Vybz Kartel is the most famous inmate in Jamaica’s prisons. Since 2014 he has been serving a life sentence for the killing of an associate, Clive “Lizard” Williams and despite repeated efforts by his lawyers and public support from his legion of fans, he will not be entitled to apply for parole unti
Alison Hinds is aptly daubed the “Queen of Soca”. Her powerful, emotional vocals and high-energy live shows are legendary in the Caribbean.
The soca and calypso scene in Barbados is a vibrant one and anyone with a smattering of knowledge of the genre there will have heard of The Mighty Gabby, one of the island’s most accomplished and celebrated performers.
When Cocoa Tea was booked to perform at the Lions Centre in Grand Cayman a few years ago, tickets went fast. Unfortunately, he arrived on island but didn’t perform because of a promotional dispute. A lot of ticket buyers waiting excitedly at the venue were left disappointed.
One of the most prolific Calypsonians Trinidad & Tobago has produced is Calypso Rose who is still performing to enormous acclaim at 77.
When Buju Banton burst on the scene in 1992, the whole of Jamaica was in awe of the skinny 18-year-old kid. He took Reggae Sunsplash by storm that summer. The crowd lapped up every note. I should know, I was there. He was sensational.
When Garnett Silk burst on the reggae scene in the early 90s he was being hailed as a future superstar, to be mentioned in the same breath as his legendary Jamaican predecessors.
No performing artist likes to be known as a ‘one-hit wonder’ but there is no denying that following the worldwide success of “Turn Me On”, Kevin Lyttle has not come remotely close to repeating that feat.
Bunji Garlin hails from the home of soca, Trinidad and is revered wherever he performs. Born in Sangre Grande and raised in Arima, he is half of a distinguished performing couple as wife Faye-Ann Lyons has a huge fan base too.
The first time I saw Gregory Isaacs perform was on a freezing January night in 1980 at an icy leisure centre in Maidenhead, an hour’s drive west of London.