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Although almost unknown in his homeland, actor Ken Renard (1907-1993) had a groundbreaking career that lasted decades. He moved from theatre in Harlem to Broadway to radio, films and television – he appeared in almost 20 feature films and dozens of well-known television shows. “Ken Renard” was the stage name he used throughout his career, but he was born Kenneth Renwick in Port of Spain in 1907, according to his US immigration record dated May 14, 1923. Renard appeared in fil

Marlon Asher’s “Ganja Farmer” turned 21 this year, and there is no more fitting coming-of-age celebration than a Grammy nomination for Asher and the two men who helped bring the song to life, Carl “Beaver” Henderson and Geron “Gee” Woodruffe. The trio are credited on Burna Boy’s Grammy-nominated album No Sign of Weakness for the track 28 Grams, which samples Ganja Farmer. The album is nominated in the Best Global Music Album category. Niph Key from Nigeria produced the song.

PRODUCTION ONE LTD (POL) has announced that there will be no Jazz Artists on the Greens-2026. In a statement on November 15, the company said the uncertain state of the post-pandemic economy, along with state policies aligned to the entertainment sector and its impact on private sector sponsorship, even beyond the annual Carnival season, influenced its decision. The company said it has also noted the minimal uptake of tax incentives for sponsorship by the private sector. “The

Irvin “Blackie” Blackman has turned that sting of suspicion into pure comedy gold in his hilarious Carnival 2026 opener “Who Is He”. The veteran calypsonian sets the scene with dramatic flair: mid-passion, his lover cries out another man’s name. He pauses, baffled but bemused, and instead of heartbreak, delivers humour. He sings: Last night while we lovin’ And we two heart did pumpin’ You call a strange name While we in ecstasy Makin’ sweet love baby You scream out ah strange

When Adrian “Bass” Hackshaw noticed dark specks drifting across his right eye, he knew something was not right. Then they multiplied. What began as a small irritation became a warning he could not ignore, and a visit to the specialist brought news that shifted everything in an instant. “I had what was called a retinal detachment which is basically tissue ruptured at the back of my right eye,” Bass told the Express via WhatsApp on Wednesday. “I was seeing floaters, like lots o

MINISTER of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin and president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) Ainsley King, have extended financial assistance to veteran calypsonian Lynette “Lady Gypsy” Steele, following a poorly attended benefit concert she organised in aid of legendary musician Errol Ince. Benjamin and King presented Lady Gypsy with a $25,000 cheque during a brief ceremony at the ministry’s headquarters on October 27. The gesture r

Yuh fly de dread?” That’s the first question on everyone’s lips when they see Mical Teja Williams’ crisp new fade. The once dreadlocked hitmaker recently walked out of Crew Cutz barbershop with a whole new rizz that had timelines sparking. Beyond vanity, Teja says the cut marks a deeper shift, a shedding, a step into a chapter he has already been walking toward internally. “That moment felt like I was releasing a whole lifetime of stories, the weight of years, the quiet lesso

Hellen Obiri of Kenya set a course record to win the New York City Marathon on Sunday. Obiri, who also won the race in 2023, finished in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 51 seconds. Obiri was running with 2022 winner Sharon Lokedi until she pulled away from her countrymate in the final mile, surging ahead and winning easily, besting the previous course record of 2:22.31 set by Margaret Okayo in 2003. Defending champion Sheila Chepkirui finished third. All three beat the previous cours

KINETIC MAS has taken an unusual approach to increased alcohol prices – a decrease in the price of its costumes. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced an increase in excise duties on alcohol and tobacco products during the reading of the 2025/26 budget presentation. Excise duties are indirect taxes on specific products or services like alcohol and tobacco. Although many might have to increase their prices because of the increase in alcohol, Peter Samuel and the band’

When one talks about pan wizardry, they can be referring to none other than iconic Phase II Pan Groove Steelband arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe. The late musicologist Pat Bishop anointed him with the famous title. The “boy from Benares Street”, St James, was born on October 28, 1953. He is gearing up to celebrate his 72nd birthday at the ensemble’s Hamilton Street, Woodbrook, home. He will be joined by the top four steelbands—Massy All Stars, Desperadoes, bpTT Renegades and Re

The U.S. military struck another boat in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday, and there were survivors aboard the vessel, a U.S. official confirmed to CBS News. A day later, CBS News learned there were two survivors. President Trump on Saturday said the survivors, one from Ecuador and another from Colombia, will be returned to their countries of origin. "There were four known narcoterrorists on board the vessel. Two of the terrorists were killed," Mr. Trump said in a Truth Social p

Queen of Soca, the vibrant and unapologetically TT feature film directed by Kevin Adams, made its debut at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, earning praise for its authenticity, emotional depth and powerful celebration of Caribbean identity. Now, the film prepares to bring that same energy to audiences nationwide when it opens in cinemas on October 16. Rooted in the rhythms and realities of TT, Queen of Soca is a coming-of-age story about Olivia (played by Terri Lyons),

The Trinidad and Tobago National Calypso Monarch 2020 and hat-trick Regional Queen of Queens Monarch (2022, 2023, 2024), Terri Lyons, is no stranger to the spotlight. A talented, charismatic, and vibrant product of entertainment royalty, she carries forward the legacy of her late mother, singer and performer Dionne Phillips, and her father, 10-time Road March title holder and multiple Soca Monarch champion Austin “Superblue” Lyons. Beyond the stage lights, though, Lyons is de

A 60-year-old lawful permanent resident in Chicago, Rueben Antonio Cruz, was ticketed $130 last week after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents found he wasn’t carrying his identification—a routine stop that ended without detention but signaled a renewed federal focus on enforcing a long-dormant rule, according to reporting by NBC Chicago and Chicago Tribune. For decades, a little-known provision of federal law has required adult non-U.S. citizens to “at all

Corie sits down with Kasey Phillips, the world-renowned producer and CEO of Precision Productions, whose sound has defined a generation of soca and shaped the evolution of Caribbean music. Kasey opens up about his journey from engineering hits for KMC and Machel Montano to crafting global soca anthems like Antilles and countless Road March winners. He reflects on his creative philosophy, the business of production, and why he refuses to compromise on ownership or fairness in

BY the time it ends tomorrow, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, will have drawn an estimated 28 million visitors to its sprawling complex...

“Look like I have to put meh gyal on loan.”That chorus line from Kris “KI” Persad’s chutney soca track “Loan” captures the spirit of the...

Boston-based music producer, Diamond Dale has collaborated with well-known Tobago entertainment hub, Jade Monkey to produce the riddim,...

Soca artiste Ding Dong (Andre Houlder) is out the gate early, already delivering two songs ahead of Tobago carnival saying he’s doing...

International vocalist Melly Rose is opening up about her life-changing decision to leave the US and move back to Trinidad and Tobago....