Have you been bitten by a soucouyant? Did you meet a largahoo while coming home late one night? Does Papa Bois spoil your shot every time you go hunting in the forest? Whether or not you have narrowly escaped being fatally seduced by La Diablesse, with her one cloven hoof and alluring perfume, David Kalloo’s latest book, Jumbie in Town, is sure to keep you amused. The folklore of Trinidad is rich and mysterious and David is our knowledgeable guide to the creatures of the night that lurk in old houses or wait for their next victim to cross a bridge. David’s childhood fascination with these exot ..read more

Soca and calypso are two of the most iconic and entrenched music genres in Trinidad. For the past 40 years these cultural gems have been popularised around the globe by the soca artist such as the prolific Machel Jesus Montano. To learn about the incredible four-decade journey of this celebrated icon, fans need only turn to his biography, authored by none other than his mother. King of Soca was written by Elizabeth ‘Lady’ Montano, who has been present at all the major stages of her son’s career. The biography was officially released on 26 July, 2022 and details the ups and downs of Machel’s ca ..read more

Machel Montano has launched his eagerly awaited book, The King of Soca. The tell-all biography takes us inside the life and 40-year musical career of the soca superstar. The author is “the ultimate insider” – his mother, Elizabeth ‘Lady’ Montano. The launch was hosted by Facebook’s head of diversity, Maxine Williams, on 26 July and shared via YouTube, Facebook and CNC3. Joining the man himself, Machel, at the launch were Farmer Nappy, Penelope Spencer, Keegan Maharaj and other entertainers. The King of Soca is available now at bookstores in Trinidad or via www.kingofsoca.com. The post Machel M ..read more

Multi-award-winning entrepreneur Nefateri Asantewa, whose Black greeting card company was established in 2008, added the title, Author, to her bow (including being a mixed media artist and Live blood analyst) when she launched her new children’s book in October. Soca News attended the launch and book signing of Nubian Fairies: A Secret Paradise on Saturday 4th November, in London. Children could dress with fairy wings and colour the new book’s characters. Some parents took the opportunity to indulge and discover their inner child before purchasing exclusive signed copies of the new book ..read more

Nailah Blackman, soca songstress and granddaughter of the late Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman), venerated soca music pioneer, has diversified into children’s books. Set to take young readers on a captivating journey through Blackman’s childhood memories of her first carnival experience is her upcoming release, Love Lah Lah. Compiled over the past three years, Blackman’s inaugural children’s book is a testament to her dedication to preserving the culture and music, and her grandfather’s enduring legacy. Love Lah Lah is a delightful tale revolving around Blackman herself as a young girl. Throug ..read more

The premier of Dr Yansie Rolston’s Our Menopause was held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London on 29 May. The short film, by award-winning filmmaker Nicola Cross, was a tool for data collection using active conversation. The 20-minute piece features a group of Black British women talking frankly and movingly about their experiences of the menopause, during a weekend away together. The women hail from various parts of the UK, with roots across the world, from Guyana to Ghana. They are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, there was even an octogenarian, all sharing their stories openly and h ..read more