Caribbean Entertainment News Roundup

By NAN ET Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019: Here are the top headlines making news on the Caribbean entertainment scene for this week:

It’s Carnival Time In Brooklyn, NY

Some of the region’s top Caribbean musicians will join some of the best pannists from the New York Caribbean Diaspora and some of the top mas bands for another West Indian American Day Carnival in Brooklyn, NY.

While this year’s pre-promotion for what is dubbed as North America’s largest Caribbean carnival has been largely low-key, some of the top reggae and soca artists from the region are set to thrill fans this weekend. The pre-carnival showcase got into high gear last night at the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum with ‘Unda Di Stars’ featuring artists like Ding Dong and Wayne Wonder.

Tonight, Aug. 30th, Caribbean soca artists like Lyrikal, Farmer Nappy, Skinny Fabulous and Patrice Roberts will take the heat up higher at Brassfest 2019.

On Saturday night, August 31st, it’s the clash of the pannists as Panorama 2019 takes center stage featuring bands like Despers USA, CASYM and D’Radoes.

World famous Calypsonian, Calypso Rose, leads the performances Sunday night, Sept. 1st, as Dimanche Gras rolls into town, backed by the Sunshine Band. And of course on Sept. 2nd, Labor Day, it will be over to the mas bands and mas players who will add color and pizazz to Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, beginning at Schenectady Avenue.

To see the full line up or secure tickets log on to wiadcacarnival.org/

Cuban Born Designer Passes On

Cuban designer, Isabel Toledo, who came to fame for the inauguration dress crated for former First Lady Michell Obama, has died after a battle with breast cancer. She was 59. Toledo was revered by other designers for her ability to combine precise geometric construction with extreme grace.

Born Maria Isabel Izquierdo in Camajuani, Cuba, she began sewing at age 8. She emigrated with her parents and two sisters to the US and in 1968 the family settled in West New York, N.J., where she met fellow Cuban Ruben Toledo. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and later transferred to Parsons School of Design. She left in 1979 before graduation to intern for Diana Vreeland at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She left in 1979 before graduation to intern for Diana Vreeland at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She and Toledo married in 1984.

Guyanese Singer Dead At 82

Guyanese singer Johnny Graff, who made famous songs like “It Burns Inside” and “I Don’t Care” has passed away age 82 at the Georgetown Public Hospital in Guyana.

Braff recorded a number of hits in the 1960s left Guyana in the 1970s and was awarded the Medal of Service for his musical contribution. Sadly, he had spent the last three months of his life at the Palms Geriatric Home and before that lived at the Night Shelter.

Southern Oregon Group Tops Billboard Reggae Charts

Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley reggae group, Indubious, has claimed the coveted top spot this week on the Billboard Reggae Charts with its alum, ‘Beleaf.’ It is the highest-ranking debut for the group. ‘Hybrid’ by Collie Budz which rose one spot this week to claim the number two spot. At number three is ‘More Work To Be Done’ by Third World while at fourth is ‘Local Motion,’ by Pepper, which dropped from number one last week. Rounding out the Top 5 this week is the self-titled album from the group Iration.

Reggae Greats For Labor Day Performance In Westchester

Tomorrow, Labor Day Saturday, August 31st, entrepreneur and CEO of Bullzii Marketing LLC, Andrea Bullens will seek to expand her portfolio to include concert producer/promoter of the inaugural Westchester Reggae Music Festival.

The event set for the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York will be headlined by female performers Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Princess Menen and the International Women In Reggae. Veteran singer Ken Boothe is the lone male headliner. All acts will be backed by Derrick Barnett’s Statement Band.

The Westchester festival comes just weeks after Oland Roots created history in Sweden as the first-ever all-female festival line-up of reggae superstars that included Marcia Griffiths, Koffee, Ce’cile, Etana and Ikaya.

“I’m very passionate about ensuring that our female talent is well represented in the male dominated reggae music business and this mostly female lineup was deliberately packaged” Bullens said. “I am very happy with the response we have been getting so far. It’s a phenomenal lineup if I must say so myself! as these women represents partly the harmonies of the most celebrated harmony group in reggae music for over five decades singing with Bob Marley and the Wailers and each has continued on to successful solo careers” she shared.

For more information log onto www.WestchesterMusicFestival.com

Usain Bolt “Olympe Rosé” Video Passes 34,000 Views

The video medley for Usain Bolt’s “Olympe Rosé” was only released on Wednesday on his Vevo page in collaboration with Billboard. But its already surpassed 34,000 views. The “Olympe Rosé” riddim features songs from Dexta Daps‘ “Big Moves,” Munga Honorable’s “Weekend,” Ricardo “Bibi” Gardner’s “Mount A Gyal,” Christopher Martin‘s “Dweet” and Ding Dong’s “Top A Di Top.” The video transitions from artiste to artiste but is seamless and smooth. It was produced by Rajah Karanja Nelson and distributed by 21st Hapilos Digital. Catch it here.

XXXTentacion’s Post-Humous Album To Include Vybz Kartel

Jamaican roots rapper XXXTentacion, who was murdered last year, will live on in a second new album set to be released this fall. ‘Bad Vibes Forever,’ is set to feature currently incarcerated Jamaican dancehall star, Vybz Kartel. The album is also said to have collabs from Mavado, Ky-Mani Marley, Stefflon Don and more. Born Jahseh Onfroy, the rapper was shot and killed outside a Florida motorcycle dealership in June 2018.