CARIBBEAN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ROUNDUP

By The NAN Editorial Team

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Friday, May 31, 2019: Here are the top headlines making news on the Caribbean entertainment scene for this week:

Grammy Award Winner Ashanti Headlines Antigua Concert Against Pollution

Grammy Award winner Ashanti will headline the ‘Play it Out’ festival on Saturday June 1st in Antigua, which aims to raise awareness on the issue of plastic pollution globally.

The event will take place at the Sir Vivian Richards National Stadium and live-streamed globally via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHftsjvKcCo.

A partnership between the President of the UN General Assembly and the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, and Norway, the ‘Play it Out’ festival will also feature Trinidad and Tobago’s pre-eminent soca envoy, Machel Montano as well as Australian Cody Simpson; Bomba Estereo, Nico and Vinz, Robin Schulz, Rocky Dawuni and St. Lucia.

Reggae Legend Releases New Album

The latest album from legendary reggae producer and performer Lee “Scratch” Perry drops today, May 31, 2019. Perry, who is 83, has produced music for artists ranging from Bob Marley to the Clash and the Beastie Boys. His new record, “Rainford,” was produced by Adrian Sherwood, who says he wanted to create something akin to the poignant final recordings by Johnny Cash.

Billboard Reggae Chart Topper

Steel Pulse has topped the Billboard Reggae Charts this week. The group’s new album, the first in 14 years, ‘Mass Manipulation,’ debuted at number one. It was released on May 17th and features tracks like ‘Rize,’ ‘Zem Dem,’ ‘Stop You Coming And Come,’ and more.  British reggae musical band from the Handsworth area of Birmingham, England, was the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1986.

Caribbean Roots Actress For 47 Meters Down – Uncaged

Caribbean roots actress Nia Long is among the cast for 47 Meters Down – Uncaged, the sequel to box office breakout 47 Meters Down. The film is set for U.S. release in 3,500+ screens on August 16, 2019. The cast also includes e cast includes John Corbett (Sex And The City), Corinne Foxx, Sophie Nelisse (The Book Thief), Sistine Stallone, Brianne Tju (Scream TV series), Davi Santos (Polaroid) and Khylin Rhambo (Teen Wolf).

Musical Genres Collide For Unity Concert In Brooklyn

Several Caribbean and US musical genres will collide this Sunday, June 2nd at the Guyana Unity Concert at 8024 Preston Court & Ralph Ave. in Brooklyn, NY.

The concert will be headlined by soca superstar Patrice Roberts as well as Nessa Preppy and Freezy. It will also include a  host of other artists including celebrated Guyanese artiste Onyolla Phillips, aka “Stitchie The One Man Band;” Guyana’s Chutny monarch Steven Ramphall; Guyana’s Calypso Monarch Kenroy Fraser – Mighty Believer; Carib Soca Monarch Brandon Harding; Guyanese-American Hip Hop artiste Lia Givenchy; Guyana’s soca monarch runner-up Vintage, Trevon Vibez and Adrian Dutchin; chutney legend Terry Gadraj; former calypso monarch Diana Chapman; rapper Kelsy More; gospel artistes Saiku; reggae artiste Omaje and dancehall artiste Jory and Blaze Anthonio.

The artistes will be accompanied by Angel Caribbean Band and DJ Mix Master Tony. The all-star concert will be hosted by radio personality Malcolm Ferreira, Dr. Rose October and comedian Trey Sancho.

The event is part of a celebration to mark Guyana’s independence from Britain. For more info. log on to

Skinny Fabulous For NY Performance

Leading Vincentian soca artiste and Trinidad carnival 2019 road march winner, Skinny Fabulous, is set to perform in New York City next week.

‘Skinny,’ whose real name is Gamal Doyle, will unleash his infectious energy and mesmerizing performance skills on Rum & Rhythm, part of Caribbean Week New York (CWNY2019) on June 7th. The event is set for Capitale, 130 Bowery in Manhattan from 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Skinny Fabulous joined forces this year with Trinidadian titans Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin for the massively popular song “Famalay,” produced by Dominica’s Krishna ‘Dada’ Lawrence. This infectious song with its catchy phrasing has been ripping up the airwaves regionally and internationally. It was the first soca track to ever hit No. 1 on the iTunes Reggae Charts.