#USA, September 9, 2023 – The first ever annual Caribbean Music Awards was held on Thursday August 31st in Brooklyn, New York at King’s Theatre in Flatbush.

Being held in Brooklyn is a poetic move as the area is also known as New York’s “Little Caribbean” according to reports.

It was hosted by Wyclef Jean, Grammy winning Haitian rapper and musician, and it is described as a display of vibrance and a  spirited celebration of music, people and culture with West Indian roots, as reported by Dancehallmag.

Clef, speaking, said, “tonight is a very, very important night as we celebrate the Caribbean region. Tonight is history.They steal our culture and they change the name of it. They call it ‘pop.’ Tonight, we’re taking everything back to the Caribbean.”

The shows, as it’s a Caribbean representation in music, recognized artists from Caribbean music genres, including Soca, Dancehall, and Kompa, among others.

Award winners were decided by fans who voted for their favorite songs, artists, and music videos online, months prior to the event, according to reports.

There were various performances by popular artists such as Jamaican artists such as Dexta Daps, Kranium, Toni-Ann Singh and Romain Virgo who delivered a wonderful medley of Beres Hammond’s hits, honoring him, who was the the Elite Icon Award Honoree as well as male artist of the year

Hammond was also officially honored by the New York City Council for his contributions to the Caribbean community.

Another music legend Buju Banton of Jamaica, received a humanitarian award for his philanthropic foundation, the Buju Banton Foundation.

Other performers include Wayne Wonder, Alison Hinds, Jada Kingdom, Nailah Blackman, Ding Dong, Rupee, Baby Cham,  Angela Hunte and Stone Love.

Also, there were appearances from Doug E. Fresh, Skeng, MYA, Spice, Morgan Heritage, Konshens, Karlie Redd, Michael Rainey Jr. and Nicki Minaji among others.

Here’s a full list of  other award winners.

• EP of the year (dancehall): Alkaline, The Ripple EFFX
• Impact award (dancehall): Chronic Law
• Impact award (reggae): Kabaka Pyramid
• Impact award (soca): Viking Ding Dong
• Performer of the year (soca): Mr. Killa
• Album of the year (dancehall): Masicka, 438
• Female artist of the year (dancehall): Spice
• Male artist of the year (dancehall): Ding Dong
• Male artist of the year (soca): Machel Montano
• Female artist of the year (soca): Patrice Roberts
• People’s choice award: Kes
• Artist of the decade: Vybz Kartel
• Collaboration of the year (soca): GBM Nutron & DJ Spider, “Down Dey”
• Collaboration of the year (dancehall/reggae): Skeng & Nicki Minaj, “Likkle Miss”
• Video of the year (dancehall/reggae): Popcaan & Toni-Anne Singh, “Next to Me”
• Video of the year (soca): Patrice Roberts, “Mind My Business”
• Best new artist (dancehall): Valiant
• Best new artist (reggae): Samora
• Best new artist (soca): Tempa
• Kompa band of the year: Klass
• Dance song of the year: Ding Dong, “BOUNCE”
• Performer of the year (dancehall): Dexta Daps
• Album of the year (reggae): Kabaka Pyramid, The Kalling
• Lifetime achievement award: Machel Montano

NASSAU, Bahamas (15 June 2023) – The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation is thrilled to announce the 34th staging of Eleuthera’s iconic Pineapple Fest which gets underway 23 – 24 June in Gregory Town, Eleuthera. The Pineapple Festival convenes under the theme “PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE…SUSTAINING OUR FUTURE” to mark the resilience of natives and honour the pineapple farmers of Eleuthera, and their valuable contributions to the industry.

Festival goers can expect a spectacular event filled with various activities, delectable pineapple-infused dishes, and unforgettable moments for both locals and visitors alike when the festival kicks off at 10 a.m. on 23 June.

Visitors from all corners of the globe are invited to indulge in the vibrant atmosphere of Gregory Town, where the streets will come alive with a diverse array of vendors, artisans, and local craftsmen including exploring the Authentic Bahamian Crafter’s Tent that will offer an abundance of unique creations of the area’s artistic talent and a Kiddies Corner for little ones.

There will be chef demonstrations highlighting the versatility of the beloved tropical pineapple fruit, the time-honoured tradition of bread baking and a number of competitions including pineapple eating and plaiting of the pineapple pole.

Top Bahamian artists including Fanshawn and Q-Pid will also take the stage during the two nights of the festival with live musical performances. The festivities will culminate with the pulsating sounds of a Junkanoo rushout.

This year’s Pineapple Festival is made possible through the support of major sponsors including Disney, The Cove Resort and Aliv. Admission to the festival is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

For more information about the 34th Annual Pineapple Festival, please visit www.bahamas.com or www.tourismtoday.com

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, May 19, 2023 – Now under the Office of the Premier, several changes will be made to Radio Turks and Caicos including a merger between the station and the communications directorate.

The revelation was made by Shonia Thomas-Been, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Premier during a May 3rd sitting of the Appropriations Committee under questioning from Edwin Astwood, Committee Member and Leader of the Opposition.  Astwood was displeased with the optics of the decision to put the national radio station directly under the premier.

“Others who aren’t the Premier, or on his team may see that as a barrier to using the service, because the appearance of it is that it is communications for the Office of the Premier is not for the entire government or country.  That is how it would appear to people,” he maintained.

Astwood requested a guarantee that this would not be the case and PS Thomas-Been responded that the communications directorate was responsible for disseminating information on all areas of government.

“We don’t want the public to be misled because the program objectives are clear that the communications directorate will serve all of the government,” she said.

Another complaint coming from Astwood was the low wages not only for regular work hours but for overtime.  Astwood highlighted that with so much asked of the employees who broadcast national events including the House of Assembly live, they should be compensated well.

The PS agreed with Astwood on this count and promises were made of more rounded salary packages for the staff as the department found its footing following its move.

“This budget does not allow for innovation or creativity within Radio Turks and Caicos,” said Thomas-Been, who continued with,  “At some point we are going to have to revamp this whole budget so that we heighten the programs, products and services of RTC,”  she acknowledged.