Corie Sheppard Podcast

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In this deep and wide-ranging conversation, we sit with Erphaan Alves — artist, songwriter, performer, and one of the most influential voices shaping modern soca. From his earliest days as a child performer in Chaguanas, to writing for giants like Machel Montano and Kes, to creating anthems like Bumper Like Rain, Overdue, No Abla, Background, and Spirit, Erphaan charts the full story of his journey in a way he has never shared before.

We explore his upbringing, the impact of his parents’ sacrifices, his father’s pivotal role in his career, and how early interactions with icons like Bunji Garlin, Scrunter, Blaxx, Shal Marshall, Peter C. Lewis, Tambu Herbert, and others shaped his path. EA also breaks down the inside stories behind his biggest records: how Bumper Like Rain sat for years before release, how Overdue was born during a difficult period, and how No Habla became a year-round anthem and a symbol of his “no seasons” philosophy.

He explains what the industry used to be, what it is now, and why soca must move beyond its Carnival dependency. We talk childhood competitions, the pressures of Junior Monarch, writing over 40 songs in a year, navigating disappointment, creating timeless grooves, and building a loyal fan base outside the season.

Erphaan also shares bold insights on identity, influence, spirituality, artistry, musical education, and the evolution of Trinidad and Tobago culture — with powerful reflections on legacy, discipline, humility, inspiration, and staying true to himself.

Topics Include:
– Growing up around Calypso & Soca legends
– The influence of Bunji Garlin, Shadow, Kitchener & Scrunter
– EA’s father’s role, sacrifices, and guidance
– The story of EA’s early start, competitions & mentorship
– How writing hit songs opened industry doors
– In Your Eyes, Bumper Like Rain, Overdue, No Abla, Spirit, Background
– The creative process: melodies, inspiration, destiny & discipline
– Why “No Seasons” is vital for soca’s future
– Building Team EA and his own cultural ecosystem
– Navigating fame, pressure, expectations & evolution
– EA’s views on purpose, influence, authenticity & growth
– Behind-the-scenes stories with Machel, Kes, Shal, Blacks & more
– Calypso vs Soca, legacy, education & Caribbean identity
– The deeper meaning behind Mas Go Play and EA’s storytelling

This episode is a masterclass in artistry, discipline, culture, and the journey of a modern Caribbean creative.

Click the link in my bio for the full episode.
#coriesheppardpodcast #ErphaanAlves #soca #trinidadandtobago #caribbeanculture #podcast

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Dominic Kalipersad joins us for a reflective, insightful conversation on communication, journalism, professionalism, language, and how Trinidad and Tobago is adapting to new media in the 21st century.

With 50 years across television, radio, print, and now digital platforms, Dominic shares what he’s learned about speaking with clarity, communicating with purpose, and educating through media — from his early days as a teacher, to TTT, to radio, to his long-form Instagram storytelling.

We explore how traditional media has changed, why social media must now be taken seriously, the role of language in identity, and how young people are engaging with history in new ways. Dominic also opens up about newsroom culture, mentorship, innovation, handling criticism, and why good communication still matters in every part of our lives.

This episode moves from professional lessons to national memory. Dominic reflects on major moments in T&T’s media landscape, including newsroom evolution, the shift in public expectations, and what it means to remain grounded, informed, and adaptable in a rapidly changing communication era.

Whether you’re a communicator, student, journalist, or simply someone who values thoughtful conversations about our country, this episode offers timeless lessons in clarity, confidence, and growth.

Key Topics

• Adapting to new media and digital platforms
• Communication and professionalism in everyday life
• How traditional and social media intersect
• The role of language in identity and understanding
• Teaching, mentorship, and lifelong learning
• The evolution of journalism in Trinidad & Tobago
• Young people, curiosity, and historical rediscovery
• Media responsibility, storytelling, and public trust
• Personal experiences across radio, print, and television
• Building confidence and presence on camera

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Adonai Dieu — formerly known as Daniel Loveless, the creator of the viral Caribbean street show “What Yuh Know”— joins us on The Corie Sheppard Podcast for a powerful, transparent, and transformational conversation.

In this episode, we explore his full journey:
• Growing up and building one of the Caribbean’s biggest digital brands
• The rise of What Yuh Know and the pressures of fame from age 17
• Identity, purpose, mental health, and the emptiness that success couldn’t fix
• His public name change to Adonai Dieu
• Why he walked away from his old life and old identity
• Becoming a devout follower of Jesus Christ
• The spiritual shift that changed everything
• What’s next for him, his platform, and his mission

This is one of the most honest and deeply human stories we’ve shared — a conversation about transformation, faith, reinvention, and the courage it takes to start over.

Watch/Listen to the full episode now.
Click the link in my bio for the full conversation.

#coriesheppardpodcast #AdonaiDieu #DanielLoveless #WhatYuhKnow #Transformation #Testimony #FaithJourney #CaribbeanPodcast #CaribbeanCulture #DigitalCreators #Purpose #Reinvention #JesusChrist

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In this special episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with Beverly Ramsey-Moore — proud daughter of Black Rock, Tobago, President of Pan Trinbago, and lifelong member and leader of the iconic Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra — as we join with Pan Trinbago to mark the official launch of Panorama 2026. 🎶

Beverly shares her remarkable journey from the panyard to national leadership, grounded in her guiding philosophy of “never I, always we and us.” The conversation explores how community, culture, and collaboration continue to shape the story of steelpan and national identity in Trinidad and Tobago.

From Tobago pride to global pan recognition, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, purpose, and cultural vision — told through the lens of one of the movement’s most passionate advocates.

🎧 Listen now and be inspired by the rhythm, resilience, and unity of the steelpan community.

#coriesheppardpodcast #BeverlyRamseyMoore #PanTrinbago #Panorama2026 #Katzenjammers #BlackRock #Tobago #Steelpan #Culture #Leadership #TrinidadAndTobago #Unity #Legacy

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✨ Paid partnership with bmobile Business ✨
We’re kicking off our Champions of Business special with Kiran Maharaj, Chair of the T&T Chamber’s Awards Committee. This year’s spotlight: *The  Innovation Award 2025 sponsored by bmobile Business* — highlighting a longstanding partnership between bmobile Business and the Chamber in celebrating innovation across Trinidad & Tobago.
In this episode, we hear from David Richard of Mobile Medical Group and Larry Holder of Novo Farms — finalists for this year’s Innovation Award, alongside Carib Brewery. They share insights on originality, scalability, marketability, social impact, and the technology driving the future of business. It’s about us: our people, our businesses, our legacy.
🎧 Click the link in our bio for the full episode.
#coriesheppardpodcast #ChampionsOfBusiness #InnovationAward #bmobileBusiness #TTChamber

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Pelham Goddard — legendary arranger, composer, and bandleader — sits down with Corie Sheppard-Babb for a deep dive into five decades of Trinidad and Tobago’s musical evolution. From his early days in St. James panyards to arranging for Charlie’s Roots, David Rudder, and SuperBlue, Pelham shares untold stories behind timeless anthems like “Sugar Bum Bum,” “Woman on the Bass,” “Soca Baptist,” and “Engine Room.”

He breaks down the art of live band recording — when “one take” meant the whole band — and explains how reading music revolutionised the steelpan. Pelham also contrasts the rich compositions of the past with today’s “fast food” approach to production, reminding us why rhythm, melody, and harmony must all work together.

This episode is a rare masterclass in Caribbean music history, full of cultural insight, philosophy, and firsthand accounts of working alongside icons like Lord Kitchener, Clive Bradley, and Art De Coteau.

🎧 Listen now to discover how the sound of soca was built — one groove at a time.

👉 Click the link in my bio for the full episode.

#coriesheppardpodcast #PelhamGoddard #CharliesRoots #DavidRudder #SuperBlue #CalypsoMusic #SocaHistory #Steelpan #TrinidadAndTobago #CaribbeanCulture

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In this powerful conversation, Raymond Ramnarine, frontman of Dil-E-Nadan, sits with Corie Sheppard to share the faith, discipline, and family values behind one of Trinidad & Tobago’s longest-running bands.

Raymond opens up about:

🎵 Growing up in the Ramnarine family band and carrying the legacy after his father’s passing.

🙏 The mantra “We pray before we play” and how faith shapes his leadership.

🥁 Why he insists on full live-band performances — no tracks, no shortcuts.

🌍 Touring South Africa and the unforgettable airport welcome.

🎤 Protecting chutney soca’s core instruments — tassa, dholak and harmonium.

💞 Balancing fatherhood, family life, and performance.

🤝 Collaboration > competition at Chutney Soca Monarch.

It’s part life lesson, part cultural history — and a masterclass in humility, longevity, and love for the artform.

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In this inspiring and unfiltered conversation, Lady Lava shares how authenticity, hustle, and survival shaped her into one of the most influential voices in modern soca.

She talks about building from the ground up—selling slippers, coconut water, and ice cream to fund her dreams—and why every stage of the grind made her unstoppable. Lava opens up about artist independence, income discipline, and why talent without structure will keep you stuck.

She also speaks passionately about helping young artists develop—not just musically but mentally and financially. From advising newcomers on income streams to teaching discipline, punctuality, studio etiquette, and ownership, she makes it clear: music is a business, not a favor.

As a role model for young women, she stands firm in her message of self-definition, confidence, and not waiting on validation—from a man, the industry, or the public. Her hit “Ring Finger” was written from her own story, and its message of liberation connected across generations, even inspiring Vaughnette Bigford’s jazz rendition.

The episode dives into:

• Repetition and songwriting in the age of TikTok
• The zess bounce and why choruses must hit fast
• Performing with intention—cutting the beat so the crowd hears every word
• How Cardi B became a genuine supporter and showed up for her in New York
• Challenging herself through collaborations like her Chutney Soca Monarch title with Drupatee and Machel Montano
• Being confident onstage without ego—but full ownership of self

From stage presence to mentorship, Lava proves that real impact comes from living in truth and lifting others while you rise.

Click the link in my bio for the full episode.
#coriesheppardpodcast

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In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Corie sits down with Kasey Phillips, the world-renowned producer and CEO of Precision Productions, whose sound has defined a generation of soca and shaped the evolution of Caribbean music.

Kasey opens up about his journey from engineering hits for KMC and Machel Montano to crafting global soca anthems like Antilles and countless Road March winners. He reflects on his creative philosophy, the business of production, and why he refuses to compromise on ownership or fairness in the studio.

The conversation dives into the science of building a riddim, lessons from his “baptism by fire” alongside the biggest names in soca, and how his move to Los Angeles led to new collaborations — including work with Ciara and K-pop artists — while still championing the Caribbean sound.

It’s an honest, masterclass-level conversation about art, innovation, and global ambition — from one of the most influential producers of our time.

🎙️ Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

#coriesheppardpodcast #KaseyPhillips #PrecisionProductions #MachelMontano #AntillesRiddim #Ciara #Soca #CaribbeanMusic #MusicProducer #Culture

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In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Trinidadian artist and poet Jimmy October opens up about his creative evolution, the story behind New Calypso, and his new project Episode 3 — a four-track EP that moves from the high-energy “Bam Bam” to the reflective “Desires.” He explains how fashion became self-expression (“the three belts story”), why his sound blends Calypso roots with modern R&B and pop influences, and what it really took to walk away from a secure hospital job to tour and co-write “Magic” with Kes.

Jimmy shares the discipline and structure behind his artistry — from his cadet years to his 1-hour-45-minute daily gym routine — and reflects on the emotional toll of creative life, from tears on tour to gratitude for his mother’s sacrifices. He also revisits his early poetry days in the Free Speech Project and performing at Machel Monday, connecting the dots between spoken word and music, and making a powerful case for why culture must keep evolving to survive.

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
▶️ Watch on YouTube – full video and clips now available