News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, July 4, 2025: It’s July Fourth in the U.S., but Caribbean artists are making sure the celebrations come with a global, island twist. From Dancehall to Reggae and Afrobeats-infused collaborations, here are some of the hottest new Caribbean tracks dropping just in time to soundtrack your summer:

Sean Paul Ignites Summer with “Ginger”

Sean Paul performs live onstage during Rosendal Garden Party at Djurgården on June 15, 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Iwi Onodera/Getty Images)

International Dancehall icon Sean Paul returns with the sizzling new single “Ginger”, released today via OneRPM. With his signature vocals, spicy lyrics, and undeniable island vibes, “Ginger” is poised to become the anthem of the season.

“‘Ginger’ is all about that fiery connection — you know that energy someone brings into your life that’s different, exciting, unforgettable,” says Sean Paul. “Dancehall is universal, and this one’s for all my spicey ladies and everyone who’s ever felt that spark.”

Fresh off a sold-out European tour and preparing to join Wiz Khalifa’s Good Vibes Tour, Sean Paul proves once again why he’s one of the world’s most consistent hitmakers.

Listen Now: STREAM “Ginger”
Watch Official Visualizer

Zamunda & Fantan Mojah Team Up for “Roots Rock Reggae”

Two of Reggae’s powerful voices, Zamunda and Fantan Mojah, join forces on “Roots Rock Reggae”, produced by Natures Way Entertainment. The song, out today, is the first single from the upcoming Roots Rock Reggae riddim, recorded at the iconic Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica.

“The energy was great from the start. Once Fantan heard the riddim, he said, ‘this is a hit for sure,’” recalls producer Garfield Cowan, known for his work with Jah Cure and Wayne Wonder.

The riddim also features tracks by Iba Mahr, Turbulence, Anthony B, and rising Kenyan star Cathy Matete, making it a must-listen for Reggae lovers worldwide.

Stream Now: Roots Rock Reggae
Watch Official Video

Rielle & Busy Signal Deliver “Sail Away” Remix

Emerging Caribbean artist Rielle teams up with global Dancehall heavyweight Busy Signal for the “Sail Away” remix, produced by Natural Bridge Records.

Calling the collaboration “an absolute honor and triumph”, Rielle’s smooth vocals blend effortlessly with Busy Signal’s signature flow, creating a melodic, island-flavored anthem perfect for summer playlists.

Stream Now: Sail Away Remix

Lady Da Flame Drops Visual for Emotional New Single “Second Time”

Multi-talented singer Lady Da Flame is turning up the heat this July 4th with the release of the official video for “Second Time”, her heartfelt response to Khago’s hit “2 Time”.

Filmed on location in Jamaica, the video captures the island’s natural beauty while conveying the vulnerability of seeking forgiveness in a relationship.

“We wanted that authentic island feel for this video,” says Lady Da Flame, whose soaring vocals and emotional storytelling have won praise across the Reggae scene. With Khago himself appearing in the video, the track is gaining major traction with DJs and fans alike.

Set to grace the cover of Stardom 101 Magazine this summer, Lady Da Flame is making it clear — this is her season.

Watch “Second Time” Official Video

Whether you’re lighting fireworks or soaking in the island sun, these new Caribbean releases are ready to fuel your summer soundtrack.

Which track will be on repeat for you this weekend?

For more Caribbean music updates, stay locked to NewsAmericasNow.com

News Americas, Bridgetown, Barbados, Mon. June 30, 2025: Two filmmakers, Ife Alaba (Canada), and Kerel Pinder (Bahamas), walked away from the Cross Continental Forum (CCF) 2025 with grant funding to kickstart co-productions, thanks to support from the Inter-American Development Bank – marking a tangible outcome of a weeklong event that moved beyond conversation and into transformation.

Attendees at CCF 2025 in Bridgetown, Barbados on June 18, 2025. (Brian Medina image)

The forum, presented by CaribbeanTales Media Group and the Department of Creative and Performing Arts at UWI Cave Hill, concluded its five-day convergence on June 18 with a bold message: The time to build is now. Producers and delegates from across the Caribbean, Africa, Canada, the UK, Europe, and the U.S. issued a united call to design, fund, and activate local film ecosystems without waiting for the “perfect” conditions.

Held under the theme Decolonising Co-Production, CCF 2025 brought together over 50 producers, industry delegates, and creatives to interrogate the systems that determine whose stories are told – and how. The forum challenged participants to shift their gaze from scarcity to opportunity. As Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of CaribbeanTales and co-creator of the forum, emphasized: “It’s great to tell the story—we’re already good at that. The real question is: where will you get the money? Who can you collaborate with to make your project real? These two points must always be front and centre.”

Rather than reinforcing narratives of lack, the forum functioned as a live, collaborative lab – providing real-world opportunities for filmmakers to forge meaningful partnerships and begin building with what they have.

High-Profile Contributors Included:

CCH Pounder – Guyana-born acclaimed actor, CCF Steering Group member, and activist.

Lorraine Toussaint – Celebrated Trinidad & Tobago-born actor, producer, and cultural trailblazer.

Ava DuVernay – Renowned filmmaker, producer, and founder of ARRAY.

DuVernay’s virtual keynote was a standout moment. In a direct message to emerging creators, she dismantled the myth that big budgets make better films: “If your first idea moves you way outside your budget – pivot. Use what’s around you. The best films often happen in the smallest spaces.”

Global media powerhouses Fiona Lamptey, former Head of UK Features at Netflix; Joel Phiri, leading South African producer and distributor with Known Associates; Effie T. Brown, Gamechanger Films, USA, and celebrated Canadian content creator, Jen Holness, took center stage over five days – leading powerful conversations with producers in the room and helping to surface hard truths and tangible next steps.

The forum tackled structural barriers to equity across key pillars:

 Day 1 – Decolonising Policy & Legislation: Reforming frameworks that hinder equitable content creation
 Day 2 – Decolonising Financing: Disrupting traditional funding streams to centre Black and Global Majority creators
 Day 3 – Decolonising Content: Preserving cultural authenticity while scaling reach
 Day 4 – Decolonising Distribution: Building inclusive, sustainable distribution models
 Day 5 – Decolonising Co-Production: Forging cross-border collaboration rooted in equity

Key stakeholders – including C15 Studios, Caribbean Creative Fund, and major partners such as the Inter-American Development Bank, Invest Barbados, Barbados Tourism and Marketing Inc., Barbados Film and Television Association, Canada Media Fund, Picture NL, and the KZN Tourism and Film Authority – joined the forum to offer funding insights and forge next-step pathways.

Felicia J. Persaud, CEO of Invest Caribbean, moderated a pivotal panel on financing and pointed to a lack of infrastructure: “Few Caribbean countries have usable tax incentives or co-production treaties. While a handful – like Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad & Tobago – offer tax rebates, many, including Barbados, are still playing catch-up.”

What’s Next: Turning Vision Into Industry

With over 30 producers participating in intensive sessions, 20 industry delegates engaged, and hundreds more reached through public programming, CCF 2025 delivered more than discussion – it produced a working blueprint for regional film industry growth.

Key recommendations from forum attendees include:

Establishing robust film tax incentive programs across the region

Negotiating formal co-production treaties with countries like Canada, South Africa, and the UK

Developing inter-island agreements to enable seamless Caribbean collaboration

As one of the few forums of its kind, The Cross Continental Forum is a real-time lab for creative disruption, and with next year’s application cycle opening soon, it continues to position Caribbean and Global South storytellers not on the margins – but at the center of global storytelling futures.