BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE year of 2011 seemed to be a steady one for entertainment as local promoters continually organized events to give a boost to our local industry. Local artistes including Infamus continued to release new music, while new queen shows were introduced. Regional artiste Vybz Kartel seemed to have been a major interest to the people of St. Kitts-Nevis as he was the most talked about entertainer each month.
JANUARY
In the month of January talks about Vybz Kartel arose as the question was asked whether he was taking bleaching too far? Kartel was said to appear ‘white’ when his present complexion was compared with his original one, and he was referred to as Mr. Cake Soap. Cake soap is a detergent soap that contains bleach.
In fact, Kartel has done a number of songs about his skin bleaching including ‘Cake Soap’ and ‘Gal Love Off Mi Bleach Out Face’.
The months of December and January are celebrated as the months of National Carnival in St. Kitts and Nevis. In January there was much talk of Small Axe Band’s ‘Rum Song’on Parade Day while Konris Maynard’s ‘Unstoppable Force’ caused some controversy when he won the Road March title as many felt that the winner should have been one of the bands.
FEBRUARY
Some of St. Kitts’ ‘Most Glamorous Women’ were given recognition. The listed women included entrepreneurs, models, a teacher and attorneys.
Vybz Kartel made the news again, this time it was reported that he was banned from US radio for Black History Month because of his bleaching habit.
During February Buju Banton was also found guilty of cocaine charges.
MARCH
Two teenage girls were crowned in the month of March - Ngozi Nicholls was crowned Miss Back to Roots and Monique Johnson captured the Miss Basseterre High School title.
The Lightz Out band were said to be back on track and even added a new member.
APRIL
April saw the first of two pageants, the first ever Miss Black San Swimsuit Competition and the first ever Mother’s Day Beauty Pageant.
The town of Sandy Point came alive with the successful hosting of Black San Bang-A-Lang, the community’s revived festival which features folklore, calypso, pageantry, parade of troupes and J’Ouvert.
After the murder of local DJ and son of the Police Commissioner, local artistes did tribute songs in his honour.
MAY
Local video producer Tru Cap received an award for Nicha B’s ‘White Sheet’ music video by a Nevis based group.
St. Kitts was back in the regional pageant scene when Sudeakka Francis won the Miss Caribbean World title in Tortola while the St. Kitts Music Festival revealed their lineup and also introduced their MF (Musical Festival) Girls.
JUNE
June is the month of the annual St. Kitts Music Festival, and for the 15th anniversary patrons saw performances from Fantasia, Jah Cure and Maxi Priest.
A Miss Green Valley contestant also made the news after she showed poor sportsmanship by throwing away her gift and storming off the stage when she lost in the pageant.
JULY
The month of July was successful for National Carnival Queen Iantavian Queeley who instilled pride within the people of the Federation when she captured both the Miss Carnival and Miss Jaycees titles. Those crowns have not been on a Kittitian or Nevisian’s head for quite some time and not only did she win the Miss Jaycees but captured not one, not two but all of the judged segments.
AUGUST
Reggae crooner Jah Cure tied the knot this month with 27-year-old TV Host/Producer and a past contestant in the Miss Jamaica World Pageant.
Local artiste Infamus sent a hard-hitting message in a music video release named ‘Cry from the Ghetto’ which was described as one of his best productions in recent times.
SEPTEMBER
In September the Miss Universe crown returned to the African continent when Miss Angola captured the prestigious title. Vybz Kartel also made the news again this time with his television show ‘Teacher’s Pet’ debut.
During this month it was also announced that Shannon Hawley Deputy Chair of Carnival would be the new Chairperson.
Infamus also recorded a song in tribute to Kim Collins and the rest of the relay boys who placed third in the World Championships 100M finals in Daegu.
OCTOBER
The month of October saw one of the biggest concerts in recent times when the Stitch in Time Concert featured Lady Saw, Alaine, Tanya Stephens, Cecile, Queen Ifrica and local female acts.
Sugar Mas 40/40 was launched with high expectations of non-stop partying and the six lovely ladies vying for the title of National Carnival Queen were revealed.
NOVEMBER
After Vybz Kartel was arrested on murder charges the question was asked whether his absence was affecting the dancehall world as some suggested.
Local artiste Kashman of Sandy Point made a buzz with his catchy lyrics and slangs, specifically “Stop Play”.
There was also a lot of Carnival buzz in the air as calypsonians released songs including Ali Dee’s ‘With or Without You’ and Rock-A-Fella’s ‘Stay in you Lane’.
DECEMBER
40/40 Sugar Mas Carnival was celebrated throughout December but topping the news in Entertainment for December was the story about a former National Pageant runner-up, who was charged for alleged BB theft.
Kalia Huggins accomplished one of her goals by being crowned the National Carnival Queen 2011/2012 while 40/40 J’Ouvert was declared a blast.
