Corie Sheppard Podcast

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Before the viral characters and sold-out shows, Majah Hype was an electrician in New York with a secure job—and a decision to make.

We sit down with Majah Hype to explore his journey through music, DJing and comedy, the Caribbean upbringing that shaped his characters, and why he chose to walk away from steady employment to make people laugh.

From learning seven instruments to finding his footing on stage, we hear about the work behind the humour, his relationship with his father, and what representing the Caribbean means to him.

The conversation also addresses public allegations against him and his response.

CONTENT & EDITORIAL NOTE
This episode contains strong language and discussion of domestic abuse allegations and sexual content. Majah Hype denies the abuse allegations. We have not independently verified his statements about the final court outcome or the status of his record. His account should not be understood as establishing that the allegations were false.

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What really happened when Helon Francis' Calypso Monarch performance was interrupted during the television broadcast? Was it a technical failure, something deliberate, or a controversy that exposed deeper issues within the calypso fraternity?

Two-time National Calypso Monarch and former Independent Senator Helon Francis joins us on The Corie Sheppard Podcast for a revealing conversation about calypso, politics, artistic integrity and his extraordinary journey.

For the first time on our platform, Helon speaks at length about the controversy surrounding his 2026 Calypso Monarch performance of “Doh Forget.” He shares how he discovered that part of his performance had not been broadcast, his reaction to the public outcry, and why he was disappointed that no official apology or explanation was personally communicated to him.

We also explore his views on the selection and judging of calypsonians, the challenges facing political and social commentary, and why he refuses to compromise his writing to satisfy anyone.

Beyond the controversy, Helon takes us back to growing up in Cascade, his family's calypso heritage, learning to write under George Martin, and studying music at university.

We also discuss his historic experience as a Calypso Monarch serving in Trinidad and Tobago's Senate, what independence really means in Parliament, and why he voted against the Property Tax Amendment Bill.

From the calypso stage to the Senate chamber, this is a conversation about culture, conviction, creativity and the responsibility of speaking for a nation.

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Get early access and extended episodes on Patreon.

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You know the songs. Now hear how they happened.

Kernal Roberts joins us to share the stories behind “Palance,” “Jumbie” and “It’s Carnival”—from an unexpected phone call and a melody inspired by Roman trumpets to a visit to his father’s statue that helped unlock a missing lyric.

The songwriter, producer and musician takes us through his journey as the son of the Grandmaster, Lord Kitchener, while building a musical identity of his own. We revisit school calypso competitions, his first paying gigs, touring with Traffik and the opportunity that brought him together with Machel Montano and Destra Garcia for a Carnival classic.

We also get into preserving Kitchener’s legacy, grieving his mother, AI’s place in music, friendly Road March rivalry and why even an experienced hitmaker can’t always predict which song will last.

Plenty history, plenty laughs, and the stories behind music that continues to bring us together.

🎧 Part 2 is available now on Patreon, where we continue the conversation.

Which Kernal Roberts song holds the biggest memory for you? Tell us in the comments.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Preview: The stories behind the hits
01:42 Intro & supporting the podcast
02:20 Meet Kernal Roberts
04:00 School days & calypso competitions
06:39 Keeping Lord Kitchener’s legacy alive
10:12 Remembering his mother & “Sugar Bum Bum”
11:28 Pelham Goddard’s contribution to the classics
12:10 AI, Suno & the future of music
17:02 Can you predict a classic?
18:47 How the “Palance” story began
20:06 Part 2 on Patreon
20:31 Writing “Palance” for JW & Blaze
26:34 When “Palance” took over
27:59 The Roberts family’s Road March legacy
30:20 Competing with Fay-Ann Lyons
32:28 Creating “Jumbie” & his father’s inspiration
42:37 Machel Montano & recognising a winning song
44:01 Being ready for your opportunity
45:14 Advertise with us
45:59 Living the rock star life
46:44 Leaving school & choosing music
48:35 Drumming, steelpan & his early opportunities
57:48 The opportunity to join Traffik
01:04:28 Years with Traffik & moving to Machel
01:06:42 Destra, friendship & finding his voice as a writer
01:08:57 Working with Charlies Roots & Superblue
01:12:12 “Tremble It”: The song they believed in
01:16:14 A disappointing follow-up & starting again
01:17:20 Turning “Time After Time” into “It’s Carnival”
01:19:22 Finding the right collaborator
01:20:10 Touring struggles & pitching the song to Machel
01:26:38 Bringing Machel & Destra together
01:27:23 Learning “It’s Carnival” on the road
01:30:40 What’s coming in Part 2

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You know the laugh, the energy and the songs. In this conversation, we get to know the man behind them.

Viking Ding Dong joins us for one of our most wide-ranging conversations yet, tracing his journey from Point Fortin and unpaid overnight radio shifts to touring with Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons—and taking the chance to build his own singing career.

He shares the preparation behind his performances, the stories behind “Outside,” “Horn” and “Drink and Party,” and why being seen as “a DJ who sings” gives him even more reason to prove himself.

We also get into selling roast fish during the pandemic, rebuilding his fitness, fatherhood and the emotional impact of his parents’ separation. Ding Dong speaks openly about how those early experiences shaped his relationships—and why his smile means much more than people realise.

Plenty laughter, honest reflection and a different side of Viking Ding Dong.

🎙️ Pledge on Patreon for the extended conversation and support The Corie Sheppard Podcast:
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Subscribe and tell us in the comments: what surprised you most about Ding Dong’s story?

#VikingDingDong #CorieSheppardPodcast #Soca #TrinidadAndTobago #CaribbeanStories

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For 20 years, Jules Sobion has helped shape some of the Caribbean's most unforgettable Carnival experiences through Caesar's Army. But behind the sold-out events, spectacular productions and international success is a business he describes as “the casino.”

In this revealing conversation on The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Jules explains why producing events is such a high-stakes business, the challenges of building Caesar's Army, and why he's now preparing to take the brand in an entirely new direction.

🎧 THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES ON PATREON

There's more to this conversation! Become a paid member of The Corie Sheppard Podcast on Patreon to unlock the extended interview and enjoy more of the stories, insights and moments that didn't make the YouTube release.

👉 Become a member here: https://www.patreon.com/c/CorieSheppardPodcast

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

From the early days of Radioactive, Players and J3 to building Carnival experiences across Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica and beyond, Jules shares the remarkable journey behind one of the Caribbean's most recognizable entertainment brands.

He recalls the excitement of Rihanna attending one of his events, the international expansion that brought Caribbean culture to new audiences, and the difficult lessons learned from event failures, public criticism and changing consumer expectations.

But this conversation goes far beyond Carnival.

Jules opens up about his father, former Attorney General Keith Sobion, who became his first investor, mentor and greatest influence. He reflects on losing his father in 2008, the importance of family, and how becoming a father himself has changed his perspective on life, business and legacy.

Now, after two decades of building Caesar's Army, Jules shares his vision for a Caribbean Army — a movement aimed at taking Caribbean creativity, culture and experiences to the world.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why Jules describes the event business as a casino
• The financial risks behind Carnival's biggest parties
• The rise of Caesar's Army and its reputation for exclusivity
• What event promoters can learn from failure and public backlash
• Why Caesar's Army is evolving into a Caribbean Army
• Stories involving Rihanna, Usain Bolt and international Carnival experiences
• The early days of Radioactive, Players and Trinidad's party scene
• How Keith Sobion shaped his son's business philosophy
• Losing his father, finding purpose and embracing fatherhood
• The future of Caribbean culture on the global stage

The Corie Sheppard Podcast is a trusted space for meaningful, Caribbean-rooted conversations that connect generations, challenge norms and uplift our culture.

Subscribe to the channel and join us for more stories from the people who shape the Caribbean and its diaspora.

Follow The Corie Sheppard Podcast: @coriesheppod

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#CorieSheppardPodcast #JulesSobion #CaesarsArmy #Carnival #CaribbeanCulture

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Angela Hunte helped write an anthem the world knows. Behind the music is a story of rejection, recognition, motherhood—and a health crisis that changed everything.

In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Angela shares the unexpected journey behind “Empire State of Mind”: writing it while homesick in London, its initial rejection, Lady Gaga’s interest, and why she believed Alicia Keys should sing the hook instead of her.

From growing up between Brooklyn and Trinidad to finding her place in the music industry, Angela takes us inside a career spent creating songs across genres, often away from the spotlight.

She shares the stories behind “Party Done” with Machel Montano and “Mon Bon Ami,” the encouragement she received from Kes when she considered stepping away from music, and the reality of balancing performing with a newborn at home.

In one of the conversation’s most personal moments, Angela opens up about major heart surgery, learning to walk and talk again, and finding renewed purpose through music, television and film.

In this conversation:
• Growing up between Brooklyn and Trinidad
• Ghostwriting, recognition and the business of songwriting
• Machel Montano, “Party Done” and motherhood
• Creating “Mon Bon Ami” in one take
• Kes and finding the motivation to keep making music
• The story behind “Empire State of Mind”
• Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Lady Gaga
• Heart surgery, recovery, faith and starting again
• Building a future in television and film

Subscribe to The Corie Sheppard Podcast, share this conversation, and tell us which part stayed with you.

#AngelaHunte #EmpireStateOfMind #TheCorieSheppardPodcast

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Already established in Saint Lucia, Teddyson John had to introduce himself all over again in Trinidad. “Allez” opened the door—but his story goes far beyond one hit.

Teddyson joins us to talk about teaching himself instruments, leaving school two weeks before his exams, and navigating the tension between his church upbringing and his passion for performing.

We explore the meaning behind “Allez,” the pressure to deliver a new hit every Carnival, his friendship with Kes, and representing Saint Lucia on the Tiny Desk stage. He also shares the vision behind his stripped-back concerts—and why an artiste’s entire body of work deserves to be celebrated.

A conversation full of laughter, faith, music and pride in where we come from. 🇱🇨

Enjoyed the episode? Like, share and subscribe to The Corie Sheppard Podcast.

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His father wanted him to become a doctor. Carl “Beaver” Henderson imagined that future—and realised he could be successful and still be unhappy.

He walked into his pre-med exam, handed in a blank paper and never went back.

This week on The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with musician, producer and pioneer Carl “Beaver” Henderson for a conversation about choosing your own path, challenging convention and helping shape the sound of Trinidad and Tobago.

Beaver takes us inside his sessions with Shadow and Lord Shorty, his unexpected first assignment producing Denise Plummer, and the early experiments that helped soca evolve. He also shares the remarkable story of Marlon Asher’s “Ganja Farmer”—from getting little encouragement from radio to finding an audience far beyond Trinidad.

We explore:
• Leaving medicine for music—and the rift with his father
• The lesson Shadow taught him about a “wrong” chord
• The Last Supper and his early band days
• Funk, technology and the evolution of soca
• Why he believes competition prizes can limit creativity
• The making and breakthrough of “Ganja Farmer”
• His account of early chutney soca experiments
• Why young creatives need opportunities and support

A conversation about trusting your instincts, staying curious and refusing to let other people define your future.

Subscribe and join us in the comments: have you ever had to choose between the life expected of you and the life you wanted?

Support The Corie Sheppard Podcast on Patreon for early access and extended conversations.

#CorieSheppardPodcast #CarlBeaverHenderson #Soca #TrinidadAndTobago #GanjaFarmer

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Behind Chucky Gordon’s smile and stage presence is a story of depression, self-doubt, and finding a reason to keep going.

Roderick “Chucky” Gordon joins us for an honest, funny, and fearless conversation about how the performing arts helped save his life, his search for his father’s attention and approval, and the journey to finding his own voice.

The two-time Calypso Monarch also opens up about the shock of missing the finals, the pressures of speaking truth to power, and why he refuses to compromise his convictions. From soca success to his signature “Jiggy Calypso,” we explore what it takes to build your own lane—and keep standing in it.

In this episode:
• Depression, healing, and finding community through music
• His father Roland Gordon’s influence and legacy
• The disappointment of being left out of the Calypso Monarch finals
• Politics, artistic freedom, and the responsibility of a calypsonian
• Soca hits, industry cliques, and reclaiming his identity
• Bringing calypso to a new generation

Subscribe, share, and tell us which part of the conversation stayed with you.

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#CorieSheppardPodcast #ChuckyGordon #Calypso #Soca #TrinidadAndTobago

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Justice Westmin James’ journey to the bench didn’t begin where many might expect.

Born in Morvant/Laventille and raised without significant financial means, he attended Mucurapo Junior Secondary, St James Secondary and Tranquility Government Secondary before eventually making his way to the Faculty of Law at The University of the West Indies, graduating with First Class Honours and later earning a scholarship to study at Cambridge. transcript-judging-in-the-real-…

Today, Justice James is a Judge of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago, a Judge on the Caribbean Community Administrative Tribunal and the IDB Administrative Tribunal, having previously served as a Judge of the High Courts of Belize and Barbados.

In this episode, we go beyond the titles and into the realities of life on the bench: the restrictions judges live with, security concerns, friendships and social media, unconscious bias, the intimidation of the courtroom and why justice can sometimes take so long.

We also get into one of the biggest changes facing the legal profession — Artificial Intelligence. Justice James reveals that people are already using AI to represent themselves in court and recounts encountering AI-generated “hallucinations” in legal submissions, which led him to address the ethical use and verification of AI in one of his judgments. transcript-judging-in-the-real-…

But at the heart of this conversation is a remarkable Caribbean story about opportunity, education, ambition and what can happen when someone is given a chance.

This is Justice Westmin James on The Corie Sheppard Podcast.

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