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Payments Trinidad and Tobago artiste M1 aka Menace has raised fresh questions about payments to performers who participated in the Government’s Flava Village initiative during Carnival 2026. In a social media post, Menace suggested that some artistes who performed during the 2026 edition may still be awaiting payment, even as attention begins turning towards Carnival 2027. “Big respect to all the artists who performing on Flava Village stage carnival 2027 an still ain’t get paid for carnival 2026 yet,” he wrote. The allegation has not been independently verified by TG News. Menace did not identify the artistes he said were awaiting payment, the amounts allegedly outstanding or the circumstances surrounding any delays. His comments, however, come months after the Government publicly addressed outstanding payments associated with Flava Village. In April, Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin told the Senate that approximately 90 per cent of artistes had been paid at that point. She said payments for February engagements were still being processed and that payments to the various categories of performers were expected to be completed by May 31, 2026. The Minister also told Parliament that more than 500 performers had been engaged across the initiative, which operated from January 8 to March 1. She said the Government was committed to honouring its contractual obligations and that every performer who rendered a service would be paid. Menace’s latest post has generated discussion online, with conflicting accounts emerging among those responding. One commenter claimed that all artistes who performed at Flava Village had already been paid. Menace disputed that assertion, responding that it was “not correct at all” and stressing that his comments were “definitely not about politics.” At least one performer publicly reported a different experience. Demion Fireball Richards commented that he performed at Flava Village and received his payment. The differing accounts do not establish how many performers, if any, currently have outstanding payments. Other commenters made additional claims about payments involving other Carnival participants and service providers. TG News has not independently verified those claims. Menace’s post nevertheless raises questions following the Government’s previously announced May 31 completion target, including whether all payments connected to Carnival 2026 Flava Village performances have since been settled. At the time of publication, TG News had not independently confirmed that Menace himself was owed money or established the identities or number of artistes allegedly awaiting payment.
