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Narissa Fraser

An award-winning, influential writer and media professional with a decade of experience across digital, print and broadcast platforms. 

Popular stories.

Angelo’s ‘Encore’: 8-year-old gets dream performances with Machel

When eight-year-old An­ge­lo Gore heard about a com­pe­ti­tion for a chance to per­form with Machel Mon­tano, he be­gan re­hears­ing im­me­di­ate­ly. He grabbed a mic, had his fam­i­ly record him, and sub­mit­ted his en­try. And al­though he didn’t end up get­ting enough shares to win, the so­ca star still gave him a chance to touch two of the Car­ni­val sea­son’s biggest stages and “gih dem per­for­mance.”Mon­tano launched his MM En­core com­pe­ti­tion in Jan­u­ary, where par­ti...

Grenadian jab anthems spice up T&T Carnival

Af­ter dom­i­nat­ing Spice­mas in 2025, sev­er­al Grena­di­an so­ca hits are tak­ing over Trinidad and To­ba­go’s Car­ni­val cel­e­bra­tions. So it’s no sur­prise the artistes flew over to give au­di­ences a di­rect taste of their coun­try’s Jab en­er­gy. Some top tunes in­clude Jab De­ci­sions by V’ghn and Ter­ra D Gov­er­nor, Pay­roll by Mud­dy—which won Grena­da’s So­ca Monarch—and Lil Ker­ry’s Road March-win­ning banger, Bury All. Now-icon­ic lines like “Put d Jab Jab on a pa...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Dominique Thorne: American actress with Trini roots stars as Marvel’s Ironheart - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SHE loves hot doubles with the perfect ratio of channa to tamarind sauce, likes the beach and enjoys a good family lime.

She may sound like an average Trini but she is also the star of an upcoming Disney Plus/Marvel series.

Born to TT parents in the US, 23-year-old actress Dominique Thorne is set to invade your screen as Marvel’s Ironheart.

The actress was born and raised in New York but her mother, Nerissa Guy, is from Carapichaima and her father, Navie Guy, is from Mayaro. She also has two...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Machel and friends take soca to NPR Tiny Desk: A moment for every Caribbean soul - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SOCA music has made it to NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series.

Machel Montano and a group of talented musicians made history as they brought the Washington, DC, studio alive with the vibrant sounds of the TT-born genre.

The 20-minute concert was uploaded to YouTube on January 13 (images from the concert leaked online in late November 2024).

The Tiny Desk Concert series, which began in 2008, allows singers and musicians to give intimate live concerts. Many of its videos garner millions of views.

N...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

The influence, challenges of Trinibad music - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

RISE OF TRINIBAD MUSIC

TRINIBAD, TT’s spin on dancehall music, often addresses the harsh and violent realities of those who live in areas deemed ghettos.

The artistes behind the music and fans alike do not scorn the term "ghetto," as others may, though. In fact, they embrace it, proudly calling themselves ghetto youths.

Many TT artistes dabbled in dancehall for decades, but the rise of the Trinibad movement only began sometime in the 2010s.

What started as a genre scorned by mainstream media...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Starting the Pardy: How the 2025 Road March was born - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

A producer’s laptop crashing, studio sessions exceeding six hours, a writer going back to the drawing board more than once – the creative team behind the 2025 Road March really did work hard and deserve a Pardy.

Producers Mevon “XplicitMevon” Soodeen, Kyle “BadJohn Republic” Phillips and songwriter Andre Jeffers teamed up with soca powerhouse Machel Montano to give revellers a musical stress reliever that took over the country.

Regular work day

It was last August that Soodeen created the beat...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Cumuto's laughing man – Davey Rampersad - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

MANY say laughter is the best medicine.

This is probably Davey Rampersad's key to good health.

Known on social media for his infectious laughter, the 61-year-old says he simply enjoys making other people happy.

Rampersad was born and raised in Cumuto. He said he had a pretty quiet childhood and as an adult, he mostly worked in the area of mechanics.

Raised in a Catholic household, he said he has a very strong faith in God.

Davey Rampersad. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle -

"My whole life, all I...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Bunji Garlin's Carry It: The creation of the ‘ground’ anthem - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

WHEN Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez first heard a beat sent to him by Stemz (Michael Ramroop S’obrian), he immediately felt the “raw, raw magic” that could only come from the grassroots. He told the producer: "Don’t try to imagine what this song will be. Because no matter what you imagine, that is not it.” He knew it was about to be something unexpected and impactful. And it was. And he carried it.

Carry It, his 2025 hit, features background vocals by Vernice “Trini Baby” Herreira and guitars by Ky...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Kerissa Khan’s dreams take off: Trini engineer heads Royal Aeronautical Society - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

IT is a quiet day in the small, southeastern town of Rio Claro in Trinidad. A little girl named Kerissa Khan is playing outdoors, having the time of her life.

But then she spots some white trails across the sky and hears a thunderous sound. Is it a bird? No. Is it a plane? Yes. It is the Concorde, moving faster than the speed of sound, and little Kerissa is fascinated.

But who knew decades later, she would grow up to become one of the world’s leading aeronautical professionals?

Khan is now an...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Tano assembles Kes, Coutain, GBM for Heroes Riddim - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

FROM the San Fernando studio of local hit-making producer Michael “Tano” Montano comes a team of soca stars with one mission: Fill the airwaves with irresistible melodies.

Packed with live instruments and featuring songs by Coutain, Kes and GBM Nutron, the Heroes Riddim already has the population grooving.

The credits include musicians Daniel Ryan (saxophone arrangement), Aaron Blenman (trombone), Charles Randy Williams (trumpet), Joshua Richardson (bass), Rhys Thompson and Modupe Onilu (live...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Mr Worldwide – Dillon DeCoteau visits all 193 UN countries - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

DILLON DeCoteau has done something only a few hundred people have done – visit all 193 UN countries. He didn’t just stop there, either, as he has been to over 200 countries and may someday boast of visiting every country in the world.

DeCoteau, 55, hails from Arima and grew up in TT before moving to Canada at age 18.

He currently works at the finance ministry in Ontario, Canada, as his professional areas of specialisation are actuarial science, statistics and economics.

He said the story of h...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Full Blown strikes gold with Big Links Riddim - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

LOCAL songwriting/production duo Full Blown Entertainment (Kevon and Kory Hart) have struck gold once again – this time with their Big Links Riddim.

Featuring songs from themselves, Machel Montano, Kes and Yung Bredda, it is safe to say they are in good spirits as it continues to dominate Trinidad and Tobago’s airwaves.

Their catalogue includes a long list of hits.

For Montano alone, they wrote The Fog, Like Ah Boss, Junction, Vibes Cyah Done, Epic, Bottle of Rum, Mr Fete, Take It Slow, among...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Guitarist Kyle Peters's persistence pays off - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

KYLE PETERS’S name pops up quite often as the featured guitarist on popular local tunes.

Even if you don’t check credits, you’re probably familiar with his work through songs like Mical Teja’s DNA and Runaway, Peace of Mind by Voice (Aaron St Louis), Anxiety by Patrice Roberts and Carry It by Bunji Garlin (Ian Antonio Alvarez), among others.

With a love of music spanning over three decades and a journey grounded on persistence, Peters continues to excel.

Love at first string

Peters, 39, was...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Artist Nicholas Huggins to take viewers on 'field trip' in upcoming exhibition - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

AFTER organising and successfully hosting his first solo art exhibition last year, local artist Nicholas Huggins said he would wait some years before doing another, because of the extent of work that went into it.

But while artists may take breaks, creativity never truly goes on vacation. Huggins returns to the Art Society, Port of Spain, on December 14 with another exhibition, titled Field Trip.

Huggins grew up in St Ann's and Maraval. He attended the Bishop Anstey Junior School, and then St...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Trinidad and Tobago creators, musicians team up for Google Doodles steelpan collab - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

USERS who visited the online search engine Google’s homepage on Tuesday were able to hear the sound of this country’s national instrument, the steelpan.

Google regularly features interactive and informative doodles on its homepage.

And on Tuesday, it said it was “celebrating Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument and the history behind it,” as it was the 71st anniversary of the Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra’s (TASPO) performance at the Festival of Britain.

In a tweet on Tuesd...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Trini nail tech wins big at international competition - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

FROM helping her older sister remove polish from clients' nails, to now having her own thriving nails business, Lecah Maloney's life has come full circle. And now, the 33-year-old boasts of winning two categories at the international competition Nailympia.

Maloney is not from the region of Trinidad and Tobago her name might suggest, but, rather, hails from Salazar Trace, Point Fortin – an area commonly called "Mora."

She attended Vessigny Secondary School, followed by UWI, St Augustine where s...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Conservationist urges people to explore Trinidad and Tobago more - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

From a professional-sounding perspective, Nicholas Walker calls himself a conservationist and nature enthusiast.

But in casual conversation, he is “just a man who likes the bush.”

From fields to forests, the former national footballer is now on a mission to get more people interested in this country’s flora and fauna.

Walker, 33, was raised in St Ann’s, Port of Spain, in a large family. He told Sunday Newsday he has always been surrounded by and in love with nature.

“(As a child) I was exact...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Trinidad and Tobago artist Brittany Davis living her dream in NY - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

BRITTANY "Brigitte" Davis knows all too well what it's like for people say her dreams aren't achievable.

But now as the 25-year-old TT artist basks in her international successes, she is urging young people not to be discouraged by the words of others.

She was raised in the southern village of Los Bajos and attended the Siparia Union Presbyterian Primary School, then Holy Faith Convent, Penal until form four.

She told Sunday Newsday she was always interested in both art and fashion.

"Everybo...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Golda Lee Bruce: Part-time author, full-time adventurer - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

AS a child, Golda Lee Bruce was a risk-taker and an adventurer – the type of person who could have been the main protagonist in a Disney film.

That fearlessness and refusal to let anything prevent her from achieving what she desires continued to her adult life.

This year she's published a book, Born on an Island: Stories from a Trinidadian Girlhood – as in true adventurer fashion, she has many stories to tell.

The 39-year-old, a news media and communications professional, was born and raised...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Laugh on the Ave: A new era of comedy - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

WHY does Dracula read the Newsday? It has good circulation.

Yeah, maybe we should stick to reporting. But if you do wish to laugh until you cry, you can attend a session of Laugh On The Ave – one of the newest comedy show series to take over the country.

Started by a group of young, budding comedians in 2020, the show has made its way to north, south and central Trinidad, attracting hundreds of attendees.

Comedian Kwame Weekes -

On its Facebook page, it says: As the younger generation of loc...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Hard Fete producer recalls journey to creation of a soca hit - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

WHAT if you were told the beat of Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez's song Hard Fete was originally a riddim with several soca artistes? What if you were told he was not even one of those select artistes, originally?

One can always plan, but some things are just meant to be. Eventually, that riddim found its way to Bunji who did what he does best – he transformed it into a lyrically-brilliant, monster hit that is mashing up fetes across Trinidad and Tobago.

Written by Bunji, the track was produced by...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Patrice Roberts, Machel Montano, XplicitMevon create nostalgia with Like Yuh Self - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

THERE are soca songs, and there are soca songs that evoke deep feelings of nostalgia and bring the ghosts of Carnivals past to haunt you like the jumbie that was in the late Mighty Shadow's head. One such song for the 2023 Carnival season, based on the feedback of frequent masqueraders, is Like Yuh Self by Machel Montano and Patrice Roberts. The song has also officially entered the Road March race.

It was produced by Mevon "XplicitMevon" Soodeen, and also written by Soodeen, Kevon Hart, Kory Ha...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Fan performs Hard Fete with Bunji Garlin on stage: 'I will remember this forever' - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SHALLEIKA HAZELL is no stranger to performing on stage in front of big crowds. In fact, she even won the 2005 Junior Calypso Monarch competition.

But little did she know that in 2023, Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez would spot her in the audience singing one of his songs word for word and invite her to mash up a fete alongside him.

Hazell, a reliability engineer at Shell and a long-time fan of the viking, went viral on social media for performing Garlin's 2023 hit song Hard Fete – arguably one of t...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

25 years later: A look back at Peter Minshall's Olympic magic - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

A national flag once drenched in an Olympic medallist’s sweat, event schedules and pins are just some reminders still cherished by the TT members of the design and production team for the 1996 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

But memories of the mayhem, magic, pride and emotions remain in their hearts and minds 25 years later.

The 1996 Olympic Games marked the 100th anniversary of the first modern Olympic Games. It was held in Atlanta, Georgia, US.

Olympic opening ceremonies are generally a bi...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

From Trinidad to The Hague: Justice Alexis-Windsor joins International Criminal Court - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

From playing hopscotch on the streets of Point Fortin with dreams of becoming a lawyer, to being elected to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice Althea Alexis-Windsor has had quite a life. The 47-year-old mother of two told WMN about her journey and how she lives by the mantra, “You never stop learning.”

Alexis-Windsor was born and raised in Fanny Village, Point Fortin, and is the last of seven children – four boys, three girls – born to Grenadian parents Violet and Henry. She told W...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Trini producers featured on FIFA 2021 soundtrack - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

TWO TT producers now have their names included in one of the gaming and sporting community’s most anticipated annual soundtracks.

Beamer by Nigerian artiste Rema, produced by Jamaica’s Rvssian and TT nationals Richard “MRI” McClashie and Michael “Tano” Montano is featured on the 2021 FIFA soundtrack.

The game was officially released worldwide on October 9 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. This year’s cover features French national and Paris Saint-Germain youth star Kylian Mbappé.

FIFA soun...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Nikkia Reveillac digs the data at Twitter - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Twitter's new head of research is passionate about data, business and marketing. And she was born in TT.

WMN spoke with research expert Nikkia Reveillac, who shared her journey.

She was born and raised in Arima and went to Arima Girls' RC School, then St Joseph's Convent, St Joseph.

But having many relatives living in the US, she said her mother always "had it in her head" that she, too, would end up there to further her education. At age 18, after completing A-levels, she moved to Miami, Flo...

Entertainment.

Here are some samples of entertainment news and features 

T&T producers team up on new Wizkid, Rauw Alejandro single

NARIS­SA FRAS­ERA col­lab­o­ra­tion be­tween one of the world’s top Afrobeats artistes and a lead­ing Latin artiste be­gan in an apart­ment in Trinidad and To­ba­go. Lo­cal pro­duc­ers and long-time friends Michael “Tano” Mon­tano and Richard “MRI” Mc­Clashie teamed up once again for Wiz­kid and Rauw Ale­jan­dro’s lat­est sin­gle, Pon­go.Re­leased on Thurs­day, the three-minute track smooth­ly blends the cul­tures and mu­si­cal styles of both singers. Wiz­kid hails from Nige­ria and Rauw from Pu...

Full Blown blends old-school magic with new soca fire

“Ah lookin’ all through d’ par­ty! Ah hope ah find you dey!”These are un­doubt­ed­ly two of the most pop­u­lar lines for the 2026 Car­ni­val sea­son, cour­tesy of Full Blown’s hit song Re­spect­ful­ly Yours. Cre­ative­ly us­ing an in­ter­po­la­tion of one of Crazy’s (Ed­win Ay­oung’s) mega hits, Kevon and Ko­ry Hart tell a fun sto­ry that is echo­ing across the Caribbean. The track fea­tures live gui­tars and bass by Kyle Pe­ters and Joshua Richard­son,...

Christo’s Doux Doux Darlin: How a DM led to a Soca hit

If Jah­mike “Chris­to” Bonas had not gone on In­sta­gram on a par­tic­u­lar day last year, one of his best songs may nev­er have ex­ist­ed. It was a quick DM (di­rect mes­sage) to a pro­duc­er about a con­cept that even­tu­al­ly led to the cre­ation of Doux Doux Dar­lin — one of the sweet­est tunes for the 2026 Car­ni­val sea­son.The groovy track was pro­duced by Kit­wana “Ad­vok­it” Is­rael and writ­ten by Chris­to and Yung Seeche (Stephen Seecha­ran)....

Meet the man behind 2026’s most played soca songs

There’s a huge chance your favourite pow­er so­ca tunes for 2026 were pro­duced by the same per­son. In fact, many be­lieve he has per­fect­ed the “for­mu­la.” From Bun­ji Gar­lin’s Still A Road Man and Machel Mon­tano’s En­core, to Mi­cal Te­ja and Patrice Roberts’ Cap­i­tal, Xplic­it­Mevon (Mevon Sood­een) is pow­er­ing through the 2026 Car­ni­val sea­son.Mu­sic lovers have been prais­ing the Diego Mar­tin pro­duc­er for his work over the past few years. His cat­a­logue in­clu...

Inside the making of Cyah Behave

By now, the en­tire pop­u­la­tion knows what’s on Aaron “Voice” St Louis’ mind: Woman and woman and rum. His lat­est song Cyah Be­have is now among the 2026 Car­ni­val an­thems, and he has even hint­ed at en­ter­ing the Road March race. But the in­fec­tious tune’s jour­ney start­ed just one month be­fore its even­tu­al re­lease date. In fact, it did not even be­gin in Trinidad and To­ba­go. The in­stru­ment-filled, mid-tem­po tune de­scribes the ec­sta­sy felt dur­ing Car­ni­va...

Angelo’s ‘Encore’: 8-year-old gets dream performances with Machel

When eight-year-old An­ge­lo Gore heard about a com­pe­ti­tion for a chance to per­form with Machel Mon­tano, he be­gan re­hears­ing im­me­di­ate­ly. He grabbed a mic, had his fam­i­ly record him, and sub­mit­ted his en­try. And al­though he didn’t end up get­ting enough shares to win, the so­ca star still gave him a chance to touch two of the Car­ni­val sea­son’s biggest stages and “gih dem per­for­mance.”Mon­tano launched his MM En­core com­pe­ti­tion in Jan­u­ary, where par­ti...

Grenadian jab anthems spice up T&T Carnival

Af­ter dom­i­nat­ing Spice­mas in 2025, sev­er­al Grena­di­an so­ca hits are tak­ing over Trinidad and To­ba­go’s Car­ni­val cel­e­bra­tions. So it’s no sur­prise the artistes flew over to give au­di­ences a di­rect taste of their coun­try’s Jab en­er­gy. Some top tunes in­clude Jab De­ci­sions by V’ghn and Ter­ra D Gov­er­nor, Pay­roll by Mud­dy—which won Grena­da’s So­ca Monarch—and Lil Ker­ry’s Road March-win­ning banger, Bury All. Now-icon­ic lines like “Put d Jab Jab on a pa...

Tano’s blockbuster riddim scores big with soca heavyweights

Lo­cal su­per-pro­duc­er Michael “Tano” Mon­tano is back with an­oth­er groovy rid­dim set to take over the Caribbean’s air­waves. The Block­buster Rid­dim, fea­tur­ing GBM Nu­tron, Kes, Full Blown, Mi­cal Te­ja and Coutain, al­ready has the pub­lic buzzing.Tano told Guardian Me­dia he be­gan cre­at­ing the rid­dim some­time last year, but he didn’t go in­to the stu­dio ses­sion with any par­tic­u­lar con­cept or sound in mind. It start­ed with just a sim­...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Sizzla and friends spark musical flame at SoundForge - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SOUNDFORGE came alive with the sound of sweet reggae music on June 7 as Jamaican reggae legend Sizzla Kalonji (Miguel Collins) graced the stage with his friends at the One Love pop-up concert.

Several hundred fans came out, many decked in red, gold and green – the colours of the Ethiopian flag – including members of the Bobo Shanti and Nyabinghi mansions of Rastafari.

Clad in a khaki suit, Sizzla ran on to the stage to Show Us The Way with his energy already at 100 per cent. He was greeted by...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Bunji Garlin's Carry It: The creation of the ‘ground’ anthem - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

WHEN Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez first heard a beat sent to him by Stemz (Michael Ramroop S’obrian), he immediately felt the “raw, raw magic” that could only come from the grassroots. He told the producer: "Don’t try to imagine what this song will be. Because no matter what you imagine, that is not it.” He knew it was about to be something unexpected and impactful. And it was. And he carried it.

Carry It, his 2025 hit, features background vocals by Vernice “Trini Baby” Herreira and guitars by Ky...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Trini producers featured on FIFA 2021 soundtrack - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

TWO TT producers now have their names included in one of the gaming and sporting community’s most anticipated annual soundtracks.

Beamer by Nigerian artiste Rema, produced by Jamaica’s Rvssian and TT nationals Richard “MRI” McClashie and Michael “Tano” Montano is featured on the 2021 FIFA soundtrack.

The game was officially released worldwide on October 9 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. This year’s cover features French national and Paris Saint-Germain youth star Kylian Mbappé.

FIFA soun...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Doing D Dyam Ting: Nessa Preppy secures 'dream collab' with SuperBlue - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

"STOP! Enter the madness!"

Soca artiste Vanessa "Nessa Preppy" John and soca legend Austin "SuperBlue" Lyons have joined the Road March 2023 race with their track Dyam Ting.

The energetic and brass-filled song was produced by Johann Seaton and written by John, Lyons, Kern Rose and Kareem Thomas. It also features live brass by All Stars Brass.

Many people on social media have called the collaboration an unexpected one, which fuses old-school soca with modern soca.

Dyam is also an acronym for:...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Jamaica’s Keznamdi calls for Justice for Rastafarians in new music video - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

ALTHOUGH some level of love and appreciation for Rastafari culture can be seen at the surface of the entertainment industry, the movement continues to face discrimination and disrespect by the wider society very often. From modern-day instances of locs not being allowed at schools and workplaces, to being stopped and searched by the police, solely because of their hairstyles, their battle against the system is far from over. But they continue to fight – they continue to seek justice.

Jamaican r...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Fan performs Hard Fete with Bunji Garlin on stage: 'I will remember this forever' - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SHALLEIKA HAZELL is no stranger to performing on stage in front of big crowds. In fact, she even won the 2005 Junior Calypso Monarch competition.

But little did she know that in 2023, Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez would spot her in the audience singing one of his songs word for word and invite her to mash up a fete alongside him.

Hazell, a reliability engineer at Shell and a long-time fan of the viking, went viral on social media for performing Garlin's 2023 hit song Hard Fete – arguably one of t...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Jalifa the ‘Fyah Princess’ keeps reggae flame burning - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

MUSIC is a spiritual language to Jalifa. And reggae music, even more so. Skilfully combining her Rastafari livity and principles with poetic lyrics over roots and dub rhythms, the Fyah Princess continues to bring the heat.

Early musical inspirations

Born Kalifa Alexis, the 34-year-old Belmont native was raised in the Bobo Shanti faith with her eight siblings – four girls, four boys.

In an interview with WMN on June 12, she said since childhood, she “lived a very principled life.” Her father i...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Hard Fete producer recalls journey to creation of a soca hit - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

WHAT if you were told the beat of Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez's song Hard Fete was originally a riddim with several soca artistes? What if you were told he was not even one of those select artistes, originally?

One can always plan, but some things are just meant to be. Eventually, that riddim found its way to Bunji who did what he does best – he transformed it into a lyrically-brilliant, monster hit that is mashing up fetes across Trinidad and Tobago.

Written by Bunji, the track was produced by...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Full Blown strikes gold with Big Links Riddim - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

LOCAL songwriting/production duo Full Blown Entertainment (Kevon and Kory Hart) have struck gold once again – this time with their Big Links Riddim.

Featuring songs from themselves, Machel Montano, Kes and Yung Bredda, it is safe to say they are in good spirits as it continues to dominate Trinidad and Tobago’s airwaves.

Their catalogue includes a long list of hits.

For Montano alone, they wrote The Fog, Like Ah Boss, Junction, Vibes Cyah Done, Epic, Bottle of Rum, Mr Fete, Take It Slow, among...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Z U W E N A finds her calling in Christian music - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

AS the title of her debut single says, Zuwena “Z U W E N A” James-Bernard let go and let God. The 30-year-old Christian singer/songwriter, who is now an award-winning artiste, says she is both living her dream and fulfilling her purpose.

James-Bernard was born and raised in Pt Fortin and told WMN she has always been “very artsy."

“...And very creative, but yet still a bit shy.”

She always loved to sing, but during her time at the Point Fortin RC Primary School, she said she never let others k...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Jesse Royal promotes love, unity at Dubwise TT - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Grammy-nominated Jamaican reggae artiste Jesse Royal thrilled many during his second visit to TT at Dubwise on Sunday night.

Dubwise, a Jamaican event created in 2013, promotes and highlights reggae – primarily roots and dub – and has since been extended to the US, Ethiopia and TT.

The event was held at SoundForge, St James, and organised by the Wadada Movement.

Speaking with Newsday just before showtime, Royal said he's seeing progress in reggae music in TT as he's seeing more young artistes...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Machel and friends take soca to NPR Tiny Desk: A moment for every Caribbean soul - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SOCA music has made it to NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series.

Machel Montano and a group of talented musicians made history as they brought the Washington, DC, studio alive with the vibrant sounds of the TT-born genre.

The 20-minute concert was uploaded to YouTube on January 13 (images from the concert leaked online in late November 2024).

The Tiny Desk Concert series, which began in 2008, allows singers and musicians to give intimate live concerts. Many of its videos garner millions of views.

N...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Anika Berry Saddles up for 2025 Carnival season - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SO sweet!

Four years into her soca career, Anika Berry believes she has found her breakout song. Gracing the Tilden Hall Riddim alongside Machel Montano, Lyrikal, Yung Bredda, Voice and Motto, her tune Saddle is blazing trails.

The singer, who proudly calls herself “d sweetest berry” is from New York in the US, but her parents are from Trinidad and Tobago.

With songs like Ginger, Lash Up, Jammin, ATM and Romance, among others, she is gradually building her catalogue.

In a 2023 interview with...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Sadaeya combines music and positivity - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SADE “Sadaeya” Edwards’s personality is very bubbly, positive and outgoing.

It’s no surprise that the Quarry Village, Siparia, native hopes her music can similarly impact people.

She wants the messages in her music to be “heard, understood and received in a positive way.”

Her latest single titled Win addresses conquering life despite its challenges, which is what she also plans to do with her music career.

Edwards, 25, has always been dramatic.

She laughed as she recalled “stressing out” he...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Starting the Pardy: How the 2025 Road March was born - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

A producer’s laptop crashing, studio sessions exceeding six hours, a writer going back to the drawing board more than once – the creative team behind the 2025 Road March really did work hard and deserve a Pardy.

Producers Mevon “XplicitMevon” Soodeen, Kyle “BadJohn Republic” Phillips and songwriter Andre Jeffers teamed up with soca powerhouse Machel Montano to give revellers a musical stress reliever that took over the country.

Regular work day

It was last August that Soodeen created the beat...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Works to do: Queen Omega kicks off 2025 summer tour in Europe - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

OVER her 30 years in the music industry, reggae powerhouse Jeneile “Queen Omega” Osborne has learnt resilience and humility. Now basking in the pride of doing yet another European tour, she said she looks forward to “mashing up the place” with her band, The Royal Souls.

The 43-year-old San Fernando native is one of the genre’s most powerful voices – a voice that traverses the globe.

Her 2025 European tour kicked off on June 8 with a performance at the Outdoor Mix Festival in Embrun, France. Th...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Julian Marley calls for unity to help Mother Earth - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

"WHAT they do Mama Earth? Can't they see that she's hurt?"

Grammy-nominated reggae artiste Julian Marley, 45, says the planet is crying. And while he believes awareness of topics such as pollution and climate change is important, it is one's actions and efforts toward making a change that is crucial.

In his new track with fellow reggae superstar Junior Reid – Mother Nature – he addresses some of the things he believes is causing Earth to suffer, including bush and forest fires, deforestation,...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Tano assembles Kes, Coutain, GBM for Heroes Riddim - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

FROM the San Fernando studio of local hit-making producer Michael “Tano” Montano comes a team of soca stars with one mission: Fill the airwaves with irresistible melodies.

Packed with live instruments and featuring songs by Coutain, Kes and GBM Nutron, the Heroes Riddim already has the population grooving.

The credits include musicians Daniel Ryan (saxophone arrangement), Aaron Blenman (trombone), Charles Randy Williams (trumpet), Joshua Richardson (bass), Rhys Thompson and Modupe Onilu (live...

News features.

From crime and community woes, to human and animal rights, check out some of my news features

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

The influence, challenges of Trinibad music - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

RISE OF TRINIBAD MUSIC

TRINIBAD, TT’s spin on dancehall music, often addresses the harsh and violent realities of those who live in areas deemed ghettos.

The artistes behind the music and fans alike do not scorn the term "ghetto," as others may, though. In fact, they embrace it, proudly calling themselves ghetto youths.

Many TT artistes dabbled in dancehall for decades, but the rise of the Trinibad movement only began sometime in the 2010s.

What started as a genre scorned by mainstream media...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Ex-gang members: 'Spare the innocents' - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

IN Damian “Jr Gong” Marley’s 2014 hit Is It Worth It, he challenges gunmen about the value of their actions, questioning whether the harm and suffering caused are truly worth any perceived advancement in life.

He sings, “Tell me, is it worth it all if one don rise then a next must fall…if one child smile while a next one bawl (cry)?”

Many in Trinidad and Tobago ask these questions daily as escalating gang violence and related murders weigh heavily on their minds.

Names such as Sixx/6ixx, Seve...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

The enormous cost of election campaigns - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

CAMPAIGNING for a general election is not cheap.

It can cost more than the vehicle of your dreams, the vacation you’ve been yearning for or even a brand new house.

From branded T-shirts and hats to music trucks and TV/radio ads, millions are spent to influence voters’ decisions.

Current legislation (Representation of the People Act) allows candidates to spend up to $50,000 on their campaign. So if a political party is contesting all 41 seats and each candidate uses the maximum amount of money...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Vlogging gang culture in Trinidad and Tobago: Glorification or reality? - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

THERE has been an increasing trend of vloggers/YouTubers visiting Trinidad and Tobago to showcase gang culture and violence.

Typically, they visit areas deemed crime hotspots, saying their intent is to “show the good” despite the negative reputation. However, more recently, these videos have caught the attention of the police as civilians have been openly bearing firearms, saying they are in gangs and discussing their involvement in ongoing wars.

The public has been generally divided on this i...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Small islands, big voices – Caribbean voices unite at historic ICJ climate change hearings - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

A total of ten Caribbean countries highlighted the often devastating and deadly effects climate change has on the region at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Through powerful videos depicting flooding and destruction from natural disasters, along with heartfelt appeals from prime ministers and government officials, they conveyed a united message on the urgent need for action.

Earlier this year, a record-breaking 91 countries submitted written statements to the court seeking an advisory...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Price of progress: La Brea businesses hit hard as highway opens - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

THE community of La Brea was often busy – a benefit of being along the main route to and from San Fernando for those living Point Fortin and environs. Scores of street vendors selling fruits and vegetables, customers stopping for a sample, and long queues at the NP service station were common sights.

But as more sections of the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension to Point Fortin open, business has slowed drastically, even driving some to relocate.

On September 3, the 4km section of the highway be...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Opening door for service animals in Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

A man walks into a bar...with his service animal. The beginning of that sentence is pretty common in TT, but in its entirety, not so much.

In many countries, service animals are allowed into banks, hotels, restaurants, among other places. However, in TT, most businesses have no set policies.

Service animals – usually dogs – are trained to assist people with disabilities or diseases that can threaten their physical well-being. Miniature horses may also be service animals.

These trained and cer...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Animal cruelty under-reported in Trinidad and Tobago - 33 cases in five years - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

ANIMAL cruelty is a serious issue. In fact, it is a crime in TT. Yet, even with its severity, it is barely reported. Only 33 reports have been made to the police in the last five years – a number that in no way reflects the harsh reality. Just ask any animal-related NGO. Almost weekly, animals are chained outside without food or water, dumped in remote areas or even thrown out of boxes and plastic bags from moving vehicles.

So what’s the reason for this silence? Newsday spoke to activists, the...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Plane talk: Experts, parents discuss airline policies for people with special needs - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

OVER the last week, members of the public have been discussing and debating the dos and don'ts of how to treat people with special needs during flights.

This stemmed from a family's social media complaint about how Caribbean Airlines (CAL) treated their autistic three-year-old daughter.

Rishi Ramoutar took to Facebook to tell the story of the August 18 incident on flight BW1535 from Tobago to Trinidad.

Rayne is non-verbal/autistic and usually has no issues on aeroplanes.

However, just before...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Rastas on Marcus Garvey’s pardon: Welcome – but long overdue - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Members of the Rastafari movement, who consider him a prophet, have always maintained that Jamaican civil-rights activist Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr did no wrong.

And they believe his pardon by the US government – over eight decades after his death – proves that belief.

Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero, was a black nationalist. He moved to the US, where he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and inspired many later civil-rights activists in the US, including Martin Luther Kin...

Sports.

From exciting match reports, to athlete profiles and sports-related daily news, I've covered it all. Here are some samples.

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Keston Julien on 'dream' Champions League debut: It was a crazy feeling - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

FROM watching his favourite football club’s games on TV to playing against – and defeating ­– them at home in a UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage match, Trinidad and Tobago defender Keston Julien said it has been “a dream come true.”

The 22-year-old Gasparillo native made his UCL debut on Tuesday with Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol, stunning Real Madrid 2-1 in their Group D match at the Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain.

It was also his club’s UCL debut and it is the only Moldovan club to...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Levi Garcia cops double: AEK Athens win Greek Cup - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

"THE best way to finish a great season."

This is how TT's Levi Garcia described the feeling of copping his second piece of silverware this season with AEK Athens after winning the Greek Cup on Wednesday.

On May 14, AEK Athens won the 2022/2023 Greek Super League title after defeating NFC Volos 4-0. Garcia provided an assist to teammate Orbelin Pineda, in the 59th minute, for the third goal.

In an interview with Newsday, he said while it has been a "massive season" for him, it was not yet over...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Trinidad's Kedie Johnson signs with French football club Lille OSC - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad and Tobago footballer Kedie Johnson says she is grateful and excited to play top-flight football in France with her new club Lille OSC (Lille Olympique Sporting Club).

The Division One club announced the two-year signing on Tuesday, saying it is "ensuring the presence of a talented, young player who will have to acclimatise to a new culture and a new football.

"She can count on the presence of North American players to help her with her integration," it said.

Johnson has played with...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Spotlight on student athletes: NAAA boss, ministers learn from Jamaica - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

PROMISING athletes are slipping through the cracks in Trinidad and Tobago.

President of the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAATT) George Comissiong lamented this on Friday and called for local schools to play a bigger role in helping identify young talents in a similar way to how it is done in Jamaica.

Comissiong, Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe and Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly are in Jamaica as bilateral discussions on sports – especially at the school level – con...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Infantino: We kicked corruption out of football - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says under his leadership, the association has “kicked corruption out of football.” He said FIFA was “toxic” and served itself rather than football.

Speaking at FIFA’s 70th Congress on Friday morning, Infantino said the association has been reformed.

He said it will continue to fight against issues such as corruption, racism and match-fixing in the sport.

“We witnessed it (corruption), we saw it, we kicked it out. We will not let it come back.

“Match-fixing is...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Eight athletes shatter records on Day 2 of athletics - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

AS the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games continued on Tuesday, a total of eight athletes shattered records in their respective disciplines at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The games began on Friday and will end on August 11. Tuesday was day two of athletics and para-athletics

In the men’s 400m hurdles semifinals, TT’s Cheyne Michael earned an automatic qualification after placing second in heat one with a time of 53.05s.

He told Newsday the race was "smooth" and he didn't expect any less than qual...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Cudjoe: We all must encourage female athletes - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

MINISTER of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe believes everyone has a part to play to ensure female athletes in this country get more attention and respect.

She was speaking at the ministry's launch of the 2023 Pink Reign Campaign – a programme meant "to facilitate the development of women and girls by providing opportunities to increase awareness and participation in the key aspects of sport and physical activity." It was held at the Hilton, St Ann's on Friday morning.

Cudjoe said she created this campaign...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Volleyballer Sinead Jack-Kisal wins Polish Volleyball League with new club - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

AFTER defeating the covid19 virus, TT volleyballer Sinead Jack-Kisal earned yet another win as she helped her team, Chemik Police, defend its Polish Women's Volleyball League (Tauron Liga) championship title. Chemik defeated DevelopRes Rzeszów 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-15) on Tuesday.

The talented 27-year-old middle blocker said the achievement is an honour after such an intense competition.

She had previously represented Białystok, Poland (2010-2013) and VC Uralochka-NTMK, Russia (2013-201...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Ato voices concern for athletes’ mental state - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

FOUR-time TT Olympic medallist Ato Boldon says while physical training will undoubtedly be affected for athletes who were preparing for the 2020 Olympic Games, he is also concerned about their mental wellness.

Boldon, who is also a sprint coach and NBC sports analyst, was speaking on sports broadcast producer Don Cardona’s Sports in the Making podcast on Thursday. Cardona has worked with companies such as ESPN and NBC Sports.

When discussing the postponement of the Olympics to 2021 because of...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Defence Force’s Moore recalls winning first Pro League title - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

“Believe in yourself and believe in what you can do,” is the mantra of 23-year-old Defence Force footballer Reon Moore.

The winger has been playing the sport for approximately 15 years and began his senior, professional career in 2017.
He started off with North East Stars and eventually moved to his current club, where he was able to cop his first TT Pro League title in 2020.

It was the club’s fourth title as they ended the season with 42 points from 17 games (13 wins, three draws, one defeat)...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

‘We didn’t get to finish what we started’ - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

NARISSA FRASER

FORMER senior men’s national coach Stephen Hart says he is glad the court process for his lawsuit against the TT Football Association (TTFA) is over, but he believes the team did not get to “finish what they started” under his tenure.

At a High Court ruling, on Tuesday, Justice Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell ordered the TTFA to pay Hart $5 million for wrongful dismissal and unpaid salaries and bonuses. The TTFA offered no defence.

Hart took up the job of head coach in June 2013 bu...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Naps retain premier division crown - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

NARISSA FRASER

ONCE again, Naparima College were crowned Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division champions after maintaining a 14-match unbeaten streak.

The team won their final match,yesterday afternoon, crushing Queen’s Royal College (QRC) 4-0, at the St Mary’s Ground, Port of Spain to re-claim the title.

Kick-off was promptly at 3.30 pm with both teams getting off to a solid start. However, Naps’ number 17 Nathaniel Perouse took advantage of an early display of careless d...

Kids.

Here are a few of my stories about children 

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

K’Jhené, Nicky P's biggest little fan - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

AFTER falling in love with the game of cricket from watching matches on TV, four-year-old K’Jhené Francis wants to be an umpire when she grows up.

Proudly accepting the title of wicketkeeper/batsman Nicholas Pooran’s number-one fan, she recently enjoyed her first live Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 match and even got an opportunity to meet him.

Videos of the young Sangre Grande cricket fanatic watching CPL games at home went viral after her mother, Adriana Tinto, posted them to TikTok.

He...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

J’rell the birdwatching photographer - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

IF you need help identifying a specific bird, talk to J’rell Ellis. And if you need a nine-year-old photographer who takes lovely photos of them, talk to J’rell again.

Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and uncle, the Trinity Junior School student is now carrying the mantle.

J’rell is from Tacarigua and he told Newsday Kids it all began last year when his grandfather, Rory Ellis, took him to the Asa Wright Nature Centre in Blanchisseuse.

J'rell Ellis took this photo of a hummingbir...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Pierrot grenade siblings follow in mom's footsteps - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

BONSWA tout moun, bonswa tout moun (Hello, good day, everyone)! Gather round to learn more about siblings Kemoni and Keiani Newton – two of Trinidad and Tobago's youngest pierrot grenades.

The pierrot grenade is a traditional Carnival character, known for its brightly, multi-coloured garments and its witty wordplay.

The National Carnival Commission's (NCC) website says the character is "the supreme jester in Trinidad Carnival...and delights in displaying his knowledge and ability to spell any...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Chef Zarah shines on MasterChef Junior - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

ZARAH Spriggs has always enjoyed watching the Fox culinary series MasterChef Junior. But she never imagined that one day she would end up being a contestant and having the time of her life.

Zarah, ten, was born in the US to Trinidad and Tobago mother Leela Spriggs, who moved there as a teenager.

However, the Hunting Town Elementary School fifth-grader is very acquainted with her TT heritage, thanks to her family and through books, poetry, music and cooking.

Zarah Spriggs concerntrates on gett...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Golden girl Ricquel: 8-year-old shines at Carifta Gymnastics Champs - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Ricquel Marcellin loves gymnastics.

In fact, she recently earned five individual gold medals at the inaugural Carifta Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jamaica. Proud of her achievements, she says she is getting better every day.

She attends the Arima Girls’ Government School, and for gymnastics, Lee’s Gymnastics and Dance School.

Ricquel told Newsday Kids she first tried out the sport at age six. She said at first, it was kind of tricky.

“The first thing I tried was a back...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

David Durham overcomes trauma through music - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

DAVID DURHAM wants everyone to “find their spark,” as he believes it can get them out of really dark situations.

The 11-year-old hopes the story of how he found his “spark” – through playing the piano, which helped him overcome the challenges and trauma of domestic abuse – can inspire others.

At nine, David fled his home to live in a shelter with his mother, to escape abuse by another relative. He told Newsday Kids his earlier childhood years were “very bad.” He endured physical abuse and even...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

14-year-old dancer with Trinidad and Tobago roots tours with Mariah Carey - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

ALTHOUGH he was born in the US, 14-year-old dancer Philip PremDas IV takes pride in his TT heritage. From admiring and trying to mimic backup dancers in front of his TV as he watched broadcasts of Machel Monday, to touring with Mariah Carey in 2024, he is living his dream.

PremDas lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, and is a ninth-grade Blake High School student.

His paternal grandmother, Sharon Cherrie PremDas, is from Glencoe in northwest Trinidad.

He told Newsday there was “always music play...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Karan the builder: 11-year-old wins roof model building competition - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

KARAN Dipnarine loves building things. From designing buildings using Legos to crafting worlds in Minecraft, he allows his creativity to shine during his free time.

It was this creative ability which allowed him to place first in Roof System Ltd's art competition for post SEA students called Under One Roof.

The children were required to build a free-standing structure focusing on the roof. In addition, a one-minute long video had to be submitted in which the children told their story about the...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Torion keeps family’s steelpan legacy alive - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

TEN-YEAR-OLD Torion Titus is following in his family’s footsteps, keeping their legacy of playing the steelpan alive.

He is currently a standard three student at the La Horquetta North Government Primary School.

He started playing pan at age seven after being gifted one – a tenor – by his mother, Dianna Pierre.

Several members of his family have played steelpan “all over the world,” Pierre said.

They have also played for steelbands including Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, Phase II Pan Groove,...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Brothers open lime juice stand, donate $$ to animal shelter - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

WHEN life gives you limes, make lime juice! Maraval brothers Liam, eight, and Graeme Ramsumair, six, combined their love for dogs and juice by setting up their own lime juice stall, later donating the money earned to the Trinidad and Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA).

Liam attends Cornerstone Academy and Graeme, the Maple Leaf International School. They both love animals but their favourites are dogs. While they do not have any of their own, they are hoping to per...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Marcel paints Paramin blue - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

PAY d devil! Even the seven-year-old ones.

Marcel Marcano is keeping his family's tradition and Trinidad and Tobago culture alive with his portrayal of the blue devil.

He is the nephew of Steffano Marcano, bandleader of the Paramin group Next Level Devils Performing Arts and Cultural Group.

Marcel Marcano gets into character. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

The Paramin RC Primary School student told Newsday Kids he became interested in the character because of "uncle Steffy."

The blue devil is kn...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Jerimiah brings red dragon to life - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

FEARLESSLY parading through the streets of Port of Spain in shimmering red and gold fabric, here comes one of Trinidad and Tobago's youngest traditional dragons – Jerimiah-Khalil Daniel.

The nine-year-old standard three student eagerly hopes more young people continue to become interested in traditional Carnival mas.

Daniel, who attends the Crystal Stream Government Primary School, Diego Martin told Newsday Kids the dragon was not his first stint at traditional mas. He has also done sailor mas...

Women.

Powerful women. Powerful stories. 

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Inside the mind of Kamron Waithe, producer extraordinaire - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

There’s always an explosion of concepts and ideas in Kamron Waithe’s mind.

Even in casual conversation, she would begin discussing one thought, which may soon branch out into five.

But within this creative overflow, there’s some cohesion and structure: She knows exactly what she wants, what she's looking for, and how to bring those ideas to life.

This perfectly aligns with her roles as a film/TV producer, creative director, first assistant director, and digital content creator.

She has worke...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Kerissa Khan’s dreams take off: Trini engineer heads Royal Aeronautical Society - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

IT is a quiet day in the small, southeastern town of Rio Claro in Trinidad. A little girl named Kerissa Khan is playing outdoors, having the time of her life.

But then she spots some white trails across the sky and hears a thunderous sound. Is it a bird? No. Is it a plane? Yes. It is the Concorde, moving faster than the speed of sound, and little Kerissa is fascinated.

But who knew decades later, she would grow up to become one of the world’s leading aeronautical professionals?

Khan is now an...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Keshmani Dhaniram-Gosine leaves legacy of academic excellence at Gandhi Memorial - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

A 19-YEAR-OLD teacher walks into a classroom…and she builds a legacy.

Primary school educator Keshmani Dhaniram-Gosine has assisted massively in crafting a legacy of academic excellence at the Gandhi Memorial APS Vedic School in Aranguez.

From assistant teacher to principal, consistently developing students that topped the SEA exam along the way, she heads into retirement proud of her four decades of work.

Dhaniram-Gosine, 60, grew up in the quaint village of Avocat in Fyzabad with eight sibl...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Kimmy Stoute-Robinson, Trinidad and Tobago's cultural ambassador, advocate - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

KIMMY Stoute-Robinson eats, sleeps and breathes culture. Well, probably not literally, but the range of her expertise would lead you to believe so.

Throughout her life, she has been involved in dance and choreography, acting, stage management, costume designing and styling, directing and hosting. And with her decades of being immersed in TT’s rich culture, she sees herself as a cultural advocate and ambassador.

The 42-year-old grew up in Belmont and attended the Newtown Girls’ RC Primary Schoo...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Anika Berry Saddles up for 2025 Carnival season - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SO sweet!

Four years into her soca career, Anika Berry believes she has found her breakout song. Gracing the Tilden Hall Riddim alongside Machel Montano, Lyrikal, Yung Bredda, Voice and Motto, her tune Saddle is blazing trails.

The singer, who proudly calls herself “d sweetest berry” is from New York in the US, but her parents are from Trinidad and Tobago.

With songs like Ginger, Lash Up, Jammin, ATM and Romance, among others, she is gradually building her catalogue.

In a 2023 interview with...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Michelle Alleyne-Pennie raises the coaching bar - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

ATHLETICS has been a long-time passion for Michelle Alleyne-Pennie. So much so that she would sometimes trek all the way to Port of Spain from Mahaica, Point Fortin for training as a child.

But while she enjoyed competing, she also wished to contribute to sports in different ways – as a coach, technical officiator and administrator.

She now boasts a bachelor’s degree in sport for development and master’s in sport administration from the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and is a senior p...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Tinesha shows resilience while living with lupus  - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

IT’S 2023. Tinesha Gonzales-Gordon Woods is hospitalised. Her body feels so weak and her frame has become so frail that she does not think she’s going to survive. Her diagnosis? Lupus nepritis.

She prays, she cries, and she prays again. And she survives.

Today, she recounts that very triumph as she raises awareness about the chronic disease and supports others who are living with it.

Gonzales-Gordon Woods, 29, hails from Trincity.

In contrast to the public-facing, outgoing person she has bec...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Software engineer Akilah James showcases 3D-printed fashion collection - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad and Tobago designer, model and software engineer Akilah James is combining her passions to help pave the way for further advancements in the local fashion industry.

Experimenting with 3D printing and VR (virtual reality), among other things, she assures the aim is not for technology to replace artisans and their hard work, but to allow it to assist in the process.

James, 33, is the founder and CEO of BOSS [MOVEMENT], which she describes as “a visionary holding company, orchestrating a...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Love of music takes Sherisse Collymore stage front - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

SHERISSE Collymore has been in love with music since she was a child. She would gape in sheer glee at musicals like The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz on TV, hoping that someday, she, too, could become a singer. Now 30, having dabbled in calypso, soca and other genres, the lead female vocalist of Temperature the Band said her love for music remains paramount.

Collymore told WMN teachers at her primary school, St Peter’s Private Primary School in Gasparillo, recognised her interest in music...
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday •

Trini Baby honours brother's legacy - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

WHEN Vernice Herreira grabbed one of her brother's mics at two years old, she had no idea that 22 years later she would be known as "Trini Baby" the producer, singer and songwriter.

She has worked with major local artistes across different genres, among them Machel Montano, Taryll "Prince Swanny" Swan, Neil "Iwer" George, Rebecca Le-Ann "Tempa" Alexander, Nadia Batson, Aaron "Voice" St Louis.

Herreira told WMN it was owing to her "musical family" that she too fell in love with music at a young...

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