The Caribbean islands tend to be the go-to location for your exotic getaway vacations. They’re known for their beautiful beaches, delicious foods, and relaxed energy but too often people are disregarding the immense impact Caribbean culture, especially music has on the world.
Musicians like Bob Marley, Sean Paul, and of course the bad gal herself, Rihanna have helped to put Caribbean culture and music on the map; however, it is clear that the masses aren’t realizing how deeply your favorite artists are influenced by the talented Caribbean artists even in present day. CEO of Pretty Boy Worldwide, Trevor Pretty has been working tirelessly to bring Caribbean artists to the forefront as the talent these islands hold is insurmountable. From April 22 to April 28 Pretty invited a select group of media, individuals in the music industry, and musicians to the Pretty Boy Experience. All guests were required to take a Covid test and present negative results prior to arrival in the country as well as mandatory check-ins with the St. Martin government virtually once there.
The Pretty Boy experience included a four-day showcase in the beautiful island of Sint Maarten highlighting artists from a variety of Caribbean islands. Guests of the experience were also treated to various extracurricular activities so that we could properly enjoy all that the island has to offer. The experience started off with a bang as guests were whisked away on a Boomerang charter to an undisclosed location. We arrived at a private welcome party at The Rusty Parrot where we were introduced to the musicians of the showcase as well as the minister of tourism, Ludmila de Weever. Pretty Boy Worldwide CEO, Pretty welcomed attendees as he explained how crucial it is that we support the islands and what better way to support the islands than to invest in and support the artists in these islands. Every year thousands of tourists rush to the Barbados to see and take pictures of Rihanna Drive where you can find the house that superstar Rihanna grew up in. Although the singer hasn’t lived there in almost a decade, her music and popularity keep fans eager to visit this sought-after location. That is the power of music, that is how music and tourism collide.
To kick off the showcase Bajan singer and newest member of Pretty Boy Worldwide, DWN set the tone for the trip with her soulful voice and larger-than-life presence. It was only right that her showcase be held at The Red Piano, one of St. Maarten’s most famous nightlife locations. The singer is known for her signature red hairstyles and with the sultry red backdrop of the venue, the audience was ready for a fiery show. DWN is a powerhouse when it comes to vocals however, she knows when to tone it down and even play a little with the crowd. She sang several songs covering topics of love, heartbreak, and a crowd favorite, men not being sh*t. The Bajan artist also brought out singer Kenyo Baly for a hypnotic duet as well as Marwin from the collective, Taste of Pluto. From the loud cheers and smiles around the room, I’d say it was the perfect beginning of the Pretty Boy showcase experience.
Singer DWN of Pretty Boy Worldwide Performing at The Red Piano during the PBW showcase in Sint Maarten
After a day of lounging at the Royal Palm Beach Resort and soaking up the sun at Mullet Bay Beach, guests were ready for night two of the Caribbean artist showcase. Night two took place at Casino Royale, the largest gaming emporium in Sint Maarten. This night was all about Sint Maarten singer and songwriter, Kenyo Baly. But before we could get to the main act, the feisty Cuban-born/Jamaican raised singer, Arii Lopez woke the crowd up with her intoxicating performance. Lopez owned the stage and crowd as she charmed attendees with her cheeky humor surrounding being the toxic one in the relationship and not being shy about her needs and desires in a relationship. The seamless transition to Kenyo Baly’s performance was the perfect way to wrap up the female perspective into Kenyo’s take on love, relationships, and good vibes. The Sint Maarten native is undoubtedly one of the most diverse artists out of St. Maarten. His sound is unique, smooth, and oozing humble confidence. His carefully choreographed performance uplifted the crowd, giving us no choice but to groove with him. As he continues to grow his craft, there is no doubt, he is one to watch for.
Singer Kenyo Baly of Pretty Boy Worldwide Performing at Casino Royale during the PBW showcase in Sint Maarten
With half of the experience in the bag, guests of the exclusive trip were eager to see what next was in store. Be sure to check out our recap of the second half of the trip at The Knockturnal and catch up with the featured artists of Pretty Boy Worldwide on Instagram at DWN @dawnielux, Marwin @marwinpbw, Arii Lopez @ariilopezpbw, and Kenyo Baly @iamkenyobaly.