Ebuzz News
Another Soca Monarch Crown to His Name, Skinny Fabulous Looks Toward 2026 With Big Ambitions.
One part of the newly crowned St. Vincent and the Grenadines Soca Monarch, Skinny Fabulous, says he’s extremely happy to have returned to the Soca Monarch stage after six years. Answering the call of the people, Skinny, in a move even he hadn’t planned, recently gave the people of SVG, and those visiting for the island’s carnival, a show that will live on in history, for many years to come.
Together with Fireman Hooper – his Soca Monarch rival in years gone by, Skinny Fabulous ignited the stage on show night, delivering a song called “Erupt,” – a call to action that the people excitedly accepted. “When the song was released, there was no intention to enter the Soca Monarch competition,” said the artiste. Collaborating with Fireman Hooper was something no one expected, but for Skinny, there was no reason for him not to. “This was something outstanding to the people because over the years, when I was a part of the competition, we were rivals, but outside of the competition, there really was no rivalry,” he explained. It had been six years since Skinny Fabulous had mounted St. Vincent’s Soca Monarch Stage. “This song started off as a contribution to the carnival but when the people began calling for it in the competition, in an effort to bring back the interest to the competition, we entered.”
Over the years, attendance to this major carnival event had dwindled. This year however, the excitement was unparalleled. “This collaboration represented growth. In terms of the competition, I believe any song can be a Soca Monarch song but it all comes down to the competition night; the competition is really won on that night,” he said.
Over the years, Skinny Fabulous, through intentional effort, has created a winning formula for himself. “Some people go in being a crowd favourite, but it doesn’t always translate to a win. I like to grab your attention quick, and keep it visually, and of course, with the music. I put a lot of emphasis on singing the song exactly as it was recorded,” he explained.
In the aftermath of the win, he says he is not sure he’ll defend the title in 2026 but he’s happy that together with Fireman Hooper, he was able to bring that energy to the people of his homeland. Now a household name when it comes to Soca music, Skinny is focused on delivering something fresh as another carnival year approaches. “I’m taking one month off and from August I’ll head back into the studio to start work for 2026. I want to focus on a different presentation of self. I want to slow down and broaden how I represent myself. I’m working on some tracks that will be different,” he highlighted, noting that while he has mastered the art of effectively capturing massive crowds with his baritone vocals and musical aggression, he now wants to master other elements of musical delivery.
Ebuzz News
Trinidad and Tobago’s Voice Will Rep for Soca at Best of the Best 2026. Artiste’s Inclusion Shows Soca’s Global Reach.
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 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.
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.
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