Written by: Jamel Grahame
The Ministry of Culture’s national talent search is no stranger to controversy. From its early advent, the programme has been lambasted with criticisms much of which was aimed at the judges selected for the show. However, this week more troubles rock the competition when the ministry announced via its social media page that the second of the two-semi-final leg would be postponed due to a coronavirus scare.
At the airing of the first semi-final, some socialites and influencers took to social media with usual qualms about the show. They had a serious concern about the covid protocols being observed. Previously featured Guyanese writer and Film producer Laured Stewart who has become somewhat of an unofficial authority, as regards to the competition, was vocal about the hosts not wearing masks nor practicing social distancing when interviewing contestants; it goes without saying he had his “I told you so” moment with the announcement.
However, there have been no reports to indicate that the coronavirus exposure was a result of laxity on the behalf of the organizers. In fact, according to the statement published on the Ministry’s page, the programme operates under the strictest of Covid19 protocols, and it’s only out of an abundance of precautions that the ministry decided to postpone the event.
In addition to the covid scare, the Competition is also trending as contestant Sherman Hawker took to social media with a bizarre tale of being named as a semi-finalist only to receive a subsequent call stating that he would not be advancing. Based on the story related by the young man, no explanation was offered for this decision leaving him perplexed and looking for answers. The story has caught the attention of many who are now calling for more above-the-board procedures going forward.
The National talent search competition has overcome many adversaries so far and the show must go on. We all hope that the organizers get a handle on these situations and the competition is concluded in a spectacular manner. The Hub takes this time to thank you our dedicated readers and urge you to stay tuned as we bring you more from this eventful competition.
Trinidad Dancehall And The Zesser Movement
By: Nekisha Cyrus‘Zesser’ a term that was initially coined and heavily associated with the Trinidad Dancehall community has now evolved into a movement. Today this movement, which was birthed within the streets of Trinidad’s ghettos is now making its way to some of the main stages, not just locally but internationally as well.
Read more ...Jab Jab, the mass of the downtrodden, the music of the simple man has now ascended into prominence and respectability on the carnival scene. Jab has been around since the origin of carnival, Jab Molassie in Trinidad and Jab Jab in Grenada.
Read more ...Now That Afrobeat Has Its Own Grammy Category, What About Soca?
By: Adela ScotlandNow that Afrobeat creators have the opportunity to win the prestigious award in their own category it begs the question why hasn’t Soca gotten its own category yet? Like Afrobeat, Soca has also been around since the 1970s and it is also a fusion of different rhythms and styles. It has also gained worldwide popularity within the last couple of years and there are artists who are talented enough and deserving of the accolade.
Read more ...Visual artist Andrea Mckenzie may now live in Atlanta, Georgia but her bold, stunning works of art remain infused with her Trinidadian roots and Caribbean culture.
“My family legacy and Carnival is my foundation. I come from a lineage of creatives”, …