There’s something for everyone in Carnival and it’s proven. Skimpy, sensual designs are hot on the streets of Port-of-Spain on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, but when the spirit of a patron resonates more with the music of the season than the costumes, there’s always Blow Mano Blow.
Band leaders, Burt and Dianne Marcellin. Photo: TRG Concepts
The carnival Mas band – a band that honors the late, great musician, Mano Marcellin, heads to the streets of the capital city in Trinidad and Tobago, on Monday, March 3rd, 2025. It’s their fifth time heading out, and in 2024, they won the hearts of the judges at the Queen’s Park Savannah, taking home the title for Most Original band on Carnival Monday. It’s a full-fledged t-shirt band that comes complete with the all-inclusive trimmings- drinks, food and even air-conditioned buses. In addition to that, masqueraders bask in the carnival thrill of a live percussion band, literally on the road.
A taste of the road ready look. Photo: TRG Concepts
The band launch for the 2025 presentation- a tribute to calypsonian, Lord Kitchener, dubbed, ‘Mama Dis Is Mas,’ unfolded at Quties Restaurant and Lounge, on Saturday, September 28th. Four mas sections, ‘Bees Melody, ‘Miss Tourist/Mr Tourist,’ ‘Flag Woman,’ and ‘Sugar Bum Bum,’ were shared with the crowd who came out to party and get a taste of what they can expect on Carnival Monday.
Theatre and arts aficionado, Penelope Spencer. Photo: TRG Concepts
Band leader, Burt Marcellin- the son of Mano Marcellin, maintains that the band’s overall aim is to deliver a traditional and authentic T&T mas option to patrons coming to the island of Fete, Steelpan and Soca. On launch night, music lovers were served a real treat with the live musicianship and vocals of the band, ‘Brass 2 The World.’ Frontline vocalists, Snakey, Sanelle Dempster and KC brought variety, excitement and certainly, vocal prowess to the stage at the One Woodbrook Place entertainment hot spot. Soca artiste, Sekon Sta also hit the stage, adding to the energy and vibes of what was certainly, a festive experience.
The band’s new mas camp is located at 35 French Street, Port of Spain. Last weekend’s unveiling of the band’s costumes proved to be an exciting start to what is expected to be an enjoyable Carnival 2025 season in Trinidad and Tobago.
For more information on Blow Mano Blow Mas, visit their Instagram page @blowmanoblowmastt and Facebook @blowmanoblowmas.
He had one of the most memorable Carnival seasons with a Soca track that stole the hearts of Soca lovers in 2026 and now Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis is set to represent hard for the Soca music genre at the upcoming ‘Best of the Best’ Music Festival in Miami on May 26th. His appearance will be his debut to the highly anticipated festival and already, the energy is high.
Voice makes his debut at Best of the Best 2026.
Voice represents the bridge between Millennial Soca and GenZ vibes. ‘Cyah Behave Mehself’ was lapped up like good Caribbean food at Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago back in February, and it is expected to do the same as the international summer season approaches.
Set to take place on May 26th at Museum Park, Downtown Miami, Voice’s inclusion on the cast underscores the Soca genre’s continued global reach within a predominantly reggae and dancehall showcase. Known for his high energy performances and melodic songwriting, the Trinidad and Tobago three -time Soca Monarch King has built an extensive catalogue of hits that that has proven to resonate with a global audience.
Organizers say anticipation for Voice’s performance at Best of the Best, is high. “Fans are looking forward to a dynamic set that brings soca’s signature energy to the festival stage.”
Best of the Best Music Fest remains one of North America’s premiere Caribbean music events, drawing fans from across the region and Diaspora for a full day of live performances. This year’s lineup includes, Sizzla Kalonji, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Capleton, Rajah Wild, Skeng, Vanessa Bling, among others.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruiseshares 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.
Beenie Man will be on the cruise in November.
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.
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