ENTERTAINMENT
Trinidadian entertainer Machel Mantano. Che Kohtari
Caribbean Life, AUGUST 20-26, 2021 41
By Nelson A. King
The global pandemic has caused
carnival season cancellations for
almost a year and a half. From the
famed Rio de Janeiro Carnival to
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and
beyond, the Caribbean Diaspora
used to massive, multi-day, nonstop
fêtes, have had their celebrations
grind to a halt, according to
Brooklyn-based, Jamaican publicist
Ronnie Tomlinson.
Tomlinson, chief executive officer
of Destine Media, told Caribbean
Life on Tuesday that, despite the
lack of parties, soca artistes have
kept the music coming.
“Even without a physical presence,
the message of carnival is
still clear – the show must go on,”
she said, adding that Soca Universe
2021 keeps carnival music pumping
with hits from Machel Montano,
Kes, DJ Private Ryan, Destra
and Voice, among others.
“And with that said, the annual
Billboard charting Soca Universe
compilation keeps the spirit alive
and provides the soundtrack for a
return to the streets,” Tomlinson
added.
Soca legend, Billboard-charting,
and multi-award winner Machel
Montano recently told NPR: “The
intention of the energy of soca
music is to really uplift people;
really make them smile; keep them
happy; make them celebrate even
in the toughest times.”
Released by Montano’s record
label and distribution company,
Continued on Page 42
Mama Carmen and Richie Stephens.
Pot Of Gold Records
By nelson A. King
Jamaican music ambassador Richie
Stephens and his mother, Mama Carmen,
celebrate the recording of their first
album together, “Mother & Son.”
Stephens — who in 2017 was awarded
by ASCAP with “Song of the Year” and
“Digital Sales of the Year” for his contribution
to Rihanna’s single “Work,” which
was among the top songs on the 2016
year-end charts — disclosed that this
project is his greatest musical accom-
Continued on Page 42
By Nelson A. King
After releasing last week its “Rebirth”
for New York Carnival Week 2021, the
Brooklyn-based West Indian American
Day Carnival Association (WIADCA),
organizer of the massive, annual West
Indian American Day Carnival Parade on
Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway, is this week
welcoming back patrons.
“Welcome Back!” said WIADCA in a
statement on Tuesday. “COVID-19 tried
to keep us down, but New Yorkers are
resilient.
“In 2021, we experienced many losses
while adjusting to a new norm,” it added.
“We applaud the efforts of our essential
workers, small and minority businesses
and community leaders in safeguarding
our city.
“We have worked with many of them to
Continued on Page 42
FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT, GO TO CARIBBEANLIFENEWS.COM/ENTERTAINMENT
‘Mother and
Son’ music
A WIADCA
welcome
SOCA
UNIVERSE
The 2021 compilation keeps carnival music pumping
/ENTERTAINMENT