“As creatives, we are hardwired to dream.” 🎭✨
Valmiki Maharaj reflects on balancing creativity with reality — from growing up with big artistic dreams to studying business while finding his path in Carnival and design.
A powerful conversation on creativity, pressure, purpose, and building something meaningful in Trinidad & Tobago.
Full episode available now.
#coriesheppardpodcast #ValmikiMaharaj #TRIBE #TheLostTribe #Creativity Carnival Podcast TrinidadAndTobago Culture
Valmiki Maharaj breaks down what it really took to coordinate IShowSpeed’s viral Trinidad IRL stream — balancing chaos, culture, logistics, and authenticity for a global audience. 🇹🇹🌎
From pan and stick fighting to moko jumbies and the streets of Port of Spain, this conversation dives into one of the biggest cultural moments Trinidad has seen online in years.
Full episode premieres tonight at 7PM.
#coriesheppardpodcast #ValmikiMaharaj #IShowSpeed #TRIBE #TheLostTribe Carnival TrinidadAndTobago Podcast Culture IRLStream
✨ New Guest Alert ✨
This week on The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we’re joined by Valmiki Maharaj — Creative Director of The Lost Tribe, Director of TRIBE, and the mind behind some of Trinidad & Tobago’s biggest live experiences. 🇹🇹🎭
From redefining modern mas to leading Ultimate Events and coordinating IShowSpeed’s viral IRL stream in Trinidad, Valmiki shares the vision, pressure, and creativity behind producing culture at the highest level.
We dive into:
• The evolution of TRIBE & The Lost Tribe
• The business behind experiential events
• Coordinating global-scale productions
• The future of Carnival and Trinidad culture
• Leadership, creativity, and cultural impact
A powerful conversation on culture, innovation, and building experiences people never forget.
Episode drops tomorrow.
#coriesheppardpodcast #ValmikiMaharaj #TRIBE #TheLostTribe #UltimateEvents Carnival TrinidadCarnival IShowSpeed Podcast Culture TrinidadAndTobago
Hosting and giving people an unforgettable time is what we do best at The Lost Tribe — and this weekend, we turned it all the way up 🇹🇹🔥
We had the honor of welcoming IShowSpeed and his team to our home on Alberto Street, transforming the space into a full-on Carnival experience (with our sister bands TRIBE, BLISS AND HARTS)— a vibrant snapshot of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, history, and soul.
From the moment he stepped into the camp, it was energy. Shin and I welcomed him like family and invited him straight into the mas — and honestly? He moved like a natural-born masquerader.
He jumped into a Carnival dance session with Zulema and Jelani, and even shared a wine with our queen, Lady Lava 👑🔥
Then came the unexpected — Speed took on the moko jumbie stilts with Mokoboss Charlo and had us all shocked at how quickly he found his balance. Respect where it’s due!
He stepped into the Gayelle and got a real taste of stick fighting with Atillah and Keegan — a powerful introduction to one of our deep-rooted traditions. And on his way out, he connected with some of our legendary traditional characters, soaking it all in with genuine curiosity and respect.
What stood out most was how he embraced and represented our culture. That meant something.
Seeing the youth come out for Speed — and in the same moment be immersed in their own culture, their own identity — that was the real highlight. Pure joy. Real pride. A moment that felt bigger than all of us.
It was a whirlwind day (d man eh name Speed by chance 😂), but one that truly showcased Trinidad and Tobago in its fullness.
Big respect to the UEL team, alongside Che, Gifted, and the entire Speed team for making sure everything flowed seamlessly and our story was told with authenticity.
Speed — respect.
We waiting on you for Carnival 🙌🏾🇹🇹
#speed #IShowSpeed #carnival #TrinidadAndTobago
Trinidad, todayyy we wuz outside. Ah tiredddd but grateful🙏🏾
Big honor stepping in as Creative + Line Producers with the UEL team for the Trinidad stop of IShowSpeed’s Caribbean tour.
To put our culture on a global stage like this? That’s always the mission.
The food, the music, the energy, the people… the real Trini vibe.
Small island, BIG presence. Every time.
Grateful we got to showcase even a piece of what makes Trinidad & Tobago so special — the colour, the flavour, the chaos, the magic.
Massive respect to Che, the Gifted team & the entire Speed team… real vibes working together 🤝🏽
And yeah…
Thank you for starting the tour in Trinidad.
Start it right. 🇹🇹🔥
#trinidadandtobago🇹🇹 #caribbean #ıshowspeed #carnival
I was invited to be an assessor at the UWI annual final year Communications Expo 2026 .
Being on campus in this capacity and not as a limer after so many yrs was definitely a full circle moment lol.
The Expo's theme this year was ‘COUSOMEH: We Tings, We Sounds, We Stories!’ with student research covering areas like music's impact on women, carnival costumes, social media influence on relationships, and the impact of colonialism on language in Trinidad.
Our group was called
'MasMosaic'Beyond the Beads :
Local and International UWI Students' Perceptions of Female Masquerader Costumes in Trinidad Carnival"
I went with Solange and we assessed their vocal Presentation and their booth display.
I love being a part of convos like this , it reminds of what we do, why we do it and the varied perspectives. It also gives us to the opportunity to speak and share perspective that oftentimes get lost the Beads and bright lights of our mas.
Congrats to the Mosaic crew and all the other Students , y'all did great!
Thank you to Sean , Greer and all the organisers, the work you do is paving the way for our future.
Had a vist from Max and the Career Ladder team today at the camp ! Amazing guy and team !
Welcome to Trindad , yuh's a born Road man in that costume! Thanks for comin and come back for Carnival soon !
The Lost Tribe takes Band of the Year once again. And yes, Valmiki found out the same way he always does… over a roti and a Diet Coke.
At this point, it’s not just a post-Carnival ritual, it’s a winning formula. 🇹🇹🏆
Congrats to The Lost Tribe!!
#ttcarnival365 #yuhgolovedis #trinidadandtobagocarnival2026 #bandoftheyear
The carnival has a way of becoming exactly what you need, when you need it , without your even knowing you need it... oftentimes more than or beyond our understanding...
Thank u Carnival
