T&T's Squeezy Rankin Reveals Where The Vibe Starts

Squeezy Rankin

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. July 20, 2011------------- T&T’s Squeezy Rankin has been churning out the hits in recent months. His hardcore style leaves little to the imagination, but he admits to keeping that side of his musical repertoire for performances suitable to such. For radio, he turns to local production house, PengCo Music. “PengCo Music is partially responsible for my success,” he said, - this as he gets ready to once again release something mammoth across the airwaves.  

Currently, Squeezy’s working on PengCo Music’s Blueberry riddim and while he admits the track is not yet completed, he assures that fans of his music had better be ready for what’s about to come their way.  The Arima native has been working with PengCo Music for the past two years and says the relationship has been a great one. “ The vibes always on point,” he assured, adding that if the vibe weren’t there, there’d simply be no hits.  

In the past, Squeezy Rankin’s working relationship with PengCo Music has lent to the release of tracks like Nah Play We Tune, Part of De Struggle and Confessions on the Android riddim, 

which was released earlier this year- songs that were all executively produced by PengCo Music. He says since hooking up with the local production house, the style of his music has changed somewhat, explaining that he has since been able to deliver what he refers to as a 

The Soon To Be Released: Blueberry Riddim

more subtle sound for the benefit of radio audiences.  

The Blueberry riddim is carded for release in the weeks ahead, and according to insiders at PengCo, it will be an incredible fusion of beats, perfectly suited to the holiday vibe on the 

island. Squeezy Rankin meanwhile, is never one to disappoint so fans of the artiste can rest assured that his single on the Blueberry riddim, will be just what the doctor ordered to take the ‘Trini summer’ to the heights of enjoyment.  

Corporate T&T Teams Up With Local Production House on Kush Riddim.

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. July 6, 2011------------- For the first time in the Caribbean, artistes, all singing on one riddim, will team up with a number of product brands on a musical tour.

PengCo Music’s Kush riddim will be released in the weeks ahead and already there’s a penetrating buzz signaling that some very big names in the local reggae fraternity will be a part of the journey. For these artistes a relationship with PengCo music means a full-fledged marketing campaign, complete with music promotion via online social media sites and blog networks in partnership with well-known corporate brands that have committed to stand behind the venture. The production house, which gave the world the Android riddim earlier this year, has worked hard on the Kush, and is guaranteeing that local artistes will have a superb platform on which to dish out their lyrics.

Among the featured artistes carded to release tracks on the Kush riddim are Isasha, Multi-Symptom, Marlon Asher and Orlando Octave. Together with a few other big names and some relatively unknown yet tremendously talented young entertainers, the Kush riddim, according to directors at PengCo Music, will offer quite a few musical anthems going into the second half of the year when it is released around July 28^th.

Recent weeks of sleepless nights have afforded a high level of satisfaction now that the riddim has been completed. PengCo Music has proven to be a frontrunner on Trinidad and Tobago’s production circuit and for that reason many anticipate the tracks that this new riddim will encourage. In March this year, PengCo Music’s Android riddim heard artistes like Buffy, Screws, Squeezy Rankin and King David among others, deliver a barrage of hits that music lovers just couldn’t get enough of. Much the same, the guarantee of a hard-hitting, vibes-induced Kush riddim, will undoubtedly leave tongues talking

T&T's Jade Lopez Comes Back Harder Than Before

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. June 28, 2011-------------Despite the reality that local music in Trinidad and Tobago benefits less from on air rotation than that of foreign tracks, one T&T bred entertainer’s holding the faith and is optimistic that in this, his return to the mainstream market, he’ll receive the appreciation he deserves from all stakeholders of the local industry. 

Jade Lopez is coming back to the fore. His honey-sweet voice has rested but not so much that practice sessions and small gigs have not been attended to. In fact, Jade’s been in the studio with local producer Mr. Spine of Holy House Production. They’ve worked together before and their chemistry has proven unbeatable. With four previous recordings in the bag, including Lopez’s Bum Bum, there was no hesitation when the option to work together once again, presented itself. In 2011, Lopez and Spine say they’ve created a masterpiece, a work of art that rides smoothly on Spine’s brand new Girlzaholic riddim.
The track entitled, Hot Gyal is just one of two tracks recorded by the 27- year-old artiste thus far, this year. It is however the most recent, and it is the track he hopes will create a buzz heading into the vacation period in the Caribbean.

For this young singer and songwriter, entertainment is embedded in every aspect of his life. He has done a great deal, including vocally supporting artistes such as Soca’s very own, KMC and Naya George. Lopez has also performed alongside the likes of Jamaica’s Ninja Man, Busy Signal, Alley Cat and T&T’s Ziggy Rankin, Prophet Benjamin, Denise Belfon and the Millionaire Family to name a few. Now, after a brief hiatus to better equip himself with what he felt was needed to prove his worth, Jade Lopez is back and he says he’s ready to shake things up.

Hot Gyal has already been released locally and plans are underway to further promote the track with the hope that a wide cross section of music lovers will listen, enjoy and help keep in on-air rotation. The song meshes a fun filled vibe with a great flow of lyrics, dynamic production and a keen melodic balance. With hopes that it will sit well with all the international hits that receive the love of the masses, Lopez is pushing hard, assuring that T&T and the world will soon realize that he’s much more than meets the eye.

ABOUT JADE LOPEZ

A native of Fyzabad, Trinidad, Jade Lopez has been a part of the Caribbean music industry for the past eight years. Lopez was recognized for his first hit song, Bum Bum, which is well known in the Caribbean and internationally, receiving the attention of music lovers in Canada, New York and Europe. The track led to his 2008 nomination for the Best New Groovy Soca Artiste at the International Soca Awards. With his eyes set on gaining international recognition, the young artiste is honing his craft, doing what must be done to ensure ultimate success.

Sunpop Princess Krystal Khayne Steps Into Soca Spotlight-Makes Big Impression

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. January 15, 2011 - Her sophisticated nature won’t stop her from generating a carnival buzz this season. R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Techno and Dance music have all been done by T&T’s sunpop sensation Krystal Khayne, but as the island’s Carnival takes focus, the world had better prepare to experience the versatility of this super talented songbird. 

Krystal Khayne’s vocals are presently being plastered from pillar to post alongside that of Umi Marcano in what is certainly the height of the carnival season. To many, this may be a bit strange as never before has the Belmont born vocalist ventured into the Soca spotlight.

On Sunday, January 9th, a single entitled, “Bring It” alongside Marcano, was released. The track, which was produced by Trinidad based Mad Men Productions is just a taste of what the young vocalist will offer for the high-energy season. Soon to come is yet another Soca collaboration with HD Family member, Zan. The track, which will be called “So Hot,” will be released within the next few weeks. 

Khayne’s sudden leap into the soca spotlight wasn’t planned. She however felt the need to answer the call of her fan base. “Many people wanted to hear just how I’d sound, and even I was a bit curious to hear the final product,” she admitted. For Krystal – the girl who’s admired big name artistes like Whitney Houston Mariah Carey and Chaka Khan all her life, the decision to do ‘home’ was certainly a big one. She however knew it was necessary to show the Caribbean that no matter what, her appreciation for her roots, would never dwindle. “I had to show the world that I do have a strong appreciation for soca music. I love soca music. I love listening to it and ‘wining’ to it at parties,” she laughed. Krystal however prides herself as a strong R&B artiste. Having opened for John Legend on his visit to Trinidad in June 2009, Krystal’s talent immediately became known and embraced. Her vocal ability led to performances at the Tobago Jazz Festival last year and the Digicel Outta Conrol Tour shortly after that. Just after the New Years weekend, Khayne returned to Trinidad from Barbados where she lit up the stage at Carib Fest 2011. Now with all sights set on carnival, she’s turning up the heat, stepping onto the local scene with some very hot tracks that are guaranteed to make waves this season and well into the summer. 

Currently, Khayne who works arduously at her craft is focused on the creation of three music EPs, which she explained, will be used to shop for international consumption in the months ahead. She explained that the EPs, which will fuse dance music with soca will be individually produced by three producers out of T&T, among them, the reputed Richard Charsu Ahong. 

In the meantime however, she’s giving just a taste of what she’s got and what the world can look forward to, both in the carnival season and thereafter when her crossover hits are unleashed together with the her flavourful R&B, Reggae and Hip-Hop ballads her fans eagerly await.

Holyhouse Unleashes the Honeybottle.

Holy  House Production is coming to cause it in 2011.

You’ve heard the name, and by now you’ve lapped up every melodic note of their contagious musical vibe, much of which has been recorded by the Millionaire Family. As Carnival 2K11 approaches however, producer extraordinaire, Mr. Spine says the time has come to open an avenue for a new group of youngsters.

With a brand new riddim and a brand new vibe, Mr. Spine on October 22^nd, released the first of seven crossover Soca tracks, all of which are from new rising stars under the Holy House Production banner. “My mission is to create an avenue for as much youths as possible with proper guidance and good music,” said Spine.

In 2010, Spine unleashed several hits onto the scene, and with the taste of success still strong, he continues.

This time around, Smooth, Nessa, Nikky, Izac King, Royal, Ejo and Lunni Spark & Electrify- will start the 2011 season on the Honeybottle Riddim. “Their voices are all sweet, fresh and just what the industry needs,” said Spine. “ Their melody is sweet to the ear, like honey is sweet to the taste buds,” he added.

Spine has always been a strong advocate for local music. Having lent his vocals this past summer to a track called “Girls Time,” alongside Fadda Moses, the super producer who wears countless other hats in the entertainment world, knows what it means to be an artiste- the rigors of the job and the critique that often comes along with it.

“ I think growth is always good. New is always good the new is always unexpected so you never know what’s coming,” highlighted Spine and with a lot in the pipeline, this young entrepreneur’s got his eyes set on the stars.

Some major releases from a few international superstars in collaboration with local Holy House artistes are in the cards for the year ahead. Spine says he believes there’s strength in numbers and with that mantra a constant reminder of his initial goal- he says, “ If youths out there think they have what it takes, we’re opening our doors to them- email Holy House Production at holyhouseproduction@gmail.com.”

For now though, the buzz is strong when it comes to seven new tracks on the Honeybottle riddim. From Smooth’s “ Rude Wine,” to Nessa’s “ As Sexy as I Am,” Ejo’s “ Turn It Around,” Izac King’s “On Yuh” and Nikky’s “Rollin”- it’s safe to say, Carnival 2K11 is surely starting off on quite a sexy note- wouldn’t you say?

Find all music produced by Holy House Production at www.Trinidadtunes.com.

Therapy Launches Car Show....

It’s time to ‘love up we culture.’

Youths in T&T and across the Caribbean are chanting to the beat of their respective nationalities more these days and this is due in part to the great music being unleashed to the masses from all islands. Not only has Jamaica penetrated the minds of Caribbean people but so has St. Vincent, Barbados and now, with the emergence of some very talented youths, Trinidad and Tobago is proving a force, too.

From the belly of the island’s central criminal point, Morvant Laventille- comes a young man who’s bent on eliminating negativity from his language, his way of life and that of his peers. Fresh and ready to take on anything, Therapy, real name- Hayden Peters, is this week unveiling another pivotal track that’ll soon prove essential to his overall elevation.

From the heat of the 2010 Carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago where he released, “Stand Up,” an outcry for the youths to take their lives in a different direction, he’s now relaxing a bit, in a bid to teach the youths and the older heads too, just how much positively engaging fun can be experienced in life.

“ Car Show,” his latest contribution to T&T’s local crossover genre is not only catchy, but the track, which was produced by Klase Gonzales of First Klase Production Studio in T&T, is easy on the ear, relatable and as mentioned above, creates an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment. Already, Therapy has aligned himself with a local car-show promoter to ensure his song penetrates the masses at the namesake event.

With the help of his management team and local publicity firm, ET-CET-ERA The Company, the artiste is bent on taking his music beyond radio stations, but also into regional venues and certainly the advertising market. Coupled with his strong intent and the support of the promotional entity who will on Saturday, May 1^st and Saturday May 8^th, host Cars Reloaded in St. Helena, Trinidad and Extreme Machines in Malabar, respectively, the journey to great musical accomplishment is certainly underway.            

 

Thankful for the support of the DJ’s and mic men who’ve held fast to the promotion of T&T’s music, Therapy says, “ music is in me, in my soul… I can provide it, I just need the masses to hear it and the sky’s going to be the limit!”

Bunji Plans 'Big Time Show' for July Birthday In T&T!

An extraordinary event is in the pipeline for July 17th. Port-of-Spain Trinidad will on that night, experience a true celebration of life as local soca artiste, Ian Alvarez, better known by his stage name, Bunji Garlin, will throw the birthday bash of a lifetime. 
Coined, Bunji Garlin’s Birthday Bash, soca stars from the island of the musical genre’s birth and many from across the region, will come together with dancehall and reggae’s best to give the people of T&T a truly thrilling stage show. 

Already, local event coordinating powerhouse has been hired to ensure the masses come out and are treated to a professionally engaging event from venue to accommodation, ticketing to parking and sound quality among other specifics. 

This time around, Garlin, who has amassed a tremendous following, both regionally and internationally over the years, has decided to splurge on what has become an annual event. Instead of the regular run of the mill club event, the self-proclaimed, ‘Fireman’ is calling all party lovers and fans of his music, to indulge in a truly memorable outdoor birthday bash experience. 

A weekend-long schedule of activity is being planned for not just the stars who’ll grace the event, but also the people who, according to the artiste himself, “ has been my driving force and inspiration for many years.” 

Among the lineup of stars set to be a part of the celebration is Jamaican sensation Busy Signal who this year collaborated with Fay Ann Lyons Alavarez on her hit soca single, Start Wining. The crowned princess of Soca and wife of the birthday boy has also come up with what many will agree is the best conclusion to the weekend- a Sunday night simmer at The Living Room Nightclub in Arima.