Caribbean Buzz
Jamaica Loves Soca. Here’s Nigel’s Jam Down Carnival Recap.
Soca music is definitely loved and appreciated by many people in Jamaica and the events of Jamaica Carnival this past weekend showed and proved this is true beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Thousands of Jamaican nationals joined tourists from across the region and outside of it and participated in numerous Carnival and Soca-themed events over the past two weekends in the land that’s renowned for reggae and dancehall music.
Kes The Band’s live concert hosted by SunNation at Sabina Park last Thursday and the first-ever “WI Fete” at the same venue last Saturday night attracted thousands of willing and eager participants, even as Trinidad staple events such as Private Ryan’s “Soca Brainwash”, Scorch’s “Duck Work” and Caesar’s Army’s “A.M. Bush” J’ouvert also drew massive crowds to different locations in and around the capital city of Kingston.
Creative Carnival decor, themes, customs, aesthetics and soundscapes prevailed throughout the festivities with sprinkes of dancehall and reggae for good measure, similar to the mix experienced during Trinidad Carnival. Soca superstar, Machel Montano made note of the evolution of the carnival music dynamic during his first performance with a full band on the island in many years, on Saturday night.
BUNJI GARLIN RECALLS BEING DISSED IN JA
Meanwhile, T&T Road March champion, Bunji Garlin also shared a story of a time when Soca artistes were not so readily accepted on the island. “The year is 2023,” he related after applauding the massive crowd for singing his hit song, “Differentology” word for word. “The last time I set foot inside here it was 2000. I didnt understand Jamaica dem times and ah come here with muh arrogant self and feel ah coulda do wha ah want. Delano from Rennaissance gimme de microphone and ah say gimme that dancehall riddim and ah woman in de crowd say ‘come offa dat, who is you’ and boo me straight off de stage. Ah fly back home to Trinidad that night and ah say ah never coming back to Jamaica again…”
Garlin freestyled the second half of the story in time with his hit song and the crowd’s response was tremendous. Performing with his live band, the ragga soca artiste showed masterful crowd control, stage presence and potent delivery, alongside his trademarked free-styling skills.
Nailah Blackman and Skinny Fabulous also enjoyed their time on stage, as did three-time Soca Monarch, Aaron “Voice” St. Louis when he appeared during Montano’s closing set. Jeffrey “Agent Sasco” Campbell who sings on the new Caribbean Airlines theme song “Welcome Home,” and rising star, Raheem “Valiant” Bowes were among the few Jamaican, non-Soca performers on the night and both were greeted warmly by the audience, but the Soca stars were definitely the highlight and main attraction at Wi Fete.
T&T EVENT COORDINATOR TALKS CULTURAL INTEGRATION
Similarly, at Kes’ concert two days prior, recent collaborator, reggae and dancehall star, Busy Signal was welcomed and enjoyed by the masses assembled, but it was Iwer George’s 2020 collaboration, “Stage Gone Bad” that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Event Coordinator, Damian Archie has been producing events with Caesar’s Army and others at Jamaica Carnival for over a decade and says the cultural integration is still a work in progress. “The Jamaicans have their own way of doing things generally, but over the years, they have observed us and taken stock of how we do things and so now they’re more willing to collaborate and trust us more to handle certain aspects, and there are still things that can be improved on all sides, but the music is there – Soca is at a level now where we have two and three different generations of talent who are professionals and have hits and catalogue and varying degrees of stage experience, so there are about two generations who have grown up loving them and loving Soca music as much as they love any other genre.”
Archie admitted that Jamaica’s Carnival is not on the level of Trinidad and Tobago’s in terms of size, organization and logistics just yet. He noted that Jamaicas are a very expressive and confident people, adding that their parade of bands is on a different level all by itsel, at the same time.
Caribbean Buzz
SVG Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonzales Intrigued by T&T’s Yung Bredda.
To say he was intrigued, is an understatement. An interaction between the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and young T&T sensation, Yung Bredda, has now gone viral and the look of adoration and hope on the face of Prim Minister, Dr. Gonzales speaks volumes.
Trinidad and Tobago has ushered in a new dawn with a shining example of youthful leadership and promise, in Akhenaton Lewis – the artiste known as Yung Bredda. He met Prime Minister Gonzalves on Monday as he arrived in the West Indian territory, sharing his musical gift and bringing a smile to the face of the CARICOM nation’s leader.
The interaction, shared by Dr. Gonzalves via social media, has since been shared multiple times across the internet, proving to be a truly proud moment for many who have been following the 24-year-old’s career and genuinely rooting for him. “From Sealots to the Prime Minister’s house,” one fan commented, reflecting on Lewis’ journey thus far, and highlighting his rise from the humblest of beginnings, having been born and raised in one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most unsung communities.
In the video, Yung Bredda is heard singing his 2025 hit single, ‘Greatest Bend Over’ before delving into his 2025 Calypso Monarch contender, ‘We Rise,’ which brought him the 3rd place prize in the competition on March 2nd. “That is the whole of society, everybody. We all do our part. Not just individualism. People working together and doing it in love,” said Dr. Gonzalves to the entertainer as he completed his brief rendition. It was a moment to be remembered.
Yung Bredda has had a phenomenal run over the past few months, jumping out of Carnival 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago on an extremely sturdy pedestal. He traveled to Canada last weekend, performing at Return Fete, before heading to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Caribbean Buzz
5 Reasons We’d Recommend YUMA For The Carnival Thrill Everyone Deserves.
Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025 Carnival season was pretty much a blockbuster movie – a critically acclaimed experience that nobody could’ve possibly been truly prepared for. Three months of full-fledged, hyper-energetic ecstasy culminated with the traditional mas on the road experience that many travel from parts far and wide to enjoy, annually. This year, YUMA provided an experience for not only seasoned masqueraders, but many newcomers who’ve already co-signed with friends and family, to do it again, and again, and again.
1. COSTUME DESIGN AND QUALITY:
For quite a number of years, the YUMA brand has maneuvered the carnival landscape, with its designers like Rawle Permanand and Marie Collette, delivering exquisite costumes for the road. This year was no different. The costume quality and beauty stood effectively, leaving very little, if anything more to be desired. The band’s ‘Echoes of IERE’ theme featured sections like Marie Collette’s ‘Poui’ in a choice of a vivacious hot pink or an eye-catching bright yellow. Collette herself paraded the streets of Port-of-Spain on Carnival Tuesday in the full hardline ensemble in her choice of bright yellow. The beauty and quality of her costume was unmistakeable. Other sections included Flambeaux, Hibiscus, Magnificent 7, Masala, Nariva, Riddim, Iere, Emperor, Echoes, Castara, Doux Doux Dahlin, Bucco and Bae-Go- rounding off the total street design showcase to 14. When it came time to show off and show out, the vibrance of the intricate designs and captivating kaleidoscope of colour, could not be ignored.
2. PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFICIENCY
Whether in part owed to its partnerships with brands like Digicel, Dasani, Hennessy, Johnnie Walker, Maybelline New York, Ocean Spray, VISA, Red Bull, Coca Cola, Shine Distributors, Skins, Hai Trim and Feathers, Carib, Jose Cuervo and Guinness, or simply its distinct and intentional effort to provide its masqueraders with the very best money can buy, YUMA once again delivered on customer satisfaction. From the costume collection where masqueraders received backpacks, which held a variety of goodies inside, inclusive of two branded aluminum cups and other necessities that would be appreciated for the road experience, and beyond, to the effort shown by drink attendants and security staff to minimize discomfort in any way, and of course, the detail and attention paid to their lunch stop, many basked in the YUMA vibe and professionalism throughout the two-day experience.
3. MUSIC SELECTION AND VIBE
Music selection is a big deal. The YUMA DJ selection proved top tier on Carnival Monday and Tuesday with the likes of Whitney Husbands, DJ Linx, Kevon X, Major Penny, DJ Jel, Selector Snappy and Deejay Kareem and others pleasing masqueraders with tunes from ‘tune land.’ Soca was the order and the DJs did not disappoint.
4. THE PEOPLE WHO BRING THE VIBE
YUMA has always been known to be the band of the superstars. This year was no different, with a slate of popular faces in the mix, inclusive of influencers like Anil and Kineta James, Neicey bwoss, model, Mela, Charlotte Wingham, Carnival Sabrina, cricketer, Dwayne Bravo, and others. Soca artistes like Jadel, Lyrikal, Lady Lava, Voice, The A Team Band and others were also a part of the vibe. “As an artiste, I can say the artistes were treated amazing. We got VISA bands for YUMA and I loved the fact that YUMA had The A Team band LIVE. That was so entertaining and masqueraders appreciated that so much. A lot of mas bands do not bring that live band element to the road and that live band on the road, did it for me,” Jadel told Ebuzztt. She also said the drinks truck was on point. “I had no problems with the drinks at all, the courtesies extended were amazing. The whole vibe- the energy was just love – love and happiness and unity,” she added.
5. READY- FOR- ANYTHING MASQUERADERS
With social media and trend-setting being the kill-joy for many in the carnival space, it would be remiss of us not to mention the fact that on the road, masquerading was the order in YUMA. While there were moments for the ‘gram’ and TikTok, this did not take away from the overall energy of the people on the road. Beautiful women, handsome men – all up for the thrill of the carnival roadshow experience, immersed themselves in the music of the season and showed off their effervescent nature, making it abundantly clear that YUMA just might be THE band to truly bring the VIBES, not just in 2025 but way into the years ahead.
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