#newscaps

Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Here is your news cap for Thursday 11th January 2018. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today (BT), or by Daily Newspaper (DN).

MEDICAL CHIEF: NO INFO TO SUPPORT AMERICAN ADVISORY – Barbados’ medical chief is hitting back at a United States health advisory warning citizens about the water quality on South Coast beaches as a result of the sewage crisis. While the overflows from the South Coast sewage system have stopped, the United States yesterday joined Canada in issuing such a caution. “There is an overflow of raw sewage due to mechanical failure on the island’s South Coast that is affecting the water quality at certain beaches between the Hastings and St Lawrence gap areas,” the US release said. “Sewage has periodically bubbled up onto the streets, and there are reports that the overflow is reaching the beach areas,” it added. However, Acting Chief  Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George said the Ministry of Health had no information to support the claims made by the Americans. On Tuesday, the Canadian government’s advisory stated: “The South Coast of Barbados, between Hastings and St Lawrence areas, is experiencing an overflow of raw sewage due to a mechanical breakdown. Avoid the affected area and follow the instructions of local authorities.” George described the advisory from the Canadians as “responsible”, adding their statement was nothing new as the ministry had been advising the public to take a similar course of action. (DN)

PAHO HELPS WITH GASTRO PROBE – THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH is seeking help from the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) with the investigation of a gastroenteritis outbreak on the South Coast.Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George revealed this yesterday while stating there was no increase in the 35 reported cases. “We have reached out to PAHO and PAHO has agreed to assist. They have indicated initially that the way we went about the investigation has been quite satisfactory,” George told the DAILY NATION. “However, there is always the need to add more technical value to our international people and agencies and I think this is the route we are going,” he added. Gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines which is caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. George said investigations suggested the nature of the outbreak was viral, and that type of gastroenteritis was usually spread through contaminated food or water. (DN)

SPEAK FOR YOURSELF SHEPHERD – President of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Akanni McDowall has suggested that his counterpart in the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), Pedro Shepherd, is out of touch with his membership. Reacting to Shepherd’s recent suggestion that the NUPW was a bit hasty in giving the Freundel Stuart administration until next Tuesday to conclude pay negotiations, which have been ongoing for two years, McDowall said while he had no interest in getting involved in any war of words with a sister union, the BUT leader’s position was not reflective of the general mood within his own membership. “I expected brother Shepherd to say what he said. However while it comes as no surprise I am not sure that Shepherd is speaking 100 per cent for his members,” McDowall told Barbados TODAY. “I really don’t think he is fully representing what his members want at this point,” he added. In an interview on Tuesday, Shepherd told Barbados TODAY that the NUPW, which is the largest public sector union here, was grasping at too many issues at once and should give the pay process with Government more time to work. In fact, he argued that the NUPW should first complete negotiations on a lump sum coping mechanism for public workers before pushing for a 23 per cent pay hike for its members given the Government’s current financial constraints. Shepherd also said while the BUT was still committed to the trade union coalition, it was not prepared to consider industrial action just yet. However, McDowall expressed full confidence that in the event Government fails to respond to next week’s deadline by the NUPW, membership of the teachers’ union would respond in large numbers if called upon to strike. “Everybody in the public service understands why the NUPW is taking this course of action. I know that teachers are fully behind the idea of getting their salary increase and I believe that every public servant would be willing to do what is necessary so that we receive that increase,” McDowall told Barbados TODAY, adding that “sometimes as leaders we have to be careful about making generalizations, but I am very sure that most of the teachers are willing to do what is necessary”. With just days remaining for the Freundel Stuart administration to respond to the NUPW’s ultimatum for it to pay up or else, McDowall said that the union was not going to be deterred from the mission. He also stressed that even though there were diverging opinions within the trade union movement, the common goal of protecting the workers was still the same. “The NUPW is prepared to do what is necessary to make sure that our objectives are achieved. So if it means contacting the other unions for support then that is what we will do, but at this point I am not going to share what the strategy is going to be if Government continues to ignore our demands. “I can tell you that we are absolutely prepared to do whatever is necessary to ensure public servants get what is rightfully theirs,” he stressed. (BT)

CARICRIS CUTS CURRENCY RATINGS – Barbados has suffered another credit rating downgrade, this time closer to home. And it’s due to concern about the island’s falling foreign reserves, said Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS). Following similar action by its international counterparts Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) last year, CariCRIS yesterday announced its decision to reduce its foreign currency and local currency ratings for Barbados. “CariCRIS . . . has lowered the assigned regional scale ratings on the notional debt issue of US$300 million of the Government of Barbados by one notch to CariBBB- (foreign currency rating) and CariBBB (local currency rating) from CariBBB (foreign currency rating) and CariBBB+ (local currency rating),” the organisation said. It added that “these ratings indicate that the level of creditworthiness of this notional debt obligation, adjudged in relation to other obligations in the Caribbean, is adequate”. Elaborating on the move, CariCRIS said: “Our decision to lower the ratings is driven by the sustained reduction in net international reserves which have fallen to the equivalent of 2.2 months of import cover as at September 2017, below the internationally recognised minimum of three months’ (12 weeks) import cover, with foreign currency commitments including the Government’s amortised debt commitments outstripping foreign currency inflows.” It also said it had “revised the negative outlook on the ratings to stable”. This decision was “based on our expectation for a number of tourism-related investment projects that are to be completed over the next two years, would likely boost economic activity and foreign exchange earnings. “Completion of these projects, together with a number of recently-introduced fiscal measures aimed at fiscal consolidation and reduction of foreign exchange consumption, should serve to reverse the decline in reserves and rebuild the country’s external account position,” CariCRIS said. Yesterday’s downgrade was the first for 2018. Moody’s downgraded Barbados’ credit rating in March last year, and S&P issued its most recent downgrade about four months ago. These international rating agencies could take further action depending on what Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes says on January 31 when he reports on the economy’s 2017 performance and gives the bank’s 2018 outlook.  (DN)

KING HAPPY WITH WIN – DARIAN KING is very happy with the win – even if it looked harder than it should’ve been. The king of swing wasn’t too worried about blowing five match points, having focused more on getting through to last night’s second-round qualifying match against Alexander Bublik at tennis’ Australian Open. King made the comments after going to a second-set tiebreak in Tuesday night’s 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory over Aussie doubles specialist Marc Polmans. “It’s not easy playing any local person in their country, especially as Lleyton Hewitt and Peter Luszak were present for our match, so I am definitely satisfied with the performance,” reasoned the 25-year-old King. “The guy played like he had nothing to lose and started doing stuff out of his comfort zone like hitting winners. “So after getting broken to make it 5-5 I kind of gave it away the next game he served because I haven’t been feeling well, so I just wanted to focus on my service game and conserve my energy for the tie-breaker,” he added.  (DN)

WOMAN DENIES THREATENING TO KILL CHILD’S FATHER – A 36-year-old mother was released on bail today after she denied threatening to kill the father of her child. Magistrate Dougalas Frederick granted Seandette Necole Bennett of Pickwick Gap, St Michael $1,000 bail when she appeared on the criminal charge. Bennett is charged with expressing a desire to see Steve Stuart dead within the man’s earshot, which caused him to be alarmed, harassed or distressed. “You believe my child ain’t bathe yet. I hate he. I want somebody to [expletive] kill he. I can’t wait for somebody to kill he. I want to kill he,” she is accused of saying. There was no objection to bail for the emotional woman who claimed that “he shot me already and I drop the charge . . . he say nobody can’t get me [and] he will bring me down”. However, the magistrate told Bennett that she had “cried wolf” on that occasion and now she was the one facing the criminal offence. “I can’t get no peace with he. This man threatening me every day,” she stated as she revealed that Stoute had secured living accommodation in her apartment building after she “put him out”. The case against Bennett will continue in the District ‘A” Magistrates’ Court on April 17.  (BT)

I WANT TO VOTE – An alleged burglar, who has been on remand at Dodds prison for the last 12 months, has pleaded for his release in order to exercise his franchise in the general election, constitutionally due by the middle of this year. However, the plea of Kemar Romal Griffith of Woodsland, Grazettes, St Michael fell on deaf ears, and he will remain at the St Philip institution. “I got a little girl  . . . and election going to be called between now and May and I want to get home to vote. I am asking for a chance,” Griffith told Magistrate Douglas Frederick today. His application came after prosecutors revealed that the analyst in the case, who was scheduled to give evidence today, had requested more time due to office issues. “It’s a year and some that I in jail, Sir. Under the circumstances you can give me bail,” Griffith submitted. But the magistrate replied that he was not a fit candidate as he had already on bail six times. Griffith, who is in his mid-twenties, is accused of trespassing on the Silver Fox arcade on October 13, 2016 and stealing a $400 safe, $10,366 in cash, a $400 laptop belonging to Palace Amusement, and an $800 cellular phone and $189.75 belonging to Che Nurse. It is also alleged that he had a firearm at the time, as well as on October 19, 2016 when he is accused of entering the home of Robert Hawkesworth and stealing a $3,000 television, a $600 tablet, a $300 cellular phone, $300 sunglasses, a $50 car key and seven keys worth $35. He will make his next appearance in the No.1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on February 7. (BT)

BAILEY’S BLUFF FAILS TO KEEP HIM OUT OF DODDS – Two unpaid fines dating back to 2006 landed Mark Cortez Bailey of 3rd Avenue, Spring Garden, St Michael at Dodds today, when he appeared before Magistrate Douglas Frederick on charges of obstructing and resisting police. The 43-year-old Bailey had denied committing the two offences against Police Constable Christopher Rouse on January 9 in the execution of his duties at Tudor Bridge and the Black Rock Police Station when it was revealed that he had yet to settle two fines of $350 each imposed in July 2006 by former magistrate, Pamela Beckles. “First time I hearing that I have unpaid fines,” Bailey said before Frederick explained that both fines, which carried four and six-month prison sentences, were also for offences against members of the Royal Barbados Police Force. “I can’t recall that, Sir. I can’t pay what I don’t know. I ain’t get served,” Bailey protested. However, the magistrate stated that the fines were imposed in court in his presence and no one had to serve Bailey in order for him to make the payments. When asked if the $700 would be paid today, Bailey’s prospective surety informed the court that she could settle the amount within two days, and as such the accused was remanded until January 12. (BT)

NINJA MAN GETS EXTENDED STAY AT DODDS – Anthony Fitzpatrick Ninja Man Lynch today made it clear that he is a “[street] character”, not a “vagrant”. The 64-year-old, who has been on remand for the last three months, sought to clarify his status before Magistrate Douglas Frederick moments after the prosecutor, Station Sergeant Neville Reid, again objected to bail in a case involving stealing from a divine place of worship. Ninja Man is alleged to have entered St Michael’s Cathedral in The City sometime between August 6 and 8 and stole a $125 crucifix and a $25 surge protector belonging to the church. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge. However, in response to his request for bail, Reid restated his previous objections, saying this was based on the fact that the accused had no fixed place of abode and the court would not be able to secure his attendance should he abscond. The prosecutor also pointed to the seriousness on the charge, as well as for the need to protect society from the accused. But Ninja Man told the magistrate he was not difficult to track down. “I always at the Treasury building. I am not hard to find and not like I going anywhere,” he said, adding: “I am not a vagrant but a character. I cater to visitors of this country . . . I take pictures . . . I entertain them.” His bail application was denied, with the magistrate advising that the time had not yet arrived for him to be released, although that day may come soon. The magistrate also told the accused that he was looking a lot better since being incarcerated. “I feel better too,” Ninja Man responded, as he was given a February 7 date for his next court hearing. (BT)

TEARS AND SPECIAL TRIBUTES FOR DAPPA – December 29  was a sad day for the local entertainment fraternity as members mourned the tragic death of one of the island’s most talent musicians, Damien Dappa Taylor. The 35-year-old was killed in a three-vehicular accident along the Errol Barrow section of the ABC Highway near the Belle, St Michael. Taylor was famously known as a deejay and was also a familiar face of the Ruk A Tuk Band in which he played the flute. In his formative years, he was also a trumpeter in the Electrik Band. The law student was finishing his studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School when his life came to a screeching halt. Immediately following his death, his Facebook page was flooded with messages of regret that this jubilant and insightful young mind was gone. Musician and producer, Randy Eastmond, referred to Dappa as ‘his brother from another mother’. The duo was inseparable from the age of five, when they attended the YMCA summer camp. They subsequently attended the Comberemere School, where they both joined the Barbados Cadet Corps and later went on to be the founding members of one of the most dynamic bands of the 2000s, Electrik. Fellow Electrik band member and long time friend of Dappa, David Haynes, was involved in the accident as well. Haynes was the second motorcyclist involved in the collision. The drummer described his childhood friend as “a giant among men”. Haynes, who was still struggling to come to terms with the accident that unfolded in front of him, recounted that during his last conversation with Taylor at his West Terrace, St James home, Dappa reminded him of the importance of the simple things. Last Saturday, the local entertainment fraternity celebrated the inspirational life of the former Ruk A Tuk band member with a walk from Massy Stores Supermarket in Rendezvous, Christ Church to the Main Guard and Clock Tower at the Garrison Savannah. Instead of a solemn memorial, it was filled with dancing and excitement as members of the Ruk A TukBand, as well as Dancing Africa, fueled by the melodic sounds of soca, kept the crowd going. With chants of “Dappa, this one is for you”, Haynes who was manning the drums, said that the former musical genius would be watching and smiling. Members of the biking riding group, Black Knights, held an honorary bike ride across the island last Sunday in Taylor’s honour. Organizer Fabian Reeves said the group wanted to celebrate Taylor’s dynamic personality that touched the lives of everyone he interacted with. (BT)

THE WOMAN WITH THE ‘GOLDEN VOICE’ – Last Friday, the Barbados music fraternity lost another one of its gems with the death of musician and educator Melanie Cox. A passionate practitioner of the arts, Melanie was committed to the development of the local cultural industry. However, while completing her thesis for her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, in 2014, she was diagnosed with one of life’s greatest enemies – cancer. Despite her illness, Melanie, who had a golden voice and a soothing tone, never lost her spirit or passion for the arts. A lover of jazz music, she also loved percussion, whether it was playing the cabasa, wood blocks or her favourite, the tambourine. Melanie simply knew how to keep the groove alive.    I had the pleasure of working with her as a part of Operation Triple Threat’s Jazz Vocal Programme produced by Janelle Headley. Melanie, with her rich British accent, was always the humorous person within the group. Throughout those four months, she shared her jokes to ensure everyone was in high spirits and was never hesitant to share her wealth of knowledge. To generate discussion and to promote the development of the cultural industry, Melanie created the popular Facebook forum De Culture Train. This network allowed for creatives to share their opinions and make suggestions for the betterment of our cultural product. Her death has therefore come as a major loss to the country. As respected musician Wayne Poonka Willock said upon hearing news of her death: “It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that 2018 has indeed begun on a sad note. . . . She lost the battle. Condolences to all her friends and family”. His post on De Culture Train was followed by an outpouring of love from producer Chris Allman, veteran calypsonian Adonijah, four time calypso monarch Kid Site and singers Biggie Irie and Kellie Cadogan. These were just a few of the many people who shared fond memories and condolences. Whilst browsing through tributes, I vividly recalled the passing of Melanie’s very good friend, the late Adrian Boo Husbands. In fact, it was in this very same forum that Melanie had paid glowing tribute to him just about a year ago, saying: “Today I lost one of my best friends”. She said this, whilst sharing a picture of them singing at the funeral service of another departed artiste, Tassa. One thing I have come to understand, just as death is inevitable, the pain that follows after the loss of a loved one is also inescapable. We can best find comfort in the good memories we had with Melanie, and kind words she often shared. In one of her Facebook posts she said: “Keep calm and play on…” and as the music continues to play, her voice shall continue to ring in our ears, while she takes up her new role as an angel singing in God’s heavenly choir.  (BT)

GG proud of first major function – Governor General Dame Sandra Mason yesterday performed her first major official duty since taking office, presenting insignia to 35 of the 42 recipients of the 2017 National Independence Honours. Under a large tent in the sprawling grounds of Government House, with rain pouring, the new Governor General dubbed three knights and presented other insignia in a two-hour ceremony. Afterwards she said: “I felt especially proud that this was my first official function I had to perform because I believe in Independence. I believe that the persons who got the honours this morning truly deserved them.” For her first big assignment, she was again fashionably turned out in a three-piece floral ensemble comprising a ruched bustier over a below-the-knee skirt with a flounce, and a flowing jacket with wide trumpet-styled sleeves. The Nefertari creation was complemented with a wide-brimmed matching hat, pale gold handbag and shoes. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and members of his Cabinet, Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson, and family and friends of the honorees were all at Government House for the occasion. Citations were read in a lengthy presentation, and the Royal Barbados Police Force Band sounded a fanfare in tribute to the honorees after their awards were presented. Christopher Holder, head of the Maria Holder Memorial Trust which has executed several philanthropic projects in Barbados, received the Silver Crown of Merit Honorary Award and he was elated. “This was a complete shock to me, but I will wear this with honour,” said the Swiss-born, who is carrying on the work of his late mother Maria Holder. Commenting on the recognition, he told the DAILY NATION: “This is in memory of my mum and the pride that she and the family would have and I have, in carrying on the work that she has done, started in Barbados together with my brother-in-law Chesterfield Brewster.” “This award is precious,” said Barbados’ Honorary Consul in Germany, Regine Sixt, who is senior executive vice-president of the global car rental business SIXT SE. She is also founder and chairwoman of the global organisation Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation “Drying Little Tears”. In Barbados, she started the Barbados Trust “Drying Little Tears”. She has been patron of the St Peter Flower Festival for the past five years. “I feel quite astounded,” 18-year-old Dre Browne said after receiving the Barbados Bravery Medal. “It makes me feel like I have a foundation so I have to continue to build on that foundation.” The young man, who saved the life of a visitor who was drowning, said: “I feel quite happy and proud of myself that I actually got this award.” He advised other young men: “Don’t matter what people say, despite where you live, how things are for you, never give up. Stay focused. (DN)

ONE FINAL BRUTAL CRITIQUE - Over the past two decades, he has become known for his brutally honest critiques of local creative writing. However, after serving for 20 years, Chief Judge of the Frank Collymore Literary Endowment (FCLE), Antonio Boo Rudder is calling it a day. Also exiting the FCLE judging panel are Rudder’s colleagues Jane Bryce, Matthews Rochford, and Mark McWatt, who are equally known for their candid analyses of Bajan creative writing. Delivering his final report last Saturday as Chairman of the FCLE panel of judges, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation acknowledged that he had ruffling many a feather over the years, but said: “The committee’s commitment to excellence demands honest evaluation that may irritate sensitive egos.” Replacing him as chair is Esther Phillips, while Nicola Hunte; Karen Lorde and Yvonne Weekes will fill the spaces vacated by the other retiring judges on the 13-member panel. “Over the past 20 years we have enjoyed the privilege of reading the works of some of Barbados’ better writers,” Rudder also told those gathered in the Courtney Blackman Grande Salle of the Barbados Central Bank for the presentation of last year’s literary awards. But in characteristic frankness he was less than kind as he moved away from generalities and focused specifically on last year’s submissions. “The rush to print and publish remains the greatest danger that writers face in an age where all the technological tools are available for self-destruction,” Rudder warned. “This year [2017], 62 entries were submitted. Generally speaking, they included a range of interesting pieces, but the content of work in the individual entries lacked consistency of standard. Hence reading became a labour of duty, not love.” He went on to “irritate” the “sensitive egos” of not only aspiring and/or faulty writers, but managers of this country’s literary affairs. “In times of social and economic disconnect where life very often represents a fractured relationship with reality, the material we encounter may be indicative of the seriousness of the challenges we face as a nation and the dire need for corrective intervention,” he said. Consistent throughout the years, Rudder in 2012 bemoaned the disappointing quality of work he and fellow committee members had to review, explaining that for this reason, “members of the FCLE [had] decided that for the second time in our history, the first prize will not be awarded”. He said at that time the committee “pondered whether the desired standards of excellence have been achieved by the chosen entries”. Also in 2012, FCLE and its chief sponsor, the Central Bank, had a falling out of sorts and Rudder didn’t pull punches in reporting on that issue either. He said then, “in many ways the autonomy which the FCLE enjoyed for many years, seems to have been eroded. “We have been so suddenly enveloped by the bank’s policies that we also experienced an emergency . . . during one of our monthly meetings, and had to abandon our meeting and move to Queen’s Park.” That relationship has long mended. This is the Rudder that FLCE has lost to retirement. He said last Saturday, “20 years is a perfect time for me to make my exit . . . . Clearly it is time for new blood”. Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes said to the four departing judges, “you have bequeathed a rich legacy of discipline, support for writers and Barbadian literature, rigorous scrutiny, and exemplary productivity for future writers, judges, the Bank and lovers of literature”. Welcoming the replacements he said that they “bring fresh perspective to the development of the art form”. (BT)

A CELEBRATION OF FILM – The second edition of the Barbados Independent Film Festival continued last evening with the Opening Gala on the still relatively new grounds of the Walled Garden Theatre located at the Barbados Museum in the Garrison. The red carpet affair was a welcome improvement over the previous night’s activity which was affected heavily by an island wide power blackout. Several members of the film fraternity on the island and international guest stars, such as Deborah Kara Unger, Vincent Spano, Lacey Dorn and Horacio Guerrero, were in attendance. The director of the highly anticipated Green Days by the River production, Michael Moodleedhar, was also in attendance. The Caribbean premiere of the new thriller TORCH by the international film maker, Christopher Coppola, was the main event of the night. The film follows the protagonist Clara, who grew up in the jungles of Belize but was sent to live in San Francisco after a traumatic childhood incident. Before the showing, guests were busy enjoying the evening’s entertainment presented by a steelpan group out of the Barbados Community College. The group was directed by the ever talented Roger Gittens. Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano was also in attendance, as well as fellow performer and newly installed Barbados cultural ambassador Alison Hinds. Last year, American actor Stephen Land, of ‘Avatar’ fame, presented Montano with the first Barbados Independent Film Festival Award for Artistic Excellence. This year, it seemed fitting that the Like Ah Boss singer presented Hinds, his longtime colleague, with the Opening Night Gala Award for Artistic Excellence. All in all, the evening was a success, which clearly showed how much the festival has grown in just one year. It promises to present strong diverse films, with showings at Limegrove Cinemas and Olympus Theatres for the rest of the week. (BT)

MARZVILLE ON A ROLL – 2017 was a whirlwind year for Omar Marzville McQuilkin and this new year promises to be even more splendiferous. After a successful run during Crop Over 2017 when his hit songs Give It To Ya and Gas It Up respectively made it to the Sweet Soca Finals and Bashment Soca competition, the Richard Stoute Teen Talent alumnus has been busy touring throughout the Caribbean, North America and Europe. His latest stop is the 2018 Trinidad Carnival where Give It To Ya has captivated the ears and waistlines of the soca-loving population. In a telephone interview with Bajan Vibes, Marzville said these past eight months had been extremely hectic with constant bookings and performances, but he had no plans of slowly down just yet with the recent release of the Give To Ya Remix featuring Trinidadian songstress Patrice Roberts just in time for carnival. However, his 2017 release of Give It To Ya, which featured Vincentian artiste Skinny Fabulous, has been dominating the airwaves, receiving massive radio play and grabbing the top five spot in the soca charts. The growing popularity of the melodic groovy soca song has gone beyond Marzville’s wildest imagination, but the reality has settled in during his current stay in T&T, the cultural hub of soca, carnival and doubles. “It is a really good feeling when you are walking around Trinidad and people telling you have the number one song for carnival,” Marzville said. The talented musician said songs like Give It To Ya, Bam Bim and Gas It Up were not created with the intention of being an international hit, but for the enjoyment of the public. “I just do music and hope for the best,” Marzville told Bajan Vibes. “We just usually do music for Crop Over. With Bam Bim we did it just for Crop Over and it blew up, and with Give It To Ya, we said we are just going to do this song and it mash up Crop Over not knowing it is going to take over the world too,” he added. Marzville’s successes over the past two years have garnered him a following, with hundreds coming to events just to get a glimpse of the artiste. “When I went to Washington DC and I actually saw the people that came out just to see me . . . it had me feel it type of way. Even with the events now in Trinidad, I am sometimes the only artiste . . . and the event is packed,” he revealed. Aside from his Crop Over singles that have already amassed a loyal following, Marzville has released three songs for carnival 2018: Fog Up featuring Stabby, Take It From Ya and Good Vibes. He disclosed that the sweet soca Take It From Ya has been quite popular in the US market, receiving airplay on major radio stations such as Power 105 and Hot 97. With the start of the Crop Over season mere months away, Marzville revealed that he was already in the studio working on three singles. Although he remained tightlipped on what listeners can expect, he indicated that he would be bringing out his bashment soca and ragga soca selections in April. (BT)

FRESH CONVERSATION – After an extraordinarily successful run during December with Mahalia’s Corner, local band, 2 Mile Hill, is beginning the new year with a fresh sound for their loyal listeners and the release of their latest single, Conversation. Known for their perfect blend of pop, hip hop, soul and Caribbean energy, the group is debuting a sultry and sexy track which will have listeners shaken. Written by lead vocalist Mahalia Cummins and produced by Black Man Chant, the production company of 2 Mile Hill musical director and keyboardist Andre Clarke, the infectious dancehall track addresses takes on the topic of sex, namely casual relationships or ‘booty calls’, from the female perspective. “It is looking at the more primal side of human connection, so every relationship that you have isn’t going to be romantic and nice, and sometimes you just kind of want a booty call,” Mahalia explained to Bajan Vibes. “This is 2018, we are strong women, we don’t pretend, we don’t need to be demure . . . we can be sexual, we can own our sexuality so Conversation is kind of a look at female sexuality and the realities of how we can be,” she added. The singer/songwriter disclosed that the song was created during a collaborative songwriting session with the other members of the group. “It just came about from the beat that Andrew started when we were in the writing session. It was just really sultry and really Caribbean and also really sexy, so the song just evolved from that,” Mahalia said. This unconventional decision by the band is not a rebranding but rather an exploration of what is to come as they mature personally and professionally. From humble beginnings as college students who played covers in St Lawrence Gap, the group has been embraced by the Barbadian public and internationally, sharing the stage with stars such as Erykah Badu, Wyclef Jean, and Damian Marley to name a few. “The music . . .  reflected where we were and our journey and now there is a refocusing on home, Barbados, Barbadian accents and Barbadiana in general and taking that specifically to the rest of the world and showing that nobody can do Caribbean music like Caribbean people so the music has a very Caribbean core and now it is impossible to overlook,” Mahalia said. “Previously in our music, there would always been Caribbean elements but they wouldn’t have been at the forefront, but now it is going to be impossible for someone to listen to a 2 Mile Hill song and not realize that it is a Caribbean group,” she added. With their successful formula of fusing Caribbean and North American rhythms, listeners are in for a treat, following the launch of Conversation which was scheduled for earlier today, Wednesday, January 10.  (BT)

Massu - forever a chibi ♥

Well I thought they're going to shoot a PV for real.