fbpx

Luna: Empowering Women Through SOCA Dance & Revolutionizing Female Self-Confidence

In the vibrant world of Soca music, where rhythm and energy reign supreme, one dancer does more than just move to the beat. Melika Gillard, affectionately known as Luna, is on a mission to transform the way we think about dance. She’s not just teaching steps, she’s building confidence, creating spaces for women to embrace their sensuality, and celebrating Caribbean culture on a global stage.

Luna’s journey is a powerful story of empowerment, one that encourages women of all ages and backgrounds to explore their bodies and express themselves unapologetically through the art of dance. Known for her electrifying stage presence and infectious energy, Luna’s “Winin Szn Dance Intensive” is one of the cornerstones of her work. Hosted every Thursday in January and February at the stylish XIV Lounge Rooftop in Port of Spain, this class has become a sanctuary for women looking to build confidence and strength through movement. The class combines Waistline Technique Training, dynamic dance combos, and a high-energy Wine+Sweat workout designed to break down barriers, both physical and emotional.

Luna’s philosophy is clear: “Dance isn’t just about movement—it’s about empowerment. I want every woman who comes into my class to feel seen, celebrated, and powerful. It’s about creating a safe space to express themselves freely and embrace who they are.”

The appeal of Luna’s approach is undeniable. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, the Winin Szn classes are accessible, engaging, and designed to
help women from all walks of life feel empowered. It’s a space where the focus is on personal growth, joy, sensuality, and not perfection. Luna encourages her students to let go of any inhibitions, tap into their unique rhythm, and discover a deeper sense of self-love and confidence.

But Luna’s influence isn’t limited to Trinidad and Tobago. Through her innovative online platform Socaclass.com, Luna has taken her classes to women across the globe. From Waistline Technique to Wine+Sweat and Choreography, her online courses make it possible for anyone, anywhere, to experience the joy and empowerment that comes from Soca dance. Her upcoming BAM BAM SZN course, which focuses on strengthening and toning the booty, promises to be both a fun and effective way for women to build confidence and feel stronger in their bodies.

In just a few short years, Luna’s impact has grown exponentially. Her Winin’ School Tour, which has already touched down in 15+ countries, has reached over 1,500 women, offering them a chance to learn and grow through Soca dance. In 2025, Luna will embark on her most ambitious journey yet, touring five continents and over 40 countries to spread her message of empowerment, culture, and freedom through movement.
“I want to inspire women to celebrate who they are, both in their dance and lives. Soca is about joy, pride, and confidence. When women feel good in their bodies, they feel good in their lives.” Luna says.

Luna’s dedication to dance as a tool for empowerment has also earned her a place in the spotlight. She’s been featured in The Greatest Bend music video, which has racked up over 4.3 million views on YouTube, and she regularly performs as part of Machel Montano’s HD dancers, captivating audiences at major events and festivals.

However, it’s her work behind the scenes that truly sets Luna apart. Through her classes and online platform, she’s offering women the chance to connect with their
bodies, break free from societal constraints, and step into their power. Luna has become a role model for countless women who are looking for more than just a dance class—they’re looking for a community that fosters self-expression and confidence.

In 2025, Luna is not slowing down. With plans to collaborate with both local and international partners, she aims to build spaces where women can safely express
themselves without fear of judgment or limitations. Her goal is simple: to create a world where women can dance freely, feel powerful, and embrace their authentic selves.

“As a Soca dancer, I’ve learned that it’s about so much more than just the moves. It’s about feeling free in your body, embracing your sensuality, and owning your power,” Luna reflects. “That’s what I want to share with every woman who dances with me, whether online or in person.”

With her sights set on a global movement, Luna continues to use dance as a tool to inspire, uplift, and celebrate women everywhere. As she prepares for her biggest tour yet, one thing is clear: Luna is not just a dancer—she is a force of empowerment, leading women to find joy, strength, and confidence through Soca.

Mical Teja’s “MAS The Experience” A Fantastic Step Forward For The Prince Of Soca

Mical Teja’s MAS The Experience is a fantastic step forward for one of Soca’s brightest rising stars. The fete took place at the Hotel Normandie, an intimate location perfect for connecting with the crowd and building his audience. The event drew a primarily mature crowd in tune with Teja’s brand of soulful soca.

Mical Teja, entrance to the stage was befitting of a Young King. Dressed in all-white with golden embroidery, the prince of soca and his entourage of masquerades created a fanfare in homage to him the current Road March King. He began his set with a performance of “HIGHER POWER,” the rhythmic beating of the drums and accompanied by his dancers building anticipation for his first act. He performed hits like “DNA” and “ENERGY,” as well as collaborations like “MAS” with Freetown Collective and “RIDDIM” with Coutain, who both joined him on stage for renditions of the songs.

Mas The Experience enlisted a mixture of fledgling artists as well as industry giants such as Nadia Batson and Kes, who each served up their 2025 hits, “Coffee”, and “Cocoa Tea” respectively to the delight of everyone at the venue. Other notable acts were Full Blown with their 2025 banger “Good Spirits,”  Farmer Nappy with “Blessing, and GBM Neutron with “One Piece” and many others.

Other memorable acts were Viking Ding Dong who got the crowd to ripple in laughter complaining about “catching cramp” from his tight jacket as he performed his 2025 monster hit “Throw Back” and Yung Bredda’s “The Greatest Bend Over” had the venue resounding with the refrain “Take it easy,  I will do the work.”

The night revealed Mical Teja’s depth as an artist, entertainer, and host. Unlike many soca artists today, he is well rehearsed, sings his songs in tune from beginning to end, and does not rely on the recorded track playing in the background.

Indeed, the theme for the night was collaboration, as many acts came out to speak on Teja’s character and Teja himself brought out Brian Mac Farlane to thank him for believing in his vision and producing the event. For his first event, Mical Teja made use of his short discography and his collaborations to put on a show that was an ode to sweet Soca music.

Nailah Blackman Shone Like A Diamond At Sokah Origins B. A. D.

Nailah Blackman’s Sokah Origins cements her excellence as a performer as she put on a fantastic show that felt like both concert and fete but with all the vibes. This year’s theme B.A.D (born a diamond) felt appropriate given the slew of dazzling performances throughout the evening, culminating in an exercise in brilliance by the soca princess.

The show kicked off an hour and a half later than the advertised 5 pm, but soca artiste Oh.Xone showed off a new song “Attitude Problems” while urging the crowd to check out his new music. The crowd was hyped up by the antics of Major Penny before the list of better-known soca artistes graced the stage.

Some of the highlights include Pumpa from the US Virgin Islands. He stood out with his beard dyed fluorescent green and electric presentation making use of the entire stage as he got the crowd raving.

The crowd’s response, especially the ladies, was thunderous as Lyrikal monopolized the stage. He sang “Dotish” which uses the Tilden Hall rhythm. Lyrikal put on a clinic in crowd engagement, inviting an audience member to the stage who gave the freest, duttiest wine of her life to the amusement and surprise of the crowd.

Voice started his set with his Carnival 2025 release “Retro ,” and urged the audience from the South to represent. He transitioned into “Penthouse” and “Out and Bad” before jumping into both the VIP and General sections during “Too Own Way,” sending the crowds wild as they tried to buss a wine on the soca star.

Nailah united with her family on stage with “Endless Vibration,” a vivacious duet with her aunt Marge Blackman, before joining Isaac Blackman later for a rendition of “Om Shanti Om” who ended the set with timeless classic “To The Ceiling” which sent the crowd into a spree.

Nailah was the shining diamond of the event, giving multiple performances and having multiple changes in attire which included a gorgeous but risque deep blue dress. Nailah showed her mastery as a physical performer, keeping pace and leading the charge of her backup dancers while managing clean vocals. She remarked that the ladies weren’t getting on “bad enough” before inviting a few audience members on stage to mash up the place. And mash-up they did, as they sent the crowd into a frenzy with some professional throw-waist.

Toward the end, Soca icon Sherwin Winchester was invited on, but the set had to be cut short as the event had gone over the allotted time due to the late start. Nailah concluded the show with an acapella rendition of “Come Home,” her sincere and mesmerizing vocals cutting through the crowd as the venue began to shut things down.

While not a “wine and fling it up” kind of event, the audience, especially the VIP section, grooved throughout the night, dancing, chipping, wining and ‘palancing’ to match the vibe of the music and performers. If it was your first fete for the season, it was money well spent.

Carnival 2025 Starts This Weekend With Soka In Moka & Sokah Origins

With the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays falling mid-week, the festivities have been staggered somewhat as Carnival 2025 events invigorate the longest season in and for many years to come. Early events such as “Day One” and “1st Jam” attracted scores of eager fete lovers to the Normandie Hotel and Hasely Crawford Stadium venues respectively on January 1 with various boat rides and cruises happening almost daily since then and smaller niche events such as the “Fete”

On Sunday, January 5, the real action kicks off with Nailah Blackman’s annual concert event, Sokah Origins (subtitled B.A.D. – Born A Diamond) dazzling and vibrating across south Trinidad from 4 to 11 pm at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy; Paradise – The Secret Garden will be held in the west together Soka in Moka which still stands as the only one with multiple live bands and performers now celebrating 25 years as the official Carnival kick-off event.

Viking Ding Dong booked to perform at both venues

Former Trinity College vice principal and Chair of the Event Organising Committee, Janice Richards highlighted the commitment and love for community and college shown by the school, its teachers, and students over the years in a media release, which also reminds patrons that this staple carnival event returns to the school’s outdoor court area after two years held at St Andrew’s Golf Course nearby.

“Plans for this year’s celebration include décor in commemorating the joy we feel as a community having hosted this event for as long as we have,” said Richards, adding the surprisingly longstanding plug that: “With tickets priced at $900, Soka in Moka is presently the most affordable premium all-inclusive carnival fete in T&T.”

According to Richards, the Soka in Moka All Inclusive has proven to be the school’s most successful fundraiser over the years, aiding substantially in maintaining and refurbishing the facility.

“Our largest expense was in 2015 when we spent $300,000 to paint the school’s exterior,” she revealed. “Over time, we have raised money from this event that has gone toward refurbishing the basketball court, implementing our school’s security system, outfitting our computer lab, repairing our administrative restrooms and now, we will work towards upgrading our security system at the school.”

Like clockwork, the energy of the carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago is making its grand entry this Sunday with Sokah Origin, and the Soka in Moka event will feature an all-star DJ cast, alumni performers, and major artiste including Patrice Roberts and the A-Team Band, Raymond Ramnarine and Dil-E-Nadan The D All Starz Band with College Boy Jesse, Viking Ding Dong, Zan, Mical Teja, Blacka Dan, Teddyson John, and Olatunji Yearwood will also perform at Sokah Origins.

Take your pick or try to sample them all, but Carnival 2025 comes alive this weekend and will continue for the next 8 weeks with increasing intensity as we chip on toward The Greatest Show on Earth come March 3rd and 4th 2024.

Soca King, Machel Montano Says No To Soca Competition!

Five-time Power and two-time Groovy International Soca Monarch Winner, Machel Montano believes that the time for competition has passed and that more collaborations are needed to take Soca music to greater heights. Montano was asked about the recent announcement of a new Soca competition coming on stream for Trinidad Carnival 2025, while at the official launch of the Pineapple Riddim held at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad on Wednesday morning.

The veteran entertainer took his time to respond, starting with the quip:
“What gets you here wouldn’t get you there! Ahm, there is a desire by some people to go back: to go back to the glory days of the Soca Monarch competition, but in life, we doh get to go back. We only go forward. I must commend Mr William Munro for his contribution, so give him a round of applause.
“In my humble opinion, Soca Monarch has done a lot for us as artistes who were rising, but in this time of MONK – The Movement of Now Knowing, we need to know what we need to do now and in my humble opinion instead of competing against each other, we need to collaborate more.”

The Pineapple Riddim marks the first-ever partnership between Dwayne “DJ” Bravo’s 47 Productions and Machel Montano’s Monk Music and features powerhouse artistes: Machel Montano (“Wah We Doin”), Patrice Roberts (“Tun Up”), Lyrikal (“Carnival Meeting”), Rupee (“My Kinda Gyal”) and rising star, Ronicia “47Ronzy” Joseph (“Come Here”). A release from Crystal Clear Solutions given to media at the event stated that “the riddim delivers a fresh yet nostalgic sound, blending groovy Soca with irresistible Carnival energy”.

Montano referenced the rise of Afrobeats and Reggaeton music, which are both comparable to the sound and speed of Soca, and advised “in his humble opinion” that our focus needs to be on making Soca a global product. He said:
“I don’t personally feel we need a competition right now to take us to where we need to go. It will happen organically again at some point, but right now we have Afrobeats becoming the most popular music in the world and it sounds like Soca. Afrobeat is right behind Reggaeton music, which is doing some of the biggest numbers in the world with artistes like Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and others – and it sounds like Soca! So what are we missing to take our music to the next level?
“We need to focus on making Soca music a global product.” He advised, answering his own query. “Beyond the competition, we should be focusing on the quality of our music; the quality of our writing; the quality of our marketing, and most importantly, the quality of our message – to inspire the young people, to inspire the nation and we know that where two or more are gathered in HIS name we can accomplish a lot.”

Montano joined Bajan bard, Rupert “Rupee” Clarke; Cricket Icon, Dwayne Bravo; US-based talent, Devon “Lyrikal” Martin, and rising star, Ronicia “47Ronzy” Joseph. Joseph was discovered via Bravo’s digital app investment, Collab,r and is being managed by him also. Soca Queen, Patrice Roberts is also featured on the riddim, but was out of the country and sent a short video recording which was played at the event. The launch attracted a number of industry professionals, stakeholders, and media personnel and featured pineapple cocktails by Verve Creations for Angostura White Oak, as well as tasty edibles by Shafek’s Catering and an open bar courtesy Armando Bar Services, LED and graphic printed promotional tees, luminous signs, digital screens and trendy decor by Strictly FX. Montano and Bravo engaged in a friendly arm wrestling contest refereed by acclaimed producer, Kevin “Stadic” Charles to close the event and the elder singer defeated the younger cricket star and was knighted as the new “Champion” by attendees in reference to Bravo’s hit single of the same name.

Vybz Kartel Spreads Christmas Cheer In Trinidad

Dancehall King Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer has partnered with American Stores and the ‘Help Me Help You Foundation’ in Trinidad to bring some “Christmas Cheer” to the people of T&T. From 1 pm on Friday, December 20th, about two hundred persons in need of appliances, toys, and even some foodstuffs came to the St James branch of American Stores on the corner of Agra St and Western Main Road where over $100,000 worth of merchandise were distributed.

While recently in Trinidad to launch his business collaboration with Angostura Limited, Palmer visited American Stores to implement this charitable initiative and commissioned Ornella Luces and her ‘Help Me Help You Foundation’ to organize and manage the philanthropic effort.

“I get nuff love everytime I forward Trinidad. Mi feel like it was only right I do something for my people here. Trini people love Vybz Kartel & Vybz Kartel love Trini people. So mi link with Amir from American Stores fi do a giveaway of some appliances and things on my behalf to show some love and appreciation. Nella coordinated and managed the rest of everything and its in full swing!” Palmer said.

Persons in need of appliances and other items were required to sign up and participate in a brief interview via phone or messages to be eligible. The Foundation’s committee did their due diligence to ensure that those most in need and deserving were the ones receiving the assistance from the initiative.

Chair of the ‘Help Me Help You Foundation’, Ornella Luces said her organization will also be giving stuff to some of the orphanages and needy homes and welcomed other corporate and charitable organizations to get involved and share with those who are less fortunate. She said:
“This was all his (Kartel) idea, as we normally do some charity around this time but not on such a large scale. However, I was happy to manage it for him and Amir Maybodi, who is the Managing Director of American Stores Ltd. gave me the money to get all these other things and we managed the screening process online via our social media pages”.

“Kartel has been a family friend for many years so I’m happy to help him with this worthy endeavor and looking forward to helping the people who really need it in these tough times.” she went on to say.

 

Mical Teja is Caribbean Entertainment Hub’s Soca Artist of 2024

Caribbean Entertainment Hub names Mical Teja Soca artist of the year. In the annals of soca, 2024 will long be remembered as the year that Mical Teja lifted his head above the clouds and entered that elite space of soca royalty. With the biggest soca song of the year, ”DNA,” he won the coveted Roadmarch title, became the Young Kings, was a Calypso monarch finalist, and the song was played by one of the panorama winners and several other steelbands.

A prolific songwriter and producer who has written and produced hits for some of soca’s greats like Machel Montano, Kevin Lyttle, Kerwin Du Bois, Kes The Band, Shurwayne Winchester, and Patrice Roberts’ “Mind Your Business”; and has popular collaborations with Ding Dong (“I Horning First”), Nailah Blackman (“Dingolay”), and Freetown Collective (“Mas”). Mical Tejal has been flying under the radar for a while, ascending the ladder of popularity and success with each passing year. In 2022 “Dingolay”, in 2023 “Hall of Fame”, and ” Mass Come Again”. And in the year under review, Mical’s mega hits “Runaway” and “DNA” prove that he is one of the genre’s musical geniuses.

In 2024 not only did Mical’s songwriting skills blossom as in “DNA” and “Runaway” but so did his performing attributes. His much-improved stage presence and story-telling had him commanding large audiences in all the major carnivals in the Caribbean and North America. He had them jumping, waving, dancing, and singing along with nostalgia “Noo Place Like Hoome Hoome, Hoome”, and identifying with Loraine on her ‘Runaway’ from cold New York to sunny festive Trinidad.

In 2021 in one of our E-Hub weekly Live shows, we had the pleasure of interviewing Mical Teja where his inner strength, confidence, philosophy, personality, and the musical path he was taking to the top was revealed. So it is no surprise to Caribbean Entertainment Hub that three years hence Mical is at the apex of Soca. We recommend that you take a listen to this gem of an interview as Mical opened up himself and let his eloquence shine.

Kes 2025 Carnival Release “Cocoa Tea” Topping Charts and Streaming Platforms In The Caribbean and Beyond

Kes’ first release for Carnival 2025, “Cocoa Tea” has topped the US iTunes Reggae chart and several streaming platforms, charts, and playlists in countries all around the region and the US. The song was released on November 15th just before the band of brothers from south Trinidad embarked on their third annual US East Coast Tour. As the tour rocked packed venues in Montreal, Boston, Philadelphia; Silver Springs, Maryland; Norfolk, Virginia; Raleigh, North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia from November 24 to December 5, the lyric video for the song on the band’s YouTube channel skyrocketed to 1,000,000 views in the first two weeks as the song got added to thousands of streaming playlists.

On Sunday, December 8th, Ineffable Records President, Adam Gross posted an update detailing statistics showing the song’s mainstream appeal and interest growing rapidly in less than a month and without an official music video.

“Cocoa Tea came out three weeks ago and the numbers that it is doing are unprecedented for any Soca record and are the best numbers any Kes song has ever done out the gate, as it looks to hopefully be the biggest Kes record of all time!” He enthused.

“The song has three million plays including 1.9 million on YouTube over 400 000 on Spotify and almost 500 000 on Apple Music. On YouTube, it is still doing over 125, 000 plays a day without an official music video. It’s number three on Toronto’s local pulse Spotify chart and sits at the top of Shazam charts in 20 different places.”

Written by Kees Dieffenthaller, hit producer, Michael “Tano” Montano, and Reigning Trinidad and Tobago Road March King/ songwriter, Mical Teja, with background vocals by Tano, rising star, Denzil “Coutain” and Terri Lyons, Gross added that:

“Cocoa Tea” is currently number one in Trinidad, Guyana, Antigua, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, the British Virgin Islands Dominica, and Anguilla among several other countries it’s in the top 10 streamed songs as well. The song is going viral on Tik Tok where it has been used in 66,000 different videos including 32,000 using the original sound. All of that together bringing in 61 million views on the song on Tik Tok,” he listed.

Patrons at an East Coast Kes Concert

Patrons at a Kes US East Coast Concert

Sincerely giving thanks to all the band’s fans and many supporters after the YouTube video hit 1,000,000 views in just one week, lead singer, Kees Dieffenthaller recalled a time when Kes was not a household name across the Diaspora, back when the band struggled to even get airplay in their home base of Trinidad and Tobago. He said:

“Real views. A million views, two weeks!

“Yuh know ah remember de days when we used to get a lotta trouble to get even airplay, so I give thanks for the day to see this. Thank you for the support, thank you for the love of the song and yo, this is the mission: we’ spreading this to the world, thank you very much!”

The band will celebrate its 20th anniversary at their annual Carnival Festival Experience entitled “IZWE 2025”, which is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25 at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. The band released limited pre-sale tickets online on Monday, November 18 via their websites, kestheband.com and izwefestival.com. Follow @kesofficial on TikTok and @kesthebandofficial on Instagram for the latest updates.

 

 

Photos by Jono Hirst from Kes’ 2024 East Coast Tour performances

 

Adam O & GBM Nutron Team Up For Epic Collaboration: “Last Dollar”

Two powerhouses in the soca scene, Adam O and GBM Nutron, have joined forces for what fans labeled a highly anticipated collaboration, Last Dollar. Written by Adam O and GBM Productions, and produced, mixed, and mastered by GBM Productions, the song is a vibrant blend of authentic energy and creativity.

“This collaboration has been a long time coming,” shared Adam O. “GBM Nutron is a legend whose unique approach to music pushes boundaries. The process was seamless and organic, and I’ve learned so much from working with him.”

GBM Nutron echoed the sentiment: “Adam’s artistry and vision made this project effortless. Together, we created something authentic and full of energy—a true reflection of our passion for music.”

Last Dollar is a testament to the duo’s synergy. Recorded at GBM Studios and brought to life through their shared dedication to the art form, it has an infectious energy and is set to ignite playlists and dance floors worldwide.

Stream Last Dollar on all major platforms.

Vybz Kartel Billed to Perform In Trinidad On Carnival Friday

One Caribbean Music wishes to advise the public that Adidja Palmer aka “Vybz Kartel” is billed to perform on Friday February 28th, 2025, as part of a Caribbean musical cast at a signature event entitled the “One Caribbean Music Festival” in Trinidad & Tobago.

This Carnival Friday event features a stellar cast of superstar performers from across the region representing 80% Soca and 20% other genres of musical performances.

The One Caribbean Music organization consists of a group of individuals with a deep love for all Caribbean music. We are following the long tradition of well-loved events that have invited performers from all over the world to participate in the greatest show on earth.

Caribbean music continues to captivate the world, and its influence continues to grow, and we are excited to be a part of its growing popularity and even more elated to share with Trinidad & Tobago.

We further advise that the recent video being posted to social media platforms with Vybz Kartel’s confirmation that he is performing in Trinidad & Tobago on February 28th, 2025, is NOT an official video released by the event organizers. We understand that our fans are excited to share the news.

The event will be launched officially in the coming weeks as our cast is confirmed, and we will share all the relevant information on the full concept and cast in the coming weeks. Rest assured that Soca music will be represented by the best of T&T and the Caribbean for Carnival