by Curlan Campbell
- “Bag Ah Sugar” by Shem Bernard “Terra D Governor” was only track by Grenadian artist on list for Caribbean–American Heritage Month
- “Bag Ah Sugar” captures true essence of Grenada
- Spicemas press trip provided media with firsthand experience of Grenada’s vibrant culture during and after Carnival
The global music streaming platform TIDAL continues to celebrate Caribbean–American Heritage Month by releasing a curated selection of 35 songs from artists hailing from the Caribbean. Among these songs, the 2023 hit single for Spicemas, “Bag Ah Sugar” by Shem Bernard “Terra D Governor” was the only track by a Grenadian artist that appeared on the list.
TIDAL has officially released a list curated by Tenille Clarke, a highly acclaimed public relations specialist and Managing Director of Chambers Media Solutions in Trinidad and Tobago.
Clarke mentioned that Gissel Alvarez, a Digital Marketing Specialist at Tidal from the Dominican Republic, contacted her to create the list because of her efforts to help Caribbean music artists gain more global visibility. “I listen to “Bag Ah Sugar” at least once a week. It is one of my favorite Soca songs, not just from Grenada but in general,” Clarke told NOW Grenada. “I believe the song captures the true essence of Grenada, especially after experiencing Jab during Spicemas.”
The full list on Tidal’s website also includes songs from across the Caribbean, spanning various genres such as traditional dancehall, soca, reggae, and songs that blend neo-soul with a jazzy feel, combined with Caribbean rhythmic elements.
“It was certainly a feat! Our music industry is filled with incredible talent and diversity. These songs are a general representation of my personal musical taste, and reflect the contemporary offerings of our promising Caribbean creative landscape,” she said.
Having established herself as a publicist, she has had the opportunity to work with esteemed brands and high-profile personalities, including Julian Marley, Scilla Owusu (who made it to Forbes 30 Under 30), and the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA). Clarke stated that she is fully devoted to increasing the exposure of innovative young talents and providing support for women and other marginalised communities in the business sector, both locally in the Caribbean region and on a global scale.
“Curating this list is a part of Tidal’s efforts to connect and amplify the voices and music of the Caribbean,” she said. “So under this Caribbean-American Heritage Month initiative, Caribbean artists will directly benefit from streaming visibility to the platform’s millions of users. And in the music industry, numbers is king.” She added, “The list was placed in my personal listening order, meaning that I wanted to curate an audio experience that really gave people a sense for the way I listen to music, which is to ebb and flow.”
Clarke carefully curated her selection to include songs that cater to both English-speaking Caribbean, French- and Spanish-speaking audiences. With public feedback, she is hoping to expand on the list with Tidal in real-time. “My aim was to ensure that every part of the Caribbean was included. I wanted to represent all the way from The Bahamas in the north to Trinidad and Tobago in the south, not just the English-speaking demographic where I am from. There were some songs that I wanted to include, but didn’t make the list. I hope to have the chance to add more songs based on public feedback. I want this to be a community effort,” she explained.
Clarke, along with her business partner Melissa Noel, worked with local organisations such as the GTA to organise the Spicemas press trip. The goal of this initiative is to host members of the media from the US, UK, Canada, and the Caribbean, providing them with a firsthand experience of Grenada’s vibrant culture during and after the Carnival. The aim is to showcase the destination’s authentic cultural offerings to international media members and content creators.
