News Americas, New York, NY, February 19, 2025: The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is set to celebrate its 45th anniversary in grand style, blending world-class sailing with an electrifying entertainment lineup featuring reggae legends The Wailers.

The Wailers

As part of the milestone event, The Wailers will headline the final night of the regatta on Sunday, March 9, 2025, delivering an unforgettable performance to close out four days of thrilling races and high-energy festivities. The band’s set will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Natural Mystic album, featuring hits like Natural Mystic, Positive Vibration, and Roots, Rock, Reggae, alongside new music from their latest album Evolution.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to mark 45 years of ‘Serious Fun!’ than with the legendary sounds of The Wailers,” said Cary Byerley, Regatta Chair. “Their timeless music and uplifting energy perfectly capture the spirit of the Regatta, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to St. Maarten.”

The regatta, running from March 6-9, 2025, will offer a unique mix of top-tier yacht racing and vibrant island entertainment. Daily prize-giving ceremonies will kick off at 6 PM at the Port de Plaisance Regatta Village, followed by performances from regional stars like Tamillia, King James, Orange Grove, Trilla-G, and Alison Hinds. The four-day event is free and open to the public, inviting visitors to enjoy the best of sailing by day and legendary parties by night.

Beyond the music, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta remains one of the premier sailing events in the Caribbean, with over 100 boats competing in various classes, including dueling 76-ft Maxi race boats, a fleet of over 20 Sunsail bareboats, and the high-performance Diam 24s.

For 45 years, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has been more than just a sailing competition – it’s a celebration of culture, music, and the vibrant spirit of the island. With The Wailers headlining the grand finale, this year’s event promises to be one for the history books.

For more information and bookings, visit www.heinekenregatta.com.

News Americas, New York, NY, December 20, 2024: Soca superstar Machel Montano and cricket legend-turned-artist Dwayne “DJ Bravo” are setting the stage for Carnival 2025 with their latest musical collaboration, the “Pineapple Riddim.” The vibrant project, launched on December 18th at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, features an impressive lineup of talent, including Montano, Patrice Roberts, Lyrikal, Barbadian soca icon Rupee, and emerging artist 47 Ronzy.

The riddim is a joint venture between Montano’s Monk Music and Bravo’s 47 Productions, signaling a strong commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in soca music.

Promoting Culture and Collaboration

Speaking at the launch event alongside Bravo, Lyrikal, Rupee, and 47 Ronzy, Montano emphasized the importance of investing in Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural and creative industries. He highlighted that while the nation has historically prioritized oil and business sectors, arts and culture have often been overlooked.

“Trinidad and Tobago is rich in culture,” Montano said. “Caribbean music, soca music, is a Caribbean product, and Monk Music has embraced that platform to support young people. We aim to build bridges with global platforms like Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and Empire to give rising artists access to the tools and relationships they need to succeed.”

Reflections on Soca Monarch and the Future of Soca

Addressing the recently announced government-led soca competition and calls to revive the Soca Monarch, Montano shared his perspective on the evolution of the music industry.

“In life, we don’t get to go back, only forward. What got us here won’t get us there,” he said, reflecting on the golden era of Soca Monarch competitions featuring himself, Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons, Destra Garcia, Iwer George, and SuperBlue.

While acknowledging the foundational role of Soca Monarch in building artists’ careers, Montano emphasized that the current era demands collaboration over competition. He called for a focus on enhancing the quality of soca music, including its writing, production, marketing, and messaging, to inspire both young people and the wider nation.

“I believe soca is next in line to become mainstream,” Montano said. “Afrobeats is taking the world by storm, and its sound is very similar to soca. We need to focus on making soca a global product by increasing access to new audiences in regions like India, Africa, and London, while nurturing the new generation of rising artists.”

Supporting Emerging Talent

Montano and Bravo both spoke about the importance of developing young talent like 47 Ronzy, with Bravo highlighting his persistence in collaborating with Montano to bring the riddim to life. The event also featured live snippets of the tracks from all five artists. Patrice Roberts, who was overseas, appeared via video to share her excitement about her contribution to the project.

Montano concluded by expressing optimism about the future of soca music, citing the interest of international audiences, including a German contingent currently studying and investing in soca.

“Carnival and competitions will always exist, but our focus is on working together to take soca to new heights,” he said.

The Pineapple Riddim is poised to make waves in the Carnival 2025 season, celebrating the genre’s vibrant energy and global potential.

Listen HERE

News Americas, New York, NY, December 5, 2024: A$AP Rocky took a moment to celebrate Rihanna, his partner and muse, during his acceptance speech at the 38th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards (FNAAs) in New York City last night. The rapper received the Collaboration of the Year award for his successful partnership with Puma but made sure to shine the spotlight on Rihanna, calling her his inspiration.

Barbadian singer/actress Rihanna and partner us rapper A$AP Rocky arrive for the 38th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street in New York on December 4, 2024. (Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)

“I was inspired when my lady received this thing almost a decade ago,” Rocky said, referring to Rihanna’s previous FNAA honor. “Her doing that, she inspires me a lot.” He invited Rihanna and the Puma team to join him on stage, calling the recognition “one of the best accomplishments ever.”

The couple, who share two children, RZA and Riot, lit up the evening with their stylish appearance and Rocky’s heartfelt words. His speech balanced humor and gratitude as he reflected on his influence in the sneaker world, joking, “I thought there was something missing in the market—and it was me,” before adding, “I wouldn’t be anything without everybody in the team involved.”

Barbadian singer/actress Rihanna at the 38th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street in New York on December 4, 2024. (Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)

The FNAAs, held at Cipriani South Street, celebrated the best in footwear innovation and influence. Other honorees included Kenneth Cole (Lifetime Achievement Award), Bjørn Gulden of Adidas (Person of the Year), Angel Reese (Style Influencer of the Year), and brands like New Balance and On, which were named Companies of the Year.

Rocky’s heartfelt tribute to Rihanna added a personal and memorable touch to the evening, highlighting the intersection of creativity and partnership that drives the sneaker industry.

The annual Footwear News Achievement Awards, famously known as the “Shoe Oscars,” honor the visionaries shaping the footwear industry. For nearly four decades, this star-studded event has celebrated trendsetters, style icons, innovative brands, dedicated philanthropists, rising talents, and seasoned industry leaders. A cornerstone of the footwear calendar, the awards have been a stage for groundbreaking moments, fostering game-changing collaborations and historic partnerships that redefine the industry.

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. November 29, 2024: U.S.-based Trinidadian Soca artist Kevon “Yankey Boy” Heath has launched a hunger strike to protest Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel’s scheduled performance on Carnival Friday 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Kartel, known offstage as Adidja Palmer, is set to appear at the One Caribbean Music Festival on February 28, 2025, the same night as the highly anticipated Soca Monarch competition.

Vybz Kartel

Expressing his frustration on Instagram, Yankey Boy acknowledged his admiration for Kartel but voiced concerns about the event’s timing. “Soca Monarch is a platform for our upcoming artists to showcase their talent. Bringing Kartel on this night could overshadow our culture,” he stated.

He also criticized the blending of dancehall and Soca during key Caribbean events, noting experiences at Labour Day in Brooklyn and Miami Carnival. “This isn’t representing our culture. It’s a disservice to Soca,” he said.

Promoters Respond
In a statement, the organizers of the One Caribbean Music Festival clarified that the event will feature a diverse lineup with 80% Soca and 20% other genres. “Our event aims to celebrate the best of Caribbean music while respecting Trinidad’s rich Carnival traditions,” the statement read.

Organizers also dismissed a viral social media video confirming Kartel’s performance, emphasizing that it was not officially released by the festival. Details of the full lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.

Mixed Reactions from the Industry
The debate has sparked widespread discussion on social media and airwaves. Soca star Fayann Lyons-Alvarez defended the inclusion of dancehall acts, highlighting the unity among Caribbean artists. “We’ve been part of reggae shows and festivals. It’s about promoting culture and celebrating our shared heritage,” she said.

Lyons-Alvarez dismissed claims that Kartel’s presence would diminish Soca’s prominence, noting, “Soca Monarch hasn’t been held for years, yet there wasn’t this level of outcry. This festival is a showcase, not a takeover.”

As discussions continue, the One Caribbean Music Festival organizers say they remain committed to presenting a celebration of the region’s diverse music and culture, ensuring Soca remains a focal point for Carnival 2025.