I was born in Trinidad and raised on Bob Marley’s music. Back in 2010, I wrote this homage that still is so true: When I was a toddler, my dad spent time in Jamaica studying for a master’s degree. When he returned, he brought what seemed like Bob Marley’s entire record collection with him.Uprising. Natty Dread.Burnin’. Survival. Rastaman… read all

Picture this. 1994. A young Afrobella is living in Trinidad, still in high school, and watching videos on BET and MTV every day. One day the video for Patra’s Romantic Call comes on the television. “My property is my property!” declares a stunningly beautiful black woman with thick braids sprouting from her head like a… read all

If you don’t know the name Beres instantly – much less the man’s first and last name – this story won’t mean much to you. If you’re unfamiliar with Beres Hammond, let me put it into context. That’s like me posting about meeting Al Green, or Ronald Isley, or dare I say, Stevie Wonder. Beres… read all

  What’s the hallmark of being an icon in your musical field? If your voice is instantly recognizable, if you’ve got at least three hit songs that just about anyone who hears your name will know immediately, if your name is mentioned in another song by other musicians in different genres to add credibility to… read all