WiPay founder, Point Fortin-born Aldwyn Wayne, officially launched LIVE Events Inc, an entertainment company specialising in concert funding, ticketing, payments, and management, during the BET Awards red carpet event held in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night.
The company was founded by Wayne and the chief marketing officer of the WiPay group Kibwe McGann.
In a news release, the directors of the company said LIVE Events Inc aims to fill a void in the entertainment market by delivering high-quality concerts and experiences to the Caribbean region.
The WiPay executives said the new events management company was inspired by the success of their previous venture, WiFete, a carnival concert held in Jamaica in April featuring renowned soca artists Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin, Nailah Blackman and Skinny Fabulous.
The concept was born to enable promoters in the region to maximise the potential of the events industry by providing the necessary operational infrastructure and support.
LIVE Events Inc aims to revolutionise events in the Caribbean with an all-online platform that provides a unique form of funding for events and concerts based on ticketing, in-event payments, and sponsorship managed through a single portal.
“We have had a number of successful meetings over the past few days with talent agencies, producers, networks, and investors here in LA.
“We’re excited to bring some of the greatest entertainers to the Caribbean,” said Aldwyn Wayne.
“Our company is dedicated to offering a complete event-in-a-box solution that encompasses bar management, payment processing, event execution, public relations and funding.
“We want to redefine the event landscape and provide a platform for major international and overseas acts to bring their talents to the Caribbean.”
McGann added that WiPay’s involvement in the entertainment industry granted it valuable market insights, enabling them to identify existing gaps.
“Through our role as a payment processing company, facilitating transactions for the Love Damani Tour headlined by Burna Boy in Miami, Trinidad, Barbados, and Jamaica, we have recognised the immense potential for major event experiences in the Caribbean.
“With this realisation, our mission at LIVE Events is to provide a comprehensive turnkey event management solution specifically tailored to international festival organisers who aspire to host events in Caribbean cities.
“Previously, promoters would have been hindered by infrastructure limitations, payment solutions, and funding constraints.
“These organisers will now have the opportunity to bring their events to life with our support,” said McGann.
The WiPay executives said that with a passion for excellence and a deep understanding of the Caribbean’s vibrant culture, LIVE Events is poised to reshape the events industry by delivering unparalleled entertainment experiences.
By leveraging market expertise and innovative approaches utilising technology, Live Events aims to open the Caribbean up to the world’s largest events.
BET awards 2023
The 2023 BET Awards celebrated 50 years of hip-hop with tributes to the genre’s earliest voices, late legends, and new talent during a show packed with spectacular performances that consistently felt like a party.
Sunday’s biggest surprise came when Quavo and Offset, the surviving members of Migos, performed Bad and Boujee in front of an image of Takeoff, who died in a shooting in November.
“BET, do it for Take,” the duo shouted near the beginning of their set, as their backdrop switched from the image of a space shuttle to one of Takeoff pointing in the air.
Throughout the show, whether it was Tupac, Notorious BIG, Biz Markie or Pop Smoke, performers and emcee Kid Capri paid homage to late hip-hop stars, often by quickly highlighting a taste of their best-known hits. In a show where few awards were given, Capri and BET kept the emphasis on the music.
Busta Rhymes took home the night’s biggest honour, the Lifetime Achievement Award, handed to him by Swizz Beatz.
The 12-time Grammy Award nominated rapper, producer, and pioneering hip-hop figure is widely regarded as one of the great MCs, with seven Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits to his name.
Diddy, Janet Jackson, Chuck D, Missy Elliot, Pharrell Williams, and Mariah Carey recorded a video tribute to Rhymes.
“Alright, Imma wear it on my sleeve. I do wanna cry,” Rhymes started his speech, as his eyes started to water.
He talked about his six children, being kicked out from his hip-hop group Leaders of the New School, and learning how to rebuild by going into studios, sharing a cigar with whoever was in the studio, and “quickly whipping up a 16 bar verse...By default, I pioneered the feature,” he said.
“A lot of greatness from out people in our culture is by default. Because it’s just a magic we have.”
At the end of his acceptance speech, Rhymes urged the hip-hop community to “stop this narrative that we don’t love each other,” urging veteran musicians and newcomers alike to embrace one another.
Throughout the show, old school hip-hop heroes and modern stars mixed it up onstage, performing tracks celebrating rap’s most influential cities and innovation.
For Miami, Trick Daddy and Trina rocked through Nann and Uncle Luke took on I Wanna Rock (Doo Doo Brown). For Atlanta, Jeezy ripped through They Know, TI hit 24’s, and Master P did No Limit Soldiers into Make ‘Em Say Ugh.
And for hip-hop’s reggae influence, Jamaica’s Doug E Fresh and Lil ’Vicious did an acapella version of Freaks, Mad Lion performed Take It Easy, and PATRA nailed Romantic Call.