Before the arrival of pop sensation Rihanna, the most successful Caribbean female artist was a certain Millie Small. Millie’s impact on music history cannot be overstated, as it was her recording of the international hit My Boy Lollipop in 1964 that ushered in the new genre of Ska and later Reggae. Millicent Dolly May Small […]
by Stephen Weir “The Carnival Winter Market and Parang Extravaganza is the work of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival,” explained the newly reconfirmed President of the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) Henry Gomez (aka King Cosmos). “We are providing the evening’s entertainment.” Hosted by the charismatic King Cosmos, the Parang Extravaganza features performances by some […]
The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) was founded in 2020 with a clear mandate to fill a crucial gap in Canada’s historical narrative to ensure the the rich and diverse musical heritage of Black Canadians. To that end, the CBMA launched a digital platform to preserve that remarkable contributions of Black musicians across various genres […]
By Stephen Weir We call him the Reacher Preacher, but everyone else in the GTA and the Caribbean knows him as Mr. Marvin Ishmael or Trini. Ishmael, a long-time Trinidadian Canadian author, actor, musician, playwright, director, and educator, is all that and more, but he is NOT a preacher. However, that might be about to […]
In a world where rising inflation threatens to dig deeper into our pockets, there’s one event that promises to rescue us from the financial squeeze. Lisa Cosmetics, a name synonymous with quality cosmetics and fragrances, is back with its biannual blowout sale. This year, they’ve outdone themselves by hosting the largest warehouse sale for cosmetics […]
In a thrilling development for reggae enthusiasts worldwide, the legendary Burning Spear, born Winston Rodney, has secured a nomination in the Best Reggae Album category at the upcoming 66th Grammy Awards for his latest masterpiece, “No Destroyer.” Released in August under the banner of Burning Spear Music Inc, this 12-track album is more than just […]
