News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. April 10, 2026: Afrika Bambaataa, the Bronx-born DJ and cultural innovator widely regarded as a founding figure of hip-hop, has died at age 68, leaving behind a legacy deeply rooted in Caribbean heritage and global cultural influence.

Bambaataa, born Lance Taylor in New York City to Jamaican and Barbadian parents, was shaped by the traditions, rhythms, and community ethos of the Caribbean diaspora in the Bronx. His upbringing in the Bronx River Projects reflected a broader Caribbean-American experience that helped inform the early identity of hip-hop culture, with an activist mother and uncle. As a child, he was exposed to the black liberation movement and witnessed debates between his mother and uncle over conflicting ideologies within it. He was exposed to his mother’s extensive and eclectic record collection.

FLASHBACK – Caribbean American DJ & Rapper Afrika Bambaataa (born Lance Taylor) performs onstage at Club de Ville, Austin, Texas, October 26, 2007. (Photo by John Anderson/The Austin Chronicle/Getty Images)

His death was confirmed Thursday by the Universal Zulu Nation, the international movement he founded to promote peace, unity, and cultural awareness through music. No official cause of death has been released.

Emerging in the 1970s, Bambaataa became a central figure in organizing block parties in the South Bronx, where Caribbean sound system culture, DJing traditions, and rhythmic experimentation converged. These gatherings laid the foundation for hip-hop as a global genre.

His landmark 1982 single, Planet Rock, fused electronic beats with rap, helping to define the electro-funk sound and influence generations of artists worldwide. The track is widely credited with expanding hip-hop’s sonic boundaries beyond its New York roots.

Bambaataa’s Caribbean lineage played a key role in his approach to music and community-building. Like many Caribbean-American pioneers of early hip-hop, he drew from a tradition of storytelling, rhythm, and social commentary that transcended borders.

Through the Universal Zulu Nation, he transformed his early involvement with street gangs into a global cultural movement, echoing the communal values often found in Caribbean societies. The organization became instrumental in exporting hip-hop culture internationally.

However, his later years were marked by serious allegations of child sexual abuse. Beginning in 2016, multiple accusers came forward, and in 2025 he lost a civil case involving abuse and trafficking claims. The allegations led to his departure from the organization he founded and complicated his legacy.

For Caribbean-American communities, Bambaataa’s life reflects both the powerful cultural contributions of the diaspora and the complexities of legacy in public life. His role in shaping hip-hop remains undeniable, even as his personal history continues to be scrutinized.

As tributes emerge, Bambaataa is being remembered as a figure whose Caribbean roots helped influence one of the most important cultural movements of the modern era.

WATCH HIM PERFORMING HERE

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Mar. 30, 2026: Rihanna may not have been in Guyana on Saturday, but her presence was unmistakable.

Fenty Beauty, the globally recognized cosmetics brand founded by the Barbadian superstar, officially launched in Guyana on March 28th, marking a significant milestone for the country’s retail landscape and highlighting a broader shift in how global brands are engaging with Caribbean markets.

FLASHBACK – Rihanna is seen on January 19, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images)

The highly anticipated launch took place at Glamour Beauty’s MovieTowne location in Georgetown, drawing strong crowds despite inclement weather. For many customers, it was a long-awaited opportunity to access a brand that has already built a loyal following across the Caribbean diaspora.

The rollout was spearheaded by Glamour Beauty, one of Guyana’s premier retail chains, founded by entrepreneur Varsha Sharma. According to Sharma, the launch followed a year-long effort to secure a contract with Fenty Beauty – a process that reflects both the complexity of global brand partnerships and the growing readiness of Guyana’s retail sector to meet international standards.

FLASHBACL : Rihanna poses in front of own ad campaign at bus stop in Barbados bearing mother’s name after Fenty Beauty was launched in her Caribbean hometown in 2024. (IG image)

“This launch proves that Guyana is no longer on the sidelines of beauty,” Sharma told News Room Guyana. “We’re part of it now. We’re not just launching a brand. We’re making a statement that Guyana is ready – that we deserve global brands and that we can deliver world-class experiences right here at home.”

The expansion was supported by Miami-based distributor Essence Corp, which is helping drive Fenty Beauty’s growth across the Caribbean. While the brand has long been accessible through online purchases and informal distribution channels, its direct retail presence in Guyana marks a new level of accessibility for local consumers.

Guyana now joins more than ten Caribbean territories where Fenty Beauty products are available, reflecting a steady expansion strategy aligned with rising consumer demand across the region.

At the launch, customers were able to test products on-site, with professional makeup artists providing personalized shade matching and recommendations. For many, the experience represented more than convenience — it signaled a shift in what is available locally.

“It’s like knowing that Fenty is here means I can explore skincare and makeup without having to order overseas,” News Room quoted customer Matthew Jeffrey as saying. “We’ve had options before, but mostly drugstore brands. This is different.”

The brand’s emphasis on inclusivity – particularly its wide range of shades designed to serve diverse skin tones – has been a key factor in its global success and strong resonance within Caribbean communities. Local influencers and beauty professionals have long advocated for its availability in Guyana.

Makeup artist and influencer Chantelle Sewett described the launch as transformative for the local beauty industry. “I’m ecstatic,” she was quoted by News Room as saying. “From a makeup artist’s perspective, this is a huge deal. It’s big for our country. The fact that we are being recognized – that matters.”

Beyond beauty, the launch carries broader economic significance.

As Guyana continues to experience rapid growth driven by its expanding oil sector, rising incomes and increased consumer spending are attracting greater attention from international brands. The arrival of globally recognized names like Fenty Beauty reflects growing confidence in the country’s economic trajectory and its potential as a viable retail market.

For consumers, the benefits are immediate: access to premium products without the added costs of international shipping, and the ability to purchase new releases in real time alongside global markets.

For the Caribbean, however, the implications are even more profound.

The launch underscores a shift in how the region is viewed – not as an afterthought, but as a market worth investing in.

Rihanna may not have been there. But her brand’s arrival makes one thing clear: Guyana – and the Caribbean – are no longer on the sidelines.

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News Americas, TORONTO, Canada, Fri. Mar. 20, 2026: Award-winning actress, CCH Pounder, is helping to spearhead the expansion of the Cross Continental Forum (CCF), an international co-production platform connecting producers across Africa and the global diaspora, as the initiative moves its 2026 edition to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

CCH Pounder, Award Winning Actor, and CCF Steering Group Member.

“Creation, to me, is our most powerful act of connection. Expanding the Cross Continental Forum to South Africa allows us to turn shared heritage into shared enterprise – creatively, economically and strategically,” commented CCH Pounder, Award Winning Actor, and CCF Steering Group Member.

A Gateway For Global Collaboration

The move is being made in partnership with UMEDA, the economic development agency for the Pietermaritzburg Midlands, and South African production company Pambili Media. The partnership reflects growing interest in building stronger co-production links between Africa, the Caribbean and Diaspora markets as demand increases for globally relevant stories and talent.

“KwaZulu-Natal is ready to engage the global screen economy in new ways. Partnering with the Cross Continental Forum connects our region’s creative industries with international producers, while positioning the Midlands as a gateway for collaboration between Africa and the global marketplace,” stated Michael Newton, CEO of UMEDA.

CCF’s 2026 theme Bridging Markets, Building Futures focuses on strengthening Black authorship and Global South leadership in international co-productions, so that producers enter partnerships as originating partners and rights holders, and creative control and intellectual property remain rooted in the communities where the stories begin.

“For us at Pambili Media, this partnership is about creating the conditions for meaningful collaboration – where projects can be developed locally while building the international relationships they need to travel globally,” said Sydney Masina, partner at Pambili Media.

“Creating strong business connections between Africa and the Diaspora will be the great success story of the 21st Century, one that will be increasingly rewarding and profitable as we move forward,” US-based Pambili partner Steven Adams, who has a long history of working between Africa and the United States

Launched by CaribbeanTales Media Group in 2024, the Cross Continental Forum brings together film and television producers from Africa, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and the Americas with potential co-production partners.

After two successful editions in Barbados, the 2026 program will begin with an in-person gathering in the Pietermaritzburg Midlands, KwaZulu-Natal, from July 20-26, presented in partnership with UMEDA and Pambili Media. The program will then continue during the Toronto International Film Festival Market (Sept. 8 – 13), followed by four weeks of virtual labs and curated B2B matchmaking sessions.

Driving South South Collaboration

With the recent co-production agreement signed between South Africa and Nigeria, and the continued growth of the African Continental Free Trade Area, (AfCFTA), cross-regional collaboration in the creative industries is entering a transformative phase. 

The AfCFTA connects 55 African Union nations, forming the world’s largest free trade area by membership.

“We’re witnessing the potential of the AfCFTA to come to life through creative industry partnerships. South Africa’s dynamic screen industry, combined with its co-production infrastructure, positions it as a strategic gateway for South–South collaboration and creative entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Keith Nurse, Cultural Industries Specialist, Chair of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution. 

“The Cross Continental Forum was designed from the outset to move between locations across the Global South.  It is part of a long-term effort to build sustainable co-production pipelines linking African, Caribbean, and diaspora producers to the global screen marketplace,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, Founder and CEO, CaribbeanTales Media Group.

Applications are now open to Black producers and producers of Global Majority descent from Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, the U.K., Europe, and South/Latin America. 

Applications close April 15, with a limited number of bursaries available.

About The Cross Continental Forum

The Cross Continental Forum, established by CaribbeanTales Media Group, is a co-production accelerator connecting Black and Global Majority producers across Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and the Americas. The hybrid program provides mentorship, training and industry connections designed to support sustainable and equitable global partnerships.

For more information and to apply before April 15, 2026, visit:  www.decolonisingcoproduction.com/apply/

News Americas, LOS ANGELES, CA, Mon. Mar. 16, 2026: Two actors with Caribbean roots – veteran British-Jamaican performer Delroy Lindo and Harlem-born actress Teyana Taylor – fell short of taking home Oscars at the 2026 Academy Awards despite strong nominations that highlighted the growing influence of Caribbean diaspora talent in Hollywood.

The awards ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien and broadcast Sunday, March 15 on ABC, saw Lindo nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Taylor nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

(L-R) Damiri Lindo and guest, Nashormeh N. R. Lindo and UK Caribbean roots actor Delroy Lindo attend the 98th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 15, 2026. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images)

However, the awards ultimately went to Sean Penn for Best Supporting Actor and Amy Madigan for Best Supporting Actress. Penn did not attend the ceremony to collect his award, while Taylor was seen applauding Madigan from the audience.

Both Caribbean-rooted nominees had arrived at the Oscars with significant momentum. Lindo, 73, attended the ceremony with his family, while Taylor turned heads on the red carpet with a standout fashion moment before the ceremony began.

Caribbean roots actress Teyana Taylor attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

For many across the Caribbean diaspora, the nominations themselves were historic, particularly for Lindo, whose decades-long career has shaped modern Black cinema.

Born in Lewisham, London, to Jamaican parents who were part of the Windrush generation, Lindo’s journey reflects a broader Caribbean diaspora story. After moving to Canada as a teenager, he later relocated to the United States where he trained at the American Conservatory Theater and built a career spanning film, television, and stage.

Lindo earned his first Academy Award nomination for his performance as Delta Slim in the genre-blending vampire thriller “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler. Critics widely praised his portrayal of a Mississippi blues musician whose music anchors a juke joint that becomes the center of supernatural conflict.

The film itself was a major success, earning 16 Oscar nominations – the most ever for a single film – while also posting a 97 percent critics score and 96 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Globally, the film earned roughly $368 million at the box office.

For Lindo, the nomination marked long-overdue recognition for a career that has often been celebrated by critics but overlooked by major awards bodies.

He has previously drawn awards-season attention for iconic performances, including his role as West Indian Archie in Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” and his acclaimed performance in “Da 5 Bloods.”

Lindo has acknowledged that past awards snubs were disappointing but said he tries not to define his career by recognition alone.

“To have been working as an actor for the length of time that I have… the fact that audiences still apparently find what I’m doing interesting — that’s not a given,” he said in a recent interview.

TAYLOR

Meanwhile, Taylor’s nomination reflected a different but equally powerful diaspora story.

Born in Harlem to a Trinidadian father and an African American mother, Taylor has built a multi-dimensional career as a singer, dancer, actress and creative director.

Her role as Perfidia in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film “One Battle After Another” earned critical acclaim and followed her historic Golden Globe win earlier this year for Best Supporting Actress – making her only the second Black performer of Caribbean heritage to win a Golden Globe after Bahamian-roots film legend Sidney Poitier.

Taylor’s performance was praised for its emotional depth and vulnerability, helping redefine how Black women are portrayed on screen.

Though she did not take home the Oscar, her nomination continues a broader trend of Caribbean-descended talent gaining recognition across the global entertainment industry.

For Caribbean audiences and diaspora communities around the world, the moment remains significant. Both Lindo and Taylor represent generations of Caribbean influence in global culture – from the Windrush legacy in Britain to the Caribbean-shaped communities of New York.

While the Oscars did not deliver victories this year, the nominations themselves reinforced the growing visibility and impact of Caribbean-rooted artists at the highest levels of international cinema.

RELATED: Teyana Taylor Makes Golden Globe History As Second Caribbean-Rooted Black Winner

News Americas, MIAMI, FL, Thurs. Mar. 12, 2026: A moment that blended global pop culture with hemispheric diplomacy unfolded in South Florida over the weekend when Trinidad-born superstar Nicki Minaj met Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar during a reception following U.S. President Donald Trump’s Shield of the Americas Summit in Doral.

Nicki Minaj meets Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at President Trump’s Shield of the Americas Summit reception in Doral, blending Caribbean culture with hemispheric politics.

The brief meeting between the world-famous rapper and the Caribbean leader quickly went viral after Minaj shared a video and message with her more than 26 million followers on social media.

“She’s in the ‘boys club’ of politics & I’ve been in the ‘boys club’ of Hip Hop,” Minaj wrote on X. “It was such an honour to meet the Prime Minister of my birth country @ President Trump’s Shield of the Americas summit today in Doral, FL.”

The post immediately sparked widespread reactions online, with thousands of fans celebrating the moment as a meeting of two influential Caribbean women who have each navigated male-dominated arenas – global music and national politics.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar later reposted Minaj’s message, responding: “Thank you Nicki Minaj for your kind words. Your global success continues to make Trinidad and Tobago proud.”

The encounter took place at a reception following the inaugural Shield of the Americas Summit hosted by President Trump at the Trump National Doral resort near Miami on March 7th.

The summit brought together leaders and representatives from roughly a dozen Latin American and Caribbean countries to launch a new regional initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation against drug cartels, organized crime and other transnational security threats.

Trump used the meeting to formally launch what his administration called the “Shield of the Americas,” a new multinational framework designed to coordinate intelligence sharing, law-enforcement cooperation and potentially military support among participating countries to combat criminal networks operating across the hemisphere.

Among the lone Caribbean leaders attending the summit were Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, Guyana’s Irfaan Ali and Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader.

Major regional powers including Brazil, Mexico and Colombia were notably absent from the gathering. During his remarks, Trump emphasized a more aggressive approach to combating drug trafficking and organized crime in the region, including expanded military cooperation among partner nations.

But while the summit focused largely on geopolitics, security and regional strategy, the unexpected appearance of Minaj at the reception added a cultural dimension to the gathering. Born in Trinidad and raised in the United States, Minaj, once a Trump critic has now according to her own words, become “his biggest fan.” She is widely considered the best-selling female rapper of all time, with more than 100 million records sold worldwide.

Across social media platforms, many described Minaj and Persad-Bissessar as “two queens” of the Caribbean – one dominating global hip-hop and the other navigating the complex arena of international politics. Others highlighted the symbolism of two Trinidad-born women succeeding in spaces historically dominated by men.

The viral moment may have been brief, but it illustrated how Caribbean culture, diaspora influence and global politics increasingly intersect in unexpected ways.

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