Something different unfolded this year in the Junior Panorama calendar. Instead of the usual staggered schedule, both the Under‑19 and Under‑21 categories held their finals together on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. The Schools' Panorama Finals are still scheduled for Monday, January 19, but the youth bands showcased their talents a day earlier.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Under‑21 Youth Panorama Finals — Invaders Youth Steel Orchestra Takes the Title—NJPFU21
Something different unfolded this year in the Junior Panorama calendar. Instead of the usual staggered schedule, both the Under‑19 and Under‑21 categories held their finals together on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. The Schools' Panorama Finals are still scheduled for Monday, January 19, but the youth bands showcased their talents a day earlier.
Monday, January 19, 2026
Ricardo " Daddy Chinee" Melville: It's Showtime
Ricardo “Daddy Chinee” Melville: A Voice Without Borders—@Kerice Pascall.
Ricardo “Daddy Chinee” Melville stands as a true symbol of versatility in the Trinidad and Tobago music industry. Known for his seamless crossover across Soca, Chutney Soca, Reggae, and Soca Parang, Daddy Chinee has built a career that transcends genre and geography.
Born in Tobago and raised in Trinidad, his musical journey began at just 13 years old. By 18, he stepped onto the professional stage, debuting at the Toco Composite High School graduation ceremony—an early sign of the powerhouse performer he would become. Over the years, his voice has carried him across the Caribbean, North America, and Europe, with performances in countries such as Barbados, Guyana, Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Daddy Chinee’s career is marked by collaborations with some of the region’s most respected bands, including the Roy Cape Allstars, Sound Revolution, Jah Vibes, Melobugs, T&Tec Gayatones, Trishul, Dil-E-Nadan, and his own former band, Hipnotic. He is currently a featured member of RG The Band, led by Rishi Gayadeen.
What truly sets Daddy Chinee apart is his passion for live performance. He thrives on the energy of the crowd, describing the exchange between performer and audience as the heartbeat of his craft. That connection—raw, electric, and genuine—has earned him admiration at home and abroad, cementing his place as a respected and enduring force in Caribbean music.
For 2026 Daddy Chinee has Released
- She Gone—Daddy Chinee & RG The Band
- D'Goddess—Daddy Chinee & RG The Band
- Barrackpore Wedding—Daddy Chinee x Neeshad Sultan
- Together —Daddy Chinee & TG The Band
You can catch Daddy Chinee at the Kaiso Showcase, which will be open.
Empowering Caribbean CreativesSmall Conventional Steelband Finals 2026: Southern Stars & Uptown Fascinators Tie at Skinner Park
- Southern Stars Steel Orchestra (D'South Band)—Let Us Build A Nation Together—283 Points
- Uptown Fascinators Steel Orchestra—Band From Space—283
- Golden Hands—All Aboard—278
- Tunapuna Tipica Steel Orchestra—The Party Hot Hot Hot
- T&TEC New East Side Dimension—Water De Garden
- Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra—All is Yours
- Fusion Steel Orchestra—Signal for Lara
- Fascinators Steel Orchestra—Both of Them
- Road Block Steel Orchestra—Guitar Pan
- Alpha Pan Pioneers—Take Me Home/Panasonic Connection—Drunk and Disorderly (Tie)
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Live from the Calypso Tent—Kaiso Karavan Standout: Ninja’s Pensioner’s Anthem Wins the Crowd
Live Calypso Tent Performances from Trinidad's 2026 Carnival: The performances, the laughter, the stories and the energy of Calypso 2026. Our first post from the tent features a song that went from a Christmas Parang vibe to a beloved Calypso favorite for 2026: we present the live performance of "Pensioner's Anthem" by Ninja.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The Dance Calypso Comeback: Yung Bredda’s "The Messenger" Ready to Mash Up Calypso Fiesta
Yung Bredda will mash up Calypso Fiesta at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on February 7, 2026. His song, "The Messenger," conveys a message of self-belief, resilience, and the importance of learning from the past and ancestors. The music is uplifting, the lyrics are positive, and this song is the kind of Calypso that will have the crowd going wild; it features music to dance to, conscious lyrics, and a vibe that demonstrates how good calypso can be.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Genisa “NISA” St. Hillaire: Elevating Music, Ministry, and Media
By: Kerice Pascall
Chalkie’s Spirit Lives On in Kernal Roberts’ Bad Lucky Me
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Permission for the Pic — Helen Drops a Wicked Double Meaning
Pensioner’s Anthem — Ninja Celebrates Retirement with Style
It's a challenge to keep up with the constant stream of new calypso releases, but we are getting there!
The accompanying music is infectious with sweet backing vocals by Shanice Preston. The song was produced and arranged by Damion Preston of DDI Productions and performed by Kenson "Ninja" Neptune. This one is a tune-up banger for those experiencing the golden years.
It’s a reminder that retirement isn’t resignation and when you grow old, you don't grow cold! Instead, consider it a second youth, a time to dress up, wind low, and remind the world that experience comes with style. Ninja’s delivery is both humorous and empowering, turning social commentary into a party—and making it clear that pensioners still run the show.



















