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The 2025 Caribbean Music Awards makes its television debut on BET, and we're breaking down every moment from our dual perspective as both live attendees and television viewers. This milestone broadcast marks a crucial step forward in recognizing Caribbean artists on mainstream platforms, delivering a carefully edited showcase of Caribbean excellence.

Dyschick joins me to compare our in-person experience at Brooklyn's King's Theater with the television broadcast, revealing what made the cut and what didn't. We dive into standout performances, particularly praising the energetic opening from Elephant Man and Ding Dong, and the dynamic staging of Full Blown, Machel & Ayetian and Good Spirits that transformed the stage into a Caribbean block party. Busta Rhymes' powerful acceptance speech emerges as a highlight, perfectly articulating why Brooklyn during Labor Day weekend serves as the ideal backdrop for celebrating Caribbean musical achievement.

Fashion takes center stage in our conversation as we celebrate the stunning looks that graced the red carpet. From Nyla Blackman's elegant dress paired with a carnival-inspired backpack to Lady Lava's structured ensemble, Caribbean artists showcased their distinctive style.

Looking toward future ceremonies, we advocate for broader representation across the entire Caribbean, including more French and Spanish-speaking artists, enhanced production values, and stronger participation from sponsors, particularly Caribbean tourism boards and brands who should recognize these musicians as their most powerful cultural ambassadors. Join us for this celebratory yet thoughtful analysis of a landmark moment for Caribbean music on the global stage.

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Produced by Breadfruit Media

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Resilience defines Tifa's journey through the music industry, and her return to the Style and Vibes podcast after five years showcases an artist who has not only survived but thrived through evolution. We discuss changes that have shaped her career since we last spoke—from navigating a global pandemic to celebrating a Grammy win with Kabaka Pyramid, and finding her voice again with her powerful new single "I Want a Man."

We dive into Tifa's writing process as she explains how her songwriting has remained remarkably consistent since age 15. Rather than writing solely from personal experience, she crafts stories from observations, emotions, and the collective experiences of women, creating music that resonates far beyond typical dancehall themes. "I Want a Man" exemplifies this approach, the song became a voice for women navigating complex relationship dynamics and societal expectations.

Her triumphant performance at Alkaline's New Rules Concert marked a definitive statement about her enduring relevance in Jamaica's music landscape. Despite industry attempts to sideline her, 15,000 fans singing her lyrics word-for-word confirmed what she's always known—authentic artistry outlasts social media manipulation.

As she maps out her future with multiple albums spanning different genres, Tifa's vision extends beyond personal success to contributing to the legacy of Caribbean artists who have achieved international recognition.

What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is Tifa's candid reflections on the value of stepping back. In an industry that demands constant visibility, her strategic break allowed her to reconnect with herself, relearn the evolving social media landscape, and fall in love with music again. For anyone feeling burned out or seeking reinvention, her journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom about balancing authenticity with strategic evolution.

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Produced by Breadfruit Media

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What does it mean to truly connect cultures through music? GabSoul, the self-described "eclectic selector," offers powerful insights into this question as she shares her journey from basement parties to international stages.

Growing up between Trinidadian and Guyanese heritage in New York, GabSoul absorbed musical traditions from her DJ father's extensive record collection while developing an instinctive understanding of party dynamics from attending gatherings since her early teens. Despite initially being told "girls don't DJ," she found inspiration in emerging female DJs during college and eventually convinced her father to share his technical knowledge.

The conversation explores what makes GabSoul's approach distinctive—her ability to blend genres seamlessly, creating musical journeys that reveal connections between Caribbean sounds, R&B, soul, and various African diaspora traditions. She articulates how combining technical precision with feminine intuition creates a unique energy, allowing her to take risks that more traditional DJs might avoid. "I love anything soulful with a good groove," she explains, describing how she connects disparate genres to tell stories through her sets.

Beyond her technical skills, GabSoul's community-building initiatives stand out. Through events like "We Ting," "Auntie's House," and "Riddim and Soul," she creates spaces that embody Caribbean hospitality while celebrating music that often gets overlooked in mainstream venues. These platforms serve her deeper mission of helping people connect with cultural heritage while breaking down artificial barriers between diaspora communities.

We discuss GabSoul's reflection on her purpose: "To spread love and be an example of love." As she navigates the music industry with spiritual grounding rather than purely transactional relationships, she offers wisdom about staying present, practicing gratitude, and remembering that authenticity isn't something to strive for, but is something already in our possession if we're brave enough to embrace it.

Listen now to discover how music can bridge worlds while staying true to its roots, and why sometimes the most powerful selector is the one who remembers why we gather to celebrate sound in the first place.

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Produced by Breadfruit Media