They don't call Olbenz the Fiyah Warrior for nothing...This man has energy....don't let the small frame fool you. He is a giant on the stage. You can't help but be captivated. Born in Dominica, but recording extensively in the French West Indies, he has made a name for himself in the Reggae and Dancehall arena. The Lime chatted with him recently about this climb to success. Check it out below:

1. What does success mean to you?
Success to me is knowing that the message in my music reaches the people all over the earth and that it inspires them positively in their everyday life.


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
I've got various goals which I hope to achieve, but my priority is to play my part in ensuring that Dominica's music develops as an industry which could be of financial benefit to every national artist.


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your careet?
Having to leave my loved ones behind on many occasions to build up my music career overseas.


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
When I look to where I came from and see all the opportunities I was blessed with because of music; I dont ever have fears of not making it big . I am more focused on makin good music for my people. Plus, I live my life knowing that no good work or deed goes unrewarded--it always pays of in some form. So, I'm forever optimistic of my future. Real warriors know that anyone living in fear is already defeated.


5. What makes you stand out in your field?
Definitely my energy and the level of perfomance that I consistently bring to the stage. Also the wealth of knowledge that I've acquired over the years.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
Get my music copyrighted by an international copyright society and always pay close attention to the lyrics that I write. That was advice straight from Nasio Fontaine over the phone.


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Stick to the business and pay less attention to the hype.

Click HERE to read Olbenz responses to our 20 Questions

Aight ya'll we are jumping right back into the music industry with our next interview. As much as he is not looking for a "buss" Protoje has definitely crossed the barrier between unknown artist and radio and TV favorite. His songs "Arguments" and "Dread" have been featured on ZiP and Fame FM as well as RETV, Hype TV and TV J. Despite having famous parents and a famous cousin in Donovan "Don Corleone" Bennett, Oje still did it on his own and earned his stripes. Read on to see what he says about his road to success.




1. What does success mean to you?
Success to me is getting closer to your goals every day. I deh pon my music so success is getting closer to having the album complete or closer to being on tour. I don’t really wait for something to happen to say I’m successful. I try to make something successful happen everyday.


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
I want to be able to travel the world and perform music. That’s been my goal ever since- to be on stage performing and interacting with people.


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your career?
That’s a good question. Umm, the greatest sacrifice I’ve made in my career has been a huge personal sacrifice. I had to give up A LOT to stay in Jamaica and do my music. To do something you really want to chances are you have to make a sacrifice. I’ve always had to give up opportunities for music, although fortunately I had the chance to do other things it wasn’t like a music or bust type a ting. Music is the only ting that make me feel alive that way.


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
No, not at all because as I say, it just depends on what you call making it. So, even me saying I want to travel and do music, I travel from Kingston to Negril to go do a show or whatever it is. I don’t really fear not making it at the end of the day I’m living my dream of making my music, it’s just how people react.


5. What makes you stand out in your field?
Just being me, naturally. I try to really focus on just speaking my mind and what my truth is and how I feel about stuff. That has to make it authentic because no one is me. My music is consistent with me as an individual; so naturally it’s going to have some originality. I try not to focus on what other people are doing and just stay true to my roots. I am from St. Elizabeth, Santa Cruz Jamaica my experiences are going to be different from people from other places, but I stay true to who I am and I guess the difference just comes out in the music.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
I really can’t tell you who it’s from, I cyan remember. It’s just one of dem tings I just remember picking up a piece of information but it’s something I always go by and that is always working on my craft and not concentrating on end results. The music is the only true ting you have so when you focus on things like making it and stuff like that, that’s not where the focus should be it should be on the craft and doing what you can do for the music because it is all about the music.


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Work on your craft. Get better everyday at what it is you do. If you get better everyday that’s 365 times. Can you imagine improving over three hundred times in one year??? Just work on your discipline and you will see the dividends right away. After one week you’ll be like woaw!!

Read more about Protoje HERE and see his answers to our 20 Questions.

So we've had our share of entertainers and we've had a TV host/model..lets keep the fashion vibes flowing and visit with Theo A Faulkner makeup artist extraordinaire, repping hard for the BVI. Let's see why he is a Star on the Rise!!!!!



1. What does success mean to you?
I am a work in progress. So success just means making it to the next stage in my growth.


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
I want to be a brand that lives on- recognized everywhere.


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your career?
Missing out on time with my family has been the greatest sacrifice so far.


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
No I don’t have a fear of that… I never spend time thinking about it … I just keep pushing on to be better at what I do and show my best work.


5. What makes you stand out in your field?
I think my personality and spirit make me stand out.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
From Oprah…. She said to dream big and then when you dream that dream, dream a dream bigger then that one and you will be fine and know that you can do anything. In that comes success.


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Don’t get discouraged and don’t let any one that tells you no… push on and let your work speak for it self Allow your self to grow and be come better and dig for the knowledge its there and its free.

Click HERE to read Theo's answers to our 20 Questions!

Hey guys, hope you have been keeping up with our Stars on the Rise Feature. Now, for those up to date, you will note that so far the interviews have been with persons in the music business, singers actually. So, here's a nice change. Featuring Leah Marvile...tan-ta-da-daaaaaaa. LOL.
She is truly the embodiment of hard worker ya'll but don't feel sorry. She is having mad fun. She is an international model, Miss Barbados World 2009 and host on the BETJ Caribbean lifestyle show SPLASH!!! Let's get her take on her climb to success.





1. What does success mean to you?
I’ve always defined my success as stepping beyond my comfort zone and ignoring my inhibitions to order to achieve my full potential. In Barbados we grow up conditioned with career dreams of becoming lawyers, doctors and professionals. In fact, the mold once defined me as i have a bachelor's of law degree. Having a career as a television host or model are not avenues that have been traditionally available to Barbadians. As such every step I take that pushes the envelop, and further secures my place as a television host, model or personality. I feel as if i am a pioneer amongst my peers, that is success to me.


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
My ultimate career goal is to become an actress. I want to become a household name beyond my shores. Charlize Theron is recognized as the most successful South African actress, Sheryl Lee-Ralph as the most successful Jamaican and in time Leah Marville, I hope will be recognized as the most successful from Barbados.


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your career?
My greatest sacrifice is being absent from family and friends. I tend to miss all those quality moments, birthday's, Mother's Day...I have even missed Christmas and New Years. My assignments keep me so busy throughout the year, and spending months away from home has become a mundane occurrence. As an international model I am signed to several markets: China, Athens, London, Germany, Jamaica and South Africa. And even on my short visits home, I am busy with my Charity and filming duties for my local television show Passport 246. My charity The Love Campaign, has mushroomed into one of the largest charities in Barbados. Its planning and execution demand more attention than I could have have ever imagined. But it is something I am truly proud of, and as I grow, it will grow with me. Recently I opened my owned company Marville Management which has demanded even more attention, further alienating me from my family and friends. I have come to refer to sleep as a concept as I don't get any. They say, if you wanna see the rainbow, you must endure the rain...my rainbows coming!


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
I have had the thought before, but it is usually a fleeting one. My vision as to a career direction is so clear and vivid in my mind; I see, live and feel it within me...its exist almost like a vicarious existence. I am so blinded by my goals that I don’t think of any other possibility. At this stage I am tunnel visioned and my target is attainable. I do recognize the challenges, and foresee a great many of them ahead of me, but I certainly have no fear about the journey. My hope is that when the opportunity presents itself, I just hope I'm ready to seize the day. Carpe diem!.


5.What makes you stand out in your field?
I believe in dynamism. I'm already outside the box with the millions of peoples how dared to step out. So my approach now is that of a forward thinker. I'd like to think I'm prepared, and ready for whatever ever you throw at me. I'd like to become a memory. In no other industry is the saying, 'it's not who you know but who knows you', more true than the entertainment industry. When I was crowned the Sexiest Woman Alive by Global Beauties, I didn't even know I was in a competition and that fans across the world were voting. The sexiest woman is chosen from all the Misses that entered the 5 major world pageants: Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Earth, Miss Tourism and Miss International. The point is they knew me and were observing. The aim therefore is to ensure that your name, your words, your image, resonate in the minds of people. And even still that's only half the battle, the other half, is being very good at what you do.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
A friend of mine always says “Don’t wait for the world to call your name, shout it for everyone to hear”. It is a saying that has stuck with me since. I am subtly aggressive (lol) and a go getter. I'm not going sit and wait for the opportunity just to present itself, if I can, I'm going to make it happen. Everything I have learned has prepared me for now, my friends advice reinforces everything if ever just that. In support of this advice, I have adopted two others: 'it's your attitude that determines your altitude', and 'don't worry about tomorrow, its already today in Australia'.


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Half of the battle is going to be up to you, the individual. You ought always to be prepared, be professional, set goals with the intention and perseverance to execute them. One ought always to reinvent oneself, and welcome competition as an opportunity for growth. Your personality is a unique gift, embrace it, share it. Its 'you' that will also set 'you' apart from others. Be driven but always have fun and enjoy the ride!

Click HERE to see Leah's responses to our 20 Questions!

Aight so you see this young woman, with curly hair, great skin and a slender figure many aspiring models would envy, Conscious Reggae singer is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind. Don't? But that is what she is. Nicola Lionfish is an artist that I admire so much and I am thrilled to have her on The Lime in our special feature on Stars on the Rise. She is dedicated, focused and naturally blessed with a powerful voice and countenacne. Read on my people, read on...you know you wanna:-)


1. What does success mean to you?
Success to me is touching the hearts of many. There is no monetary means that could ever replace the feeling of making a difference in someones life by uplifting them through music. To know that my music video and tunes have circulated the globe and brought about awareness is a great success in my opinion. To be recognized as a hard working artist, yes that too falls under the category of success to me.

2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
I wish to reach my next goal which was to always travel and perform on the stage. At some point further down in my career I would like to run my own studio and help other up and coming artist move forward.

3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your career?
Everyday is a sacrifice. Each dollar that I earn goes towards my music as i have no sponsors and manage myself. I sacrifice all of my time for my music. My music comes first, there are some who may not ovastand that but it is what it is. However with everything I do, I do try to find a balance.


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
I never fear that I could not buss or not make it big. Music is what I love and live for. Whether I make it further in the business or not I will always sing for those who want to hear. I will always love music so to me there is no loss either way; because it will always carry on.


5. What makes you stand out in your field?
My humbleness...the truth....feeling and being a grounded woman.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
It would be from two people.One is an engineer I worked with in the past. He once asked me what is perfection? He said, if you make a tune perfect then it loses its character and depth. I never forgot that and applied it ever since. And the other person would be Everton Blender. He has been a great encouragement throughout my career.

7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
My advice to other artists would be to stay focused. If music is what you love, take the rocky road. Anything that comes too fast or too easy is not good. If it takes long you are on the right path. Always be willing to learn. Only a fool knows everything and even the greatest of singers have to practice and better what they are already great at. Also, there are times where you feel discouraged like you have given all that you can. Stay positive and remember that if you doubt the Father, then why should he have faith in you. Have faith in yourself.

Click HERE to listen to her music and read her answers to our 20 Questions!