Almighty to be at the helm of this brand TEMPO, particularly as we now reach the world with the launch of our streaming platform, TEMPO+. Seventeen years after its birth, I am just as excited, even more, than I was then for the amazing work ahead. Rest assured, we will continue to adjust to the changing times, keeping our core values intact, but always remaining the “Hot One,” said Morton Jr.

To access TEMPO Networks content, check us out on your local cable listings or download TEMPO+

Azaryah and DLL release summer anthem “Strip” powered by WMT Music

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Canadian-based record label WMT Music (Wifi Money Team Music) has partnered with Trinidadian creatives Azaryah and DLL out of DLL Productionz to release the hit record “Strip.” The song quickly climbed the American iTunes Reggae charts and peaked at number 7, it is currently sitting on the Top 100 chart. Azaryah formerly known as Flipo has been continuously making a name for himself in the music industry. To date, he has produced, collaborated, and written for various established artist such as Shensea, Major Lazer, Machel Montano, and Ravi B just to name a few. He has also been featured on Billboard for his collaboration with Major Lazer on “Love Life.” DLL also has a diverse catalog of music with major credits such as Troy Ave, Kerwin Du Bious, Destra, DJ Bravo, Jimmy October, Chromatics, and much more.

Azaryah’s vocals stand out in the song with seductive and smooth lyrics combined with heavenly melodies. The Trinidadian native is known for having a huge female fan base and this song is expected to be a hit with the ladies. Independent record label WMT Music founded by Myles Kofi Fynn-Aggrey has been having a lot of success with its previous release “Zeus” charting on iTunes, trending on Audimack, and getting a lot of press coverage. We are excited to see how far this song goes over the rest of summer and wish everyone involved all the best.

Stream “Strip”

Stream Song

For more updates follow WMT Music, Azaryah, and DLL on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/wmtmusic
https://instagram.com/azaryahofficial
https://instagram.com/dllpro1

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Launches Global Summer Campaign

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Photo Caption: The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority yesterday launched its global summer advertising campaign. The ‘AND’ theme highlights the luxury and authenticity of this twin island nation (Photo Courtesy: The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority)

ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (June 28, 2022) – The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority yesterday launched its global summer advertising campaign which highlights the luxury and authenticity of the destination. The twin island nation is looking to capture consumer hearts and minds in what is predicted to be a competitive market as consumer become more discerning and value conscious with their vacation spending.

Each facet of the campaign images focuses on the word ‘AND’ to highlight the breadth and depth of the authentic travel experiences available on Antigua and Barbuda, as well as reinforce and reflect the strength of the product offering as a two-island nation.

Commenting on the campaign, Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism for Antigua and Barbuda says, “It was vital for us to launch a campaign for the summer which communicates our unique offering as a holiday experience and so we are delighted that this is reflected in the look and feel of our new digital and social advertising imagery.

It has all been carefully curated so that the consumer can be in no doubt that Antigua and Barbuda offers the perfect combination of luxury and value – experiences which create priceless memories within a relaxing and authentic environment.”

Every digital and social media asset of the campaign is set around four main image themes designed to illustrate the range of experiences available on Antigua and Barbuda. They are: ‘Enjoy Carnival’, ‘Stunning Islands’, ‘Gorgeous Beaches’ and ‘Gourmet Seafood’.
CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority added “The campaign shows how much Antigua and Barbuda has to offer as a destination in a totally ownable and memorable way. The answer was in the name – and the logo. The ‘AND’ provides us with a vehicle to showcase the islands’ many sides – and say ‘why compromise when you can have everything?”
The campaign will be delivering millions of digital impressions, across the various source markets and is designed to reflect all that Antigua and Barbuda has to offer in a distinctive and memorable way. The modern traveler is looking for luxury as well as authenticity and luckily on Antigua and Barbuda, they don’t have to make a choice as they can have it all!

For imagery, click here and view the video assets here.

For more information on Antigua and Barbuda visit here.

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ABOUT THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

The Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority is a statutory body dedicated to realizing the tourism potential of Antigua & Barbuda by promoting the twin island state as a unique, quality tourist destination with the overall objective of increasing visitor arrivals thereby providing sustainable economic growth. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is headquartered in St. John’s Antigua, where regional marketing is directed. The Authority has three offices overseas in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada.

ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year. The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere. Find information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/antiguabarbuda; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntiguaBarbuda/; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda/

FOR ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA MEDIA ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Maria Blackman
Marketing Communications Manager
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
T: 1 (268) 562 7600/464-7601
E: maria.blackman@visitaandb.com

Antigua and Barbuda Images: aandbtourism.fotoseeker.com

Munga Honorable kicks off summer with ‘Bad From Mi Born’ birthday party

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June 17, 2022. Kingston, Jamaica. – International dancehall artist Munga Honorable kicked off the summer with his 1st staging of his annual ‘Bad From Mi Born’ birthday-party-turned-stage-show held at Pagee Beach in Port Maria, St. Mary on Saturday June 11, 2022.

Damian Rhoden, more popularly known as Munga Honorable, has always been one to make powerful moves when it comes to his career. The eloquent street smart Dancehall DeeJay has an infectious flow and hardcore rhymes.

The ‘Bad From Mi Born’ DeeJay had a venue filled with patrons rocking, singing and dancing to the popular songs from some of the hottest entertainers in the industry. The event featured several exciting performances from heavyweights such as Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Aidonia, Charly Blacks, Jahshi and Munga Honorable himself. Upcoming artists such as Risin Son, Natural Flames, Ski Gad Gaado and Danii Boo were also present at Munga Honorable’s ‘Bad From Mi Born’ event.

As promised, all the featured artists were all present, thus in ‘historic dancehall fashion’ a spontaneous freestyle took place to the delight of the patrons. With the musical support of Dj Mental, Chubb Rock, Badda Bling & Niney from ‘Di Unit’ soundsystem.

Following the day of his event Munga Honorable also made a special guest appearance at Bounty Killer’s ‘It’s a Party’ 50th birthday celebration held at The Digicel Headquarters in Downtown, Kingston on Sunday June 12, 2022.

What’s next for Munga Honorable? A new album, an international collab, several shows and appearances throughout the summer, his annual back-2-school treat in August and more productions from his record label Hilltop Records.

Patrons can look out for the next staging of ‘Bad From Mi Born’ in June 2023.

Hilltop Records 2022

What Yuh Know? TEMPO Networks taps Daniel Loveless To be Host of Hot Ones Caribbean – Now you know!

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May 7th, 2021 (Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.) – TEMPO Networks is thrilled to announce that the host of Hot Ones Caribbean will be none other than Daniel Loveless of the super-popular web series, What Yuh Know?. No stranger to asking interesting questions, Daniel is sure to put Hot Ones Caribbean celebrity guest on the spot, in the Hot Seat, keeping viewers well in the know.

If there were a Caribbean name synonymous with a TV show based on questions and answers, Daniel Loveless would be it. The twenty-two-year-old comedic personality has built his widely successful entertainment career on asking complete strangers a diverse range of trivia questions on his hit YouTube entertainment series, What Yuh Know? He has travelled to over 26 destinations worldwide producing content and has amassed a following of over 800,000 across platforms and 28 million views on YouTube.

When asked why he agreed to host Hot Ones Caribbean, Daniel indicated “I am both honored and humbled for the opportunity to be selected by TEMPO Networks as the host of Hot Ones Caribbean. As a media personality born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, I aspire to be one of the many talents that aid in further putting the Caribbean on the map. Therefore, any opportunity that aligns with this aspiration is a dream and opportunity of a lifetime”.

Daniel’s charming, yet disarming, personality and ability to solicit honest responses from his interviewees make him the ideal host of Hot Ones Caribbean. Not excluding his wit and creativity, Daniel Loveless knows how to turn any appearance he makes into a memorable moment, and we dare say he is a “Hot One”.

“Daniel is a super-talented, intellectually gifted, respectful young man with a solid sense of purpose, said Frederick A. Morton, Jr., Founder, Chairman & CEO of TEMPO Networks and Producer of Hot Ones Caribbean. “He met every single criteria that I had in mind for the Host, including experience in asking Hot questions — I am confident that I have chosen well and that he will be huge hit”.

TEMPO is currently in pre-production of the Caribbean version of Complex Networks award-winning show Hot Ones. An extraordinary line-up of talent is being finalized for the first season who are ready to feast on some hot wings dipped in the finest and hottest Caribbean Pepper Sauce locally, regionally and internationally. Hot Ones Caribbean is carded to premier this summer – a hot one for sure!

OLD DUPPY & ALVIN’S TWO REGIONAL PEPPER SAUCES TAKE THEIR SPOT ON THE HOT TABLE

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April 20th, 2021 (Trinidad & Tobago, WI.) – The Hot Table just got hotter as two regional Pepper Sauce brands secured their spot on Hot Ones Caribbean.  Old Duppy Pepper Sauces from Barbados and Alvin’s Hot Sauce from St. Croix, USVI have joined the “Pepper Sauce Cast” both with unique flavors that is sure to delight to the Celebrity cast on the show.

Old Duppy Pepper Sauces started from the passion for cooking and a recognition that there was an opportunity in the pepper sauce market in Barbados to be creative.  The very first sauce, “Fiery Pineapple”, was an immediate hit with its fresh pineapple flavour and real wood smoked peppers.  From mild Jalapenos, to scorching hot Carolina Reapers, combined with unique complementary ingredients Old Duppy pepper sauces not only bring the heat, but are packed with flavour and complexity.

When asked why they had to be on Hot Ones Caribbean, Director Nicholas Bynoe of Old Duppy, indicated:  “We just had to be – Not only is it a great opportunity to showcase our brand, but the show is a fantastic platform to promote Caribbean products as a whole to a wider global audience”.  

Hailing from Christiansted, St. Croix USVI is Alvin’s Hot Sauce.  Partnering with local island farmers and growers across the region Alvin’s combines the perfect blend of fruit (papaya), peppers (Scotch Bonnet), and spices.  Boasting 12 Awards which include the National 2019 Scovie Awards for Alvin’s Red Pepper Hot Sauce, 1st place Hot Sauce – Unique, 2nd place Wing Sauce – Unique and 3rd place Hot Sauce – World Beat, Alvin’s is in the business of winning with his Pepper Sauces. When asked why Hot Ones Caribbean is important, Alvin’s CEO, Alvin Franklin, proffered “Hot Ones is an international brand and platform, Frederick Morton, CEO of TEMPO foresight to bring Hot Ones to the Caribbean will open doors for brands like mine to be seen globally, and will create more opportunities for trade. I am very excited to be featured on Hot Ones Caribbean and am looking forward to the long term rewards” Alvin said.

“Hot One’s Caribbean most definitely heats up with the entry of Old Duppy pepper sauce from one of my favorite islands, Barbados and Alvin’s from my home, St. Croix USVI, where I was born and raised, said Frederick Morton Jr, Founder & CEO of TEMPO Networks, as well as Producer of Hot One’s Caribbean.  “The diversity and uniqueness of these Caribbean pepper sauces make them a natural for the hot table and I am certain our celebrity guests will feel the fire and enjoy the great taste of these amazing brands”, said Morton.

FLOW JOINS TEMPO NETWORK’S PRODUCTION AND LAUNCH OF THE CARIBBEAN VERISION OF HIT SERIES HOT ONES

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April 14th, 2021 (Trinidad & Tobago, WI.) –   Flow and TEMPO Networks are teaming up once again to produce exciting culturally-relevant Caribbean content.   TEMPO is currently in production of the Caribbean version of Complex Networks’ award-winning show Hot Ones, spotlighting Caribbean Pepper Sauce Manufacturers locally, regionally and internationally who are fortunate enough to land a spot at the Hot Table for the inaugural season of Hot Ones Caribbean.

Like the original series, the show will feature top Caribbean talent and celebrities, while they experience the taste and heat of the hottest Caribbean pepper sauces, like Bertie’s and Habernero from Trinidad & Tobago, Alvin’s from the United States Virgin Islands and Old Duppy from Barbados, among others.  Ms. Raelene Rydzik, Director, Entertainment Acquisition, Cable & Wireless Communications, stated “We are delighted to again partner with TEMPO to bring original, Caribbean content like ‘HOT ONES’ to Flow customers.  Our Flow 1 channel is an excellent platform for highlighting the diverse interests and cultures of our Caribbean audience.”

The two companies successfully partnered before in the production of ground-breaking Caribbean content, including the well-received series, Caribbean Dream, which profiles the journey of Caribbean nationals who have migrated internationally and achieved great success in their professions.  The Caribbean Dream series has thus far featured Ms. Yvette Noel-Schure from Grenada, who is super-star recording artist, Beyonce’s, long-time publicist; Celebrity Hair Stylist, Mr. Neal Farinah, whose star-studded client list includes Beyonce, Nikki Minaj and many others; and Essence Chief Content Officer, Ms. Moana Lu from Martinique.

“TEMPO has partnered with Flow in varying capacities from its inception in 2005 and we are grateful to have Flow as a committed partner in the development of quality Caribbean content, said Frederick A. Morton, Jr., Founder, Chairman & CEO, TEMPO Networks.  “The partnership has always been a HOT ONE and therefore it is no surprise that we are once again coming together to produce this exciting show, Hot Ones Caribbean, that can entertain our audiences, while at the same time have an extraordinary impact on so many of our industries, creative, tourism, trade, agriculture, etc”, said Morton

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO LOCAL HOT PEPPER SAUCES, BERTIE’S AND HABENERO TRINIDAD SECURE THEIR SPOT ON THE HOT TABLE FOR HOT ONES CARIBBEAN

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April 7th, 2021 (Trinidad & Tobago, WI.) – Two local Pepper Sauce brands Bertie’s and Habanero Trinidad will be on the Hot Table for Hot Ones Caribbean.  Since the announcement that TEMPO Networks has partnered with COMPLEX Networks to launch a Caribbean version of the award-winning show Hot Ones, Caribbean Pepper Sauce Manufacturers locally, regionally and internationally have been vying to land a spot on the Hot Table for the inaugural season.

Locally, Bertie’s Pepper sauce, the first to sign on and be selected, was established in 2004 in the family’s kitchen and boasts of its perfect balance of hot, flavorful, local homemade taste.  From their kitchen to our homes, today Bertie’s can be found in almost all the major supermarkets in Trinidad and Tobago.  Logan Steuart, Sales Director of Bertie’s Pepper Sauce, said “He is thrilled to be on the Hot Table, long-time fans of the original Hot Ones Series, we jumped at the opportunity of being on the Caribbean version of the show, we have always looked for new ways to expand and communicate to our current and potential customers.  Hot Ones Caribbean will allow Bertie’s to showcase our products to both a regional and worldwide audience, which is both a new and exciting venture we are ready for.”

Bringing more heat to the table, with a balance of fiery heat and flavour is locally produced pepper sauce, Habanero Trinidad, made using the world’s second hottest pepper, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Pepper. With distributors in New York, Florida and St. Maarten, a supplier for two local hotel chains, fast food outlets and manufacturer of the legendary pepper sauce from the Calypso Queen herself, Calypso Rose, called “Scorpion Fire Fire”, Habanero has been in the Pepper business for almost a decade.  It is therefore no surprise that Habanero is on the Hot Table.

When asked how she feels about being involved in Hot Ones Caribbean, Sharon Chautilal, Director of Habanero Trinidad, said “I feel very passionate about what I do and have always said that the way the world view pepper/hot sauce is different to how we view and feel about pepper sauce in the Caribbean.  It is more than just a product, it is a part of our culture”.  It is an entire experience which includes “Caribbean Arts, Entertainment, Culture and Cuisine — we share TEMPO Networks’ vision and believe that this partnership will give the Caribbean people the opportunity to share their stories to the world and help achieve this mandate,” said Chautilal.

In connection with the export, marketing and promotion regionally and internationally of the local brands featured on the Hot Ones and its own Caribbean Pepper Sauce brand, TEMPO is in discussions with exporTT Ltd., the trade policy implementation agency of the Ministry of Trade. exporTT ‘s General Manager (Ag), Mr Dhanraj Harrypersad said “Pepper and pepper sauce in Trinidad and Tobago are products ingrained in our culture and act as the ultimate differentiator in export markets”.  When asked about the benefits of diversifying a product like TEMPO’s Hot Ones Caribbean Show, to develop and export local Pepper sauce for the food sector, to service new markets,  Harrypersad stated “at exporTT, we support local companies to get their products to far-flung places so customers can satisfy their pepper cravings. This programme and its reach will be instrumental in bringing clients and pepper enthusiasts in contact with our manufacturers and products. We are happy to partner with TEMPO and Complex to add some ‘Trini’ flavour to the world!”

Film TT, the Trinidad & Tobago state agency established in 2006 to facilitate the growth and development of the film and audio-visual sector in Trinidad & Tobago,  is providing critical support to TEMPO to facilitate the local production needs.   With regards to developing content that markets and promotes the local production of the local pepper sauces featured, Leslie-Ann Wills-Caton – General Manger FilmTT stated,  “This is the  kind of embedded marketing that FilmTT is always seeking to promote and share with the private sector. Product placement can boost sales, facilitate brand goodwill and aid brand awareness. We are excited to partner with TEMPO and Complex to help facilitate this opportunity for our local pepper sauce manufacturers.”

TEMPO Founder & CEO and Producer of the Hot Ones Caribbean, Frederick A. Morton Jr., indicated that “as the TEMPO team revs up in production and the excitement mounts for the summer launch of the Hot Ones, we are super-excited to welcome both Bertie’s and Habanero Trinidad to the Hot table — I personally look forward to placing an international spotlight on (and trying) all of our terrific brands locally from Trinidad & Tobago and from throughout the Caribbean and diaspora, as I am convinced, we have the best in the world”.