Courtesy Overtime Media/Photo: JERMAINE CRUICKSHAK
Ever since the days when we arrived on those Ships, Trinidad and Tobago was always the place where every creed and race could find an equal place. After the West Indies Federation failed in 1962 and in the early days of our Independence and the formation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), islanders from across the archipelago came to T&T seeking a better life, employment, housing, spouses and greater opportunities.
With the advent and subsequent rise of Soca music came phenomenons such as the “Bajan Invasion” in the mid-nineties and the development of the International Soca Monarch competition, which welcomed our Caribbean Brothers, Kings and Queens, champions from the islands to be a part of and to enrich T&T’s Carnival with even more diversity and variety. Thus, our Carnival dubbed The Mecca and by extension “The Greatest Show on Earth”, gradually became a Caribbean Carnival and every year we still share in this energy with our regional brothers and sisters.
XVibes takes you across the archipelago this weekend for an update on our island neighbors and what some of their biggest stars are feeling, eating and contributing to Trinidad Carnival 2025.
Wrenroy “Blaka Dan” Ogiste– Blessings
1. Why are you here in Trinidad now and what does Trinidad Carnival mean to you?
1. I am Currently in Trinidad to Perform, showcase my Talent also Help Promote Carnival and Soca Music. To be in Trinidad Carnival with One of the more Popular Song is a Dream Come through for me. It means Everything
2. What song(s) have you released for Carnival 2025
2. I’ve released 2 Contributions. “Blessing” and “Exposure”
3. What’s your favorite food from your island? / And your favorite food from T&T?
3. Best food from Grenada of course will be Oil down and In Trinidad it’s a Tossup between Buss up Shut and Doubles. I think I was Indian in my Previous life lol
4. Where can we see you perform live?
4. So Many Shows! Jus Note you can catch me at most major Carnival Events E.g. (Army Fete, Fete Nation). I’m also Currently a Semi Finalist in the Soca Champion Competition. Really looking forward to that.
5. Which 3 songs do you like for Trinidad’s Road March?
5. My 3 Road March Picks is Carry it, Carry it & Carry It!
I think this Selection embodies the essence of what Carnival Means to so many Folks with Regards to the Memories of Past Celebrations.
Rupert Clarke aka – RUPEE
1. Why are you here in Trinidad now and what does Trinidad Carnival mean to you?
1. Trinidad is literally like my second home, so naturally Carnival is home. I’m here to push my new music but seeing friends and people I consider family means just as much.
2. What song(s) have you released for Carnival 2025
2. “My Kinda Gyal” on the Pineapple Riddim feat Machel Montano, Patrice, lyrikal and Ronzy, along with “Old Firewood”
3. What’s your favorite food from your island ? / And your favorite food from T&T?
3. Barbados- Rice and Stew Beef, with Cole Slaw, Macaroni Pie and Salad.
Trini- Any Buss-up Roti, DOUBLES FOR LIFE (sorry Beenie) and creole food..callaloo, stew peas, pie, ground provisions with chicken or fish!
4. Where can we see you perform live?
4. A few of the major events for the season and definitely some of the smaller…promo is the key to building new music. I already did Gateway To The World, A-Class cooler fete Hill View College…all incredible!
5. Which 3 songs do you like for Trinidad’s Road March?
5. Three isn’t fair and some just came out! Pardy, Carry It and Tejas’ Energy are definitely prominent and some of the many I love.
Gael “Trilla-G” Jno-Baptiste- Dominica
1. Why are you here in Trinidad now and what does Trinidad Carnival mean to you?
1. I’m in Trinidad to help promote one of the biggest bouyon songs out of Dominica and myself as an artist. Trinidad means a lot to me because it is deemed as the Mecca of soca music and is a great market to get bouyon music introduced to a larger audience.
2. What song(s) have you released for Carnival 2025
2. Apart from the big hit Someone Else by Little Boy, Quan and myself, my other releases include “Take Me As I Am”, “Try Me” with Nailah Blackman, “Carnival is Woman” with Th3rd, “I Like Your Woman” and one more release with Skinny Fabulous and Shelly called “RAGS” coming soon.
3. What’s your favorite food from your island ? / And your favorite food from T&T?
3. My favorite food from Dominica has to be what we call a creole breakfast which is an assortment of different breakfast foods such as codfish, smoke herring, roast breadfruit, farine balls, fried bakes etc. My favorite food here in Trinidad is definitely a hearty buss up shot!
4. Where can we see you perform live?
4. I will be performing at a number of events which include Jardin, Different All Inclusive, Citrus
5. Which 3 songs do you like for Trinidad’s Road March?
5. 3 songs I like for Trinidad Road March is Machel – Pardy, Bunji – Carry it and I do have a natural bias for Someone else
TEDDYSON JOHN- St Lucia
1. Why are you here in Trinidad now and what does Trinidad Carnival mean to you
1. Trinidad is the mother of all carnivals. So being in the mix and sharing my music with the fans and supporters is important to me . Just connecting
2. What song(s) have you released for Carnival 2025?
2. Me Lover , Play Mas , Highly Flavored, Countryside, Sweetest Feeling
3. What’s your favorite food from your island ? / And your favorite food from T&T?
3.Pig tail Boullion from St Lucia and Buss-Up Shot from Trinidad
4. Where can we see you perform live?
4. Monday madness, IzWe Festival, Different, Kairi People Breakfast Is, etc
5. Which 3 songs do you like for Trinidad’s Road March?
5. Pardy – Machel’s “Pardy”, Bunji Garlin’s “Thousand”, Kes’ “Pressure”
Lashley “Motto” Winter
1. Why are you here in Trinidad now and what does Trinidad Carnival mean to you?
1. I’m in Trinidad because Carnival is the heartbeat of soca, and there’s no place like the MECCA to feel the energy, the culture, and the people. Trinidad Carnival is more than just a festival; it’s a movement, a lifestyle, and a place where music comes alive on the road. It’s about unity, vibes, and pushing the culture forward, and I’m here to be part of that energy. This year makes it 8 years Motto is coming to contribute to Trinidad Carnival.
2. What song(s) have you released for Carnival 2025?
2. For Carnival 2025, I dropped about 5 songs to keep the vibes pumping. However I do 3 main ones im pushing and its getting love. The first features Olatunji, written and produced by me called Fete and Rum, following this, I worked with mega producer DeRedBoyz on their riddim project called Tilden Hall Riddim. This album features the likes of Machel Montano, Voice, Lyrikal and my song on that riddim is called Pantry, which is a calypso soca influenced track. And ofcoarse for me ensure the soca season is nothing short of epic, I released a “power soca” riddim called SOS Riddim which features with Olatunji again called Flagorama.
3. What’s your favorite food from your island? / And your favorite food from T&T?
3. From St. Lucia, I have to go with Green Fig and Saltfish, the national dish—it’s a real taste of home. In Trinidad, I can’t resist a proper doubles or a well-seasoned bake and shark fresh off the beach. The food here is just vibes!
4. Where can we see you perform live?
4. I’ll be all over the place this Carnival season! You can will catch in some of your favorite events, from concerts to cooler fetes. Of course, I’ll be on the road bringing the energy for the big stage. Follow me on social media for all the updates on where I’ll be shelling down next!
5. Which 3 songs do you like for Trinidad’s Road March?
5. Road March is always a tough race, but right now, I’m feeling:
1. Carry It – Bunji Garlin – Pure power on the road!
2. Greatest Bend Over – Yung Bredda – The people love it, and the energy is undeniable.
3. Pardy – Machel Montano – A serious contender with real festival vibes.
Shondell DASH Anthony Amada -GRENADA
1. Why are you here in Trinidad now and what does Trinidad Carnival mean to you?
1. I’m in Trinidad to for ultimate soca Champion competition and to promote my music and build connections… Trinidad and Tobago is rich in culture and it’s great to be here to experience the carnival
2. What song(s) have you released for Carnival 2025
2: I’ve released two songs so for the 2025 carnival season
Watch me on the white chalk Riddim produced by Xpert productions out of carriacou. My second release is called bounce produced by 2-time Grammy nominated producer from Trinidad and Tobago Josh (Supayouth) Salcedo
3. What’s your favorite food from your island? / And your favorite food from T&T?
3: My favorite food is green peas soup back and when I’m in Trinidad my favorite food is buss up shut.
4. Where can we see you perform live?
4: You can catch me live at the semifinals for the Ultimate soca champions on Sunday 9th February at Naparima bowl and I’m ready to take the bookings as the season continue, pavement lime.
5. Which 3 songs do you like for Trinidad’s Road March?
5: Really really love Carry it by Bunji Garlin, Pardy by Machel Montano and Yung bredda’s “Greatest bend over”
– Vghn (Jevaughn John)- GRENADA
1. Why are you here in Trinidad now and what does Trinidad Carnival mean to you?
1. I’m here to first of all pay my respects to the Mecca of carnival and home of soca music
Recently joined karma and the 3rd lead singer
And for my event on Feb 19th at woodford cafe intimate see my first concert outside of grenada
2. What song(s) have you released for Carnival 2025?
2: Explore & explore remix with nailah Blackman
Bacchanal lady
Can’t change
Heart of carnival
3. 3. What’s your favorite food from your island? / And your favorite food from T&T?
3: favorite food in Grenada is oil down and fav food of all time is doubles
4. Where can we see you perform live?
4. Everywhere with karma,mega,Home Coming with Karma and Pasage to Asia with Karma toname a few, but keep up with me on my socials.
5. Which 3 songs do you like for Trinidad’s Road March?
5. Too early for me to tell.
Gamal ” Skinny Fabulous” Doyle – St Vincent
1. Why are you here in Trinidad now and what does Trinidad Carnival mean to you?
1. It’s just part of my annual tradition now, regardless if I have a song or not, I will be here. For the last 15 Years I have never missed a Trinidad carnival. So, for me it’s a ritual that needs to be completed every single year, if I don’t do it, I won’t feel complete, will feel like I’m missing something.
2. What song(s) have you released for Carnival 2025
2. Releases:
. – No Regrets
– Fallen Feters ft. Machel Montano
. – Madness – Ft. Lyrikal
. – Forever Young – Ft. Nailah Blackman
– Find Out
3. What’s your favorite food from your island? / And your favorite food from T&T?
3. Favorite food from my island would be breadfruit and saltfish, which our national dish is actually breadfruit and Jackfish. From Trinidad is Buss up shut!
4. Where can we see you perform live?
4. You can see me perform at Mega Monday, Citrus, Army Fete, Fatima and much more
5. Which 3 songs do you like for Trinidad’s Road March?
5. Road March selections: Pardy, Carry It & Forever
