Ebuzz News
Archived: Fay Ann Takes Charge of The International Soca Monarch Competition. ‘Power’ Segment Will Return. Blaxx, Patrice, Swappi Praise Decision.
Things just got interesting. “Power is back”- the words of 38-year-old Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez, in the wake of news that she’d been appointed to head the International Soca Monarch Competition. Her new portfolio will afford her the opportunity to make strategic changes, to better the show, as seen fit.
The announcement, made by National Carnival Commission Chairman, Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters, Lyons-Alvarez’s uncle, has since gone viral. Peters has also disclosed that while finances to be allocated to the competition, have not yet been decided, the event’s semi finals will return to the Arima Velodrome, while the finals will take place at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
Lyons-Alvarez last took part in the competition in 2011. To this day, she remains the only female to have ever won the Power leg of the competition. Both she and her husband, Bunji Garlin, removed themselves from the competition, citing unfavorable contractual stipulations in the ISM contract at the time.
Blaxx Praises ViQueen’s Appointment
In an immediate response on the appointment, fellow soca artiste, Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart said a better person could not have been chosen for the post. “Personally I had no intentions of going back into the Soca Monarch but, I think having senior artistes in the competition is very beneficial to the culture. I will say this, I will be entering this year! Just the mere fact that Fay Ann is running it, I can vouch, she is one of the most astute, straight up persons in this business,” said Blaxx. He said while many criticized her, he felt that Fay Ann would do the best job at handling the competition.
“She is a no grin, no smile person. I don’t care how the other artists feel but brother, what a choice! That girl will be one hell of an administrator. I am one of the oldest artistes in the industry and I will say this : they could not have made a better choice.”- Blaxx
Separately, Blaxx said he was certain that Gypsy too, would do a great job at the helm of the NCC. He spoke of Grenada’s Soca Monarch competition, saying that the Spice Isle has made their competition a part of the island’s tourism product and it has been tremendously successful. “A lot of our things that we have taken for granted, they have made it amazing,” he said.
Patrice Roberts, Swappi, Give The Thumbs Up to Fay Ann’s Appointment.
Meanwhile, fellow female soca heavyweight, Patrice Roberts in a quick chat with EBUZZTT while working out at the gym, said she was happy to see a female now standing at the helm of such a major carnival competition.
“I think she has what it takes to take Soca Monarch where it could possibly be. She has been in the industry and in Soca monarch for a while and I am honestly happy for her and even more happy to see a female being the chairman of the ISM.” – Patrice Roberts.
Patrice, who has unleashed a slew of hits for Carnival 2019, said she could not confirm whether she would be taking part in the competition. She said her head had not been on that, when we spoke with her.
Likewise, Swappi, who has been having a pretty incredible pre-carnival 2019 season, said he is very happy and confident that Fay Ann Lyons will do a great job. ” There is no ifs, ands or maybes. I know she will do a great job. She always strikes gold at everything she does. She is a warrior. She has a warrior’s spirit in her. I can afford to say Power Soca is back and the whole energy of the competition is back!” He said he is still unsure as to whether he would re-enter, having been emotionally affected by previous years of inclusion in the competition.
Reggae
New ‘Jamrock’ Documentary Celebrates Unforgettable Moments. Cruise Returns to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa, This Year.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise shares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
Music News
Popcaan Teams Up with the Legendary, Junior Reid on Brand New Single.
