News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Jan. 29, 2026: Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper Nicki Minaj says she has received a special U.S. immigration “gold card” from President Donald Trump, signaling what she described as a fast-tracked path toward U.S. citizenship.

Minaj made the disclosure on Wednesday, hours after appearing alongside Trump at a U.S. Treasury Department summit promoting the administration’s new child investment initiative known as “Trump Accounts.” Posting on X, the rapper shared an image of a gold-colored immigration card bearing Trump’s likeness, captioned simply: “Welp.”

Musician Nicki Minaj (L) joins U.S. President Donald Trump on stage as he delivers remarks during the Treasury Department’s Trump Accounts Summit at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on January 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. “Trump Accounts” are a portion of recently passed tax and spending legislation where the federal government will deposit $1,000 into investment accounts for every child born between 2025 and 2028 once parents sign their children up while filing their income taxes.  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

She later wrote that she was “finalizing that citizenship paperwork as we speak as per MY wonderful, gracious, charming President,” adding that while the card typically costs up to US$1 million under the program, she received it at no charge.

The so-called “gold card” was created under a September executive order and is designed to offer an alternative pathway to citizenship for highly skilled or high-profile foreign nationals. The White House has not yet commented on Minaj’s specific case.

Born Onika Maraj in Trinidad and Tobago, Minaj has previously spoken openly about her immigration history. In a 2018 social media post, she said she entered the United States as an undocumented child at the age of five, criticizing family separations at the border during Trump’s first term.

At Wednesday’s Treasury event in Washington, Minaj appeared onstage with Trump and businessman Kevin O’Leary, at times holding the president’s hand while he praised her publicly. Trump told the audience he believed Minaj planned to donate significant sums to Trump Accounts on behalf of her fans, though no formal details were provided.

While addressing the crowd, Minaj described herself as “probably the president’s No. 1 fan,” adding that criticism of her political stance has only strengthened her support.

Trump, for his part, praised the rapper, acknowledging that her endorsement has not been without backlash. “She took a little heat because her community isn’t necessarily a Trump fan,” he said. “But I just think she’s great.”

Minaj’s appearance and comments mark a notable political turn for one of the most internationally recognized artists of Caribbean descent, placing immigration, celebrity influence, and U.S. policy squarely at the center of a widening national debate.

RELATED: From Undocumented Immigrant To Trump’s “Number One Fan” – Nicki Minaj Embraces MAGA Spotlight

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Jan. 28, 2026: Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj seems to be now officially MAGA.

Minaj is set to appear alongside the U.S. President at a U.S. Treasury Department summit today to mark the launch of a new tax-advantaged savings program known as “Trump Accounts,” underscoring the growing involvement of high-profile celebrities in the administration’s economic messaging.

FLASHBACK – Trinidadian-US rapper Nicki Minaj speaks during the panel discussion “Combatting Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria” at the US Mission to the United Nations in New York City, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

The summit, to be held in Washington, D.C., will also feature Shark Tank investor and actor Kevin O’Leary, actress and wife of RFK, Jr., Cheryl Hines, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Trump and Bessent are both scheduled to deliver remarks, and the event will be streamed live on X.

“Trump Accounts” are a newly created form of tax-advantaged individual retirement account for children, allowing contributions from parents, guardians, employers, and other donors. The accounts were established under last year’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and are being promoted by the administration as a tool to expand long-term financial opportunity for American families.

While specific details of the summit agenda have not been publicly disclosed, the Treasury Department said the event will include policy briefings and expert discussions outlining how the accounts function, their projected economic impact, and the administration’s broader economic priorities.

Additional participants expected to attend include conservative influencer Isabel Brown, political consultant Alex Bruesewitz, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, technology executive Michael Dell, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The event represents a notably high-profile rollout for a Treasury Department initiative, reflecting an effort to boost public awareness of the program. Treasury Secretary Bessent previously indicated in a radio interview that a national television commercial promoting Trump Accounts is planned to air during next month’s Super Bowl, shortly after the national anthem.

Minaj’s participation comes amid her increasingly public expressions of political alignment including at a speech at the US mission to the UN and at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where she voiced admiration for Trump during an onstage interview. That let to a petition to have her deported.

“I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president,” Minaj said at the event. “He’s given so many people hope.”

Minaj recently clashed with former CNN host Don Lemon, who she attacked with homophobic tweets on X.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in the United States, Minaj is one of the most internationally recognized artists of Caribbean descent. Minaj has been open about coming to the United States as an undocumented child. In an emotional social media post in 2018, she called out the separation of families at the border during Trump’s first administration.

“I came to this country as an illegal immigrant. I can’t imagine the horror of being in a strange place & having my parents stripped away from me at the age of 5,” she reportedly wrote in the caption of a photo showing young children separated from their parents at the border being detained.

“This is so scary to me. Please stop this,” she wrote. “Can you try to imagine the terror & panic these kids feel right now? Not knowing if their parents are dead or alive, if they’ll ever see them again.”

By NAN ET EDITOR

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Jan. 23, 2026: After decades of commanding performances that shaped modern Black cinema, Caribbean roots, British-born actor Delroy Lindo has finally crossed a milestone many believe was long overdue: his first Academy Award nomination.

British Caribbean actor Delroy Lindo attends the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 11, 2026. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images) /

The London-born, Jamaican-rooted actor, 73, earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 98th Academy Awards for his role as Delta Slim in Sinners, the genre-blending vampire thriller directed by Ryan Coogler. The nod marks a long-awaited recognition for an artist whose career has been consistently lauded by critics, yet repeatedly overlooked by awards bodies.

Delroy Lindo, l., Ryan Coogler (C) and cast and crew of “Sinners” accept the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award onstage during the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/CBS via Getty Images)

For Caribbean audiences and the global diaspora, Lindo’s nomination resonates far beyond Hollywood. Born in Lewisham, London, to Jamaican parents who were part of the Windrush generation, Lindo’s life mirrors a transatlantic Caribbean journey – moving from the UK to Canada as a teenager, then to the United States, where he trained at the American Conservatory Theater and forged a career that would span stage, film, and television.

His mother was a nurse who struggled as an outsider in England but instilled a strong sense of heritage in her son, while his father held various jobs, contributing to the family’s cultural background. Lindo has said in the past that he felt like an outsider as the only Black child in his school, but was inspired to act after a school play. He deeply connects with his Jamaican roots, viewing his parents’ emphasis on presentation as a key part of his heritage, a theme echoed in his work.

Delroy Lindo accepts Best Supporting Actor for “Sinners” onstage during the 2026 Annual Movies for Grownups Awards with AARP at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on January 10, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AARP)

Lindo has previously found himself in awards-season conversations for iconic roles, including West Indian Archie in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X and his searing performance in Da 5 Bloods. But when nominations failed to materialize, he deliberately resisted expectation. “I try not to buy into that,” he told Entertainment Weekly last year, reflecting on past snubs. Still, he admitted that the absence of recognition was painful. “I was profoundly disappointed, frankly.”

That disappointment did not derail him. Instead, Lindo kept working – on his own terms.

In Sinners, he delivers a performance critics describe as hypnotic. Playing Delta Slim, a Mississippi bluesman whose music anchors a juke joint that becomes the target of supernatural forces, Lindo brings gravitas, restraint, and lived-in wisdom to the screen. Coogler has praised the performance as “incredible,” noting what Lindo brought to the role every single day on set.

Audiences agreed. Sinners boasts a 97% critical rating and 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and its global box office haul of approximately $368 million made it one of the year’s most successful original films. The movie shattered awards records with 16 Oscar nominations, becoming the most-nominated film in Academy history.

For Lindo, the recognition arrives not as validation, but as affirmation. “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. “I don’t take any of it for granted.”

His Caribbean roots continue to inform his creative direction. Lindo has long spoken about the influence of his Jamaican heritage and the Windrush experience, which he is now exploring in a forthcoming memoir scheduled for release in 2027. He is also developing and directing a feature film set in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, centered on spirituality, healing, and the power of community – themes deeply rooted in Caribbean culture.

Lindo exclusively told E! News that his son Damiri was the one to tell him he received his first-ever Oscar nomination for the 2026 ceremony. “I was in bed,” he recalled to E!. “My phone rang. It was my son. I picked it up and said, ‘Hey man,’ and he said, ‘Dad, dad, you got it. You got that s–t.’” 

“It means the world because he’s seen it all,” Lindo was quoted as saying. “He’s seen it away from the red carpet. He’s seen both sides of it. So, along with my wife, they have the internal and the external perspective on this journey. It felt completely right on to receive this news from my son.”

Lindo  faces off against Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value), Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another) and Sean Penn (One Battle After Another) in his category.

But, however, it turns out, Lindo told E!: “It’s just incredibly joyful and affirming. Affirming that audiences inside and outside of the industry have responded to this work so fully, and the fact that the work has touched people, I believe, in the depth of their humanity. I don’t have the words to explain how gratifying and affirming that feels. It’s extraordinary.”

For many in the Caribbean diaspora, the moment already carries meaning: a son of Jamaican immigrants, whose artistry endured decades of industry blind spots, finally standing where history says he always belonged.

The Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, air Sunday, March 15, 2026, on ABC.

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

News Americas, New YORK, NY, Mon. Jan. 19, 2026: Reggae has lost one of its most accomplished architects with the death of Stephen “Cat” Coore, co-founder, guitarist, cellist, and musical director of Third World, who passed away on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at the age of 69. He was one of the two surviving members of the original Third World Band.

Coore’s family confirmed the sudden passing of the celebrated musician, who was widely regarded as one of Jamaica’s most innovative instrumentalists and arrangers. According to reports, he died following a seizure and pneumonia. A husband, father, grandfather, and cultural ambassador, Coore helped shape a sound that carried reggae beyond its traditional borders and onto the global stage.

FLASHBACK – “Cat” Coore and Third World perform at Celebrate Brooklyn! at Prospect Park Bandshell on August 7, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Pereira/WireImage)

Born April 6, 1956, Coore was trained in classical music but grounded in Jamaica’s rich musical traditions. That rare combination would become central to Third World’s identity. As a founding member, he played a defining role in blending reggae with soul, funk, pop, jazz, and rock – a fusion that distinguished the band from its peers and broadened reggae’s international appeal.

FLASH-BACK: Stephen “Cat” Coore of Third World performs at Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park on August 18, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Julia Beverly/Getty Images)

Formed in the early 1970s, Third World emerged during a pivotal era in Jamaican music. The band quickly earned recognition for its musical sophistication, instrumental depth, and crossover sensibility. Under Coore’s musical direction, Third World produced a catalogue of enduring hits, including Now That We’ve Found Love, 96 Degrees in the Shade, Try Jah Love, and Rhythm of Life. These songs helped position the group as one of Jamaica’s longest-running and most successful bands internationally.

FLASHBACK – Guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore of reggae group Third World performs at the Agora Ballroom on November 14, 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tom Hill/Getty Images)

Coore’s musicianship was central to that success. Equally adept on guitar and cello, he brought melodic complexity and structural discipline to Third World’s arrangements. His background allowed the band to experiment without losing reggae’s rhythmic core – a balance that proved crucial to its longevity.

Third World toured extensively across Europe, North America, Africa, and the Caribbean, sharing stages with some of the world’s most influential artists and introducing reggae-fusion to new audiences. The band supported The Jackson 5 during their historic visit to Jamaica and later collaborated with global figures including Stevie Wonder, further cementing their international stature.

FLASHBACK – Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore of Third World performing at Reggae Sunsplash, Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace, London, UK on 29 July 1985. (Photo by David Corio/Redferns)

In recognition of his contribution to Jamaican culture and the creative arts, Coore was awarded the Order of Distinction, (OD) by the Government of Jamaica in 2005 -one of the nation’s highest honors. He was nominated nine times for a Grammy but never won.

Coore’s passing marks another significant chapter in the gradual loss of Third World’s original architects. Over the past decade, the band has mourned the deaths of several foundational members who helped define its sound and direction. Lead vocalist William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke, whose voice became synonymous with the group’s global success, died in 2014. Keyboardist Michael “Ibo” Cooper, a founding member and early creative force, passed away in 2023. Percussionist Irvin “Carrot” Jarrett, part of the band’s formative years, died in 2018.

CAT CORE IS PERFORMING AT BELLYUP LIVE

Together, these musicians shaped a sound that was both unmistakably Jamaican and universally accessible – a rare achievement that allowed Third World to transcend genre and generation.

Despite lineup changes over the decades, Third World remained active, recording and performing well into the 21st century. The group received multiple Grammy nominations, lifetime achievement awards, and international recognition for its enduring influence on reggae and global popular music.

Stephen “Cat” Coore is survived by his wife Lisa; his children Shiah, Kanna, Stephen, and Ashley; his grandchildren; and a wide circle of family, bandmates, colleagues, and admirers across the world.

As tributes continue to pour in from Jamaica and the global music community, Coore’s legacy endures – not only in the songs that defined an era, but in the sound that helped carry reggae into the world.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, posted on X that “Cat Coore was a cultural ambassador in the truest sense, representing Jamaica with dignity, excellence, and pride. His contribution to the creative arts enriched our national identity and inspired generations of musicians at home and abroad.”

“May his music continue to live on, reminding us of who we are and the power of Jamaican creativity to unite the world,” he added.

Jamaica’s minister of culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, added: “Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore was a unique talent and a true Reggae Ambassador. A pioneering co-founder of Third World and former member of Inner Circle, his music helped carry Jamaica’s sound to the world.”

“To wake up and learn that Stephen Cat Coore, has just made the transition – that is a bitter pill to swallow. RIP,” the band Steel Pulse posted on X.

RELATED: Former Third World Member To Be Laid To Rest

By NAN ET EDITOR

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Jan. 12, 2026: The Miami Heat are turning their home court into a full-blown Caribbean party — and they’re calling in dancehall royalty to do it.

On January 13, 2026, the Heat will celebrate Caribbean Heritage Night at the Kaseya Center, headlined by a show-stopping halftime performance from global Jamaican born dancehall star, Sean Paul. Tip-off against the Phoenix Suns is set for 7:30 p.m., but the energy will be island-high all night long.

FLASHBACK – Sean Paul performs during the 2025 Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert at UBS Arena on December 12, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Udo Salters Photography/Getty Images)

Sean Paul Takes Over Halftime

Known for decades of chart-dominating hits and explosive live performances, Sean Paul is set to transform halftime into a dancehall celebration. From international anthems to fan favorites, the Grammy Award-winning Jamaican icon will bring unmistakable Caribbean heat to one of the NBA’s most electric arenas.

For the Miami Heat, the moment underscores South Florida’s deep Caribbean roots — and for fans, it’s a rare fusion of elite basketball and global music culture on the same stage.

Miami Heat + Caribbean Culture = A Miami Moment

The Heat have long embraced the multicultural heartbeat of Miami, and Caribbean Heritage Night is one of the franchise’s most anticipated annual celebrations. This year’s edition leans all the way in, pairing Sean Paul’s star power with a full-arena cultural experience.

Keeping the party flowing is DJ Walshy Fire, who will host the night, spin throughout the game, and cap things off with an exclusive post-game DJ set on the East Plaza after the final buzzer.

Caribbean Pride on the Court

The night’s NBA matchup carries its own cultural weight, spotlighting Jamaican basketball excellence as Norman Powell of the Heat shares the floor with Nick Richards of the Suns. Their presence adds a powerful layer of Caribbean representation to the game itself.

Island Sounds, Food & Festival Energy

From the moment fans arrive, the arena will pulse with Caribbean rhythm. DJ KVass sets the tone on the front plaza, while DJs Nati and Marley keep the concourses alive with island sounds. The Miami Heat Hype Band from Florida Memorial University and the Lauderhill Steel Orchestra add brass, beats, and steelpan flair.

Outside, the towering USVI Moko Jumbies bring carnival spectacle and color, turning the Kaseya Center plaza into a festival scene worthy of Miami’s Caribbean diaspora.

Food is part of the celebration too, with jrk! serving authentic Caribbean flavors alongside special island-inspired concession items throughout the arena.

Giving Back Beyond the Game

Caribbean Heritage Night also carries a purpose beyond entertainment. Portions of promo ticket proceeds will benefit Food for the Poor and support hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica, reinforcing the Miami Heat’s commitment to community impact across borders.

A Night Where Music, Basketball, and Culture Collide

With Sean Paul commanding the halftime spotlight and the Miami Heat hosting one of the NBA’s most vibrant cultural celebrations, Caribbean Heritage Night promises to be more than a game – it’s a Miami moment.

Get tickets HERE