Ebuzz News
Miami Carnival’s Big Winners Include Gen X Mas and Problem Child.
The 40th anniversary of Miami Carnival, a cultural extravaganza that has not only become a cornerstone of South Florida’s identity but also a significant milestone in the region’s cultural calendar, was celebrated on Sunday, October 13th with a spectacular Parade of Bands which featured 17 masquerade groups. The milestone event marked four decades of vibrant celebrations and reinforced the Carnival’s role as a unifying force for the region’s cultural diversity and creativity.
With a vibrant display of colors, intricate costumes, and the lively sounds of Soca music, Miami Carnival has once again cemented its place as a thoughtfully curated celebration of Caribbean heritage. The Carnival, named one of the Top 100 Events in South Florida, offered a dynamic blend of pageantry, music, food, arts and crafts, and cultural experiences, catering to a diverse audience. This diverse range of activities attracted thousands of attendees, all eager to embrace the joyous spirit of Caribbean culture and celebrate its diversity, tradition, and artistic expression.
The 40th-anniversary celebration of Miami Carnival was made possible by the generous support of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, which was the host sponsor, alongside the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor, and the Board of County Commissioners.
Attendees were treated to a day filled with elaborate costumes, cultural performances, and an all-star Mega Soca Concert, further highlighting the rich Caribbean traditions.
2024 Miami Carnival Winners
Band of the Year
1st Place: Gen-X Carnival – Portrayal: Miami Carnival-Ravenous
2nd Place: Ramajay Mas International – Portrayal: Free Spirit
3rd Place: Big and Strong/One Island – Portrayal: A Night at the Louvre
4th Place: Pleasure Mas – Portrayal: Romancing the Stone
Queen of Carnival
1st Place: Reisha Maynard – Portrayal: The Phoenix Warrior -(Ramajay Mas International)
2nd Place: Charlene Samuels – Portrayal: Aurora: Goddess of Dawn (Freaks Mas)
3rd Place: Jessy Schuester – Portrayal: Arachnes (Revel Nation Carnival)
King of Carnival
1st Place: Percival Maynard – Portrayal: Roar: Spirit of the King (Ramajay Mas International)
2nd Place: Glen Turnbull – Portrayal: Mr. Majesty (The Forest) (Dingolay Mas)
3rd Place: Cletus Evans – Portrayal: Chronos Father Time (Freaks Mas)
Female Individual of the Year
1st Place: Janeille Campbell – Portrayal: Aello (Revel Nation Carnival)
2nd Place: Amber-Lynn Lewis – Portrayal: Pixiu (Revel Nation Carnival)
3rd Place: Kaiomi Inniss – Portrayal: SUNDJATA (Party Room Squad)
Male Individual of the Year
1st Place: Neil Williams – Portrayal: Palais Royale (Savage Mas)
DJ Awards
Best Local DJ:
Wassi Ones-Eternal Vibes
Ramajay Mas International-GBM Productions
Euphoria Mas, Inc-DJ J Rocca
Best Out-of-Town DJ:
Gen-X Carnival-DJ Kevin Crown
Savage Mas-Shakton: LovaBoi
Big and Strong/One Island-DJ Elon Baker
Road March 2024(Calypso most played)
1st Place Problem Child – Carnival Jumbie
2nd Place Bunji Garlin – Carnival Contract
3rd Place- Mical Teja – DNA
GEN X CARNIVAL: All photos credited to Photographer Ricardo Reyes.
Music News
Vybz Kartel To Headline Reggae Sumfest This Year, Alongside Mavado. New Album, ‘God & Time’ Set for June Release.
One of the most influential artists in dancehall history, Vybz Kartel, marks a defining new chapter with his forthcoming album God & Time, slated for release June 5th, 2026.
In recent weeks, dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel has been receiving some backlash online after sharing videos of himself wearing a bonnet while dancing in his underwear and a robe. The noise increased after he shared it a second time, almost taunting his detractors and making it clear that he is rich and does not care for the unsolicited comments of naysayers. Fast forward days later and like magic, the artiste’s pre-album release publicity stunt ushers in the release of his forthcoming album God & Time, set for a June 5th release. Kartel ain’t no fool.
The upcoming album is symbolic for the artiste who spent 13 years behind bars in Jamaica and was only released in 2024. It is being touted as his most personal and sonically expansive body of work since his release. The album will span genres and features an all star lineup of artistes including, Puerto Rican superstar Farruko, Jamaica’s Skillibeng, and Shenseea, with more artistes to be included.
In a media release, it is highlighted that throughout God & Time, Vybz Kartel moves seamlessly between personal reflections, hard-hitting dancehall anthems, sensual records for the ladies, genre-bending crossover records, and rare moments of vulnerability. It adds that it is inspired by the Jamaican expression “God & Time”—rooted in faith, patience, and destiny—and reflects the artiste’s survival, rebirth, and creative freedom.
The title track evokes the same introspective tone as Kartel’s most streamed post-release hit “God Is The Greatest,” which has surpassed 30 million video views year-to-date.
Produced by longtime collaborator TJ Records alongside Kartel, the album reunites the creative team behind Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015) and King of the Dancehall (2016), which included the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Fever.” God & Time will be released via TJ Records / Vybz Kartel Muzik and distributed by Zojak World Wide.
In support of the new album, Vybz Kartel will headline Reggae Sumfest on July 18th, alongside Mavado, reuniting two dancehall icons whose rivalry defined the genre throughout the 2000s in a landmark moment for Jamaican music and culture.
Ebuzz News
Denise Belfon Thanks Drake’s ‘OVO’ Team for Inclusion of Her ‘Work’ on New Track.
Canadian rapper, Drake is once again teaming up with Caribbean entertainers, delivering a brand new album called, ‘Maid of Honor,’ which is now available on all streaming platforms. It was one of three albums the artiste simultaneously dropped on May 15th – the other two being ICEMAN and HABIBTI.
One of the singles on ‘Maid of Honor,’ called ‘BBW’ features the work of Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon – her 1998 track, ‘Work.’
The lyrics, ‘Put Yuh Back in It’ became a trending expression on TikTok in 2020 when it became a challenge on the popular platform. That viral opportunity six years ago, led to the song’s resurgence and Belfon’s name being called by younger generations whose parents, aunts and uncles would’ve more than likely grown up on her music and performances in the Caribbean. Fast forward to 2026, and Belfon is once again enjoying a viral moment as news broke that her song had been sampled by Drake. “Everything is legitimate and I want to thank the team – Fabian Alfonso, a copyright specialist out of Trinidad and Tobago ; He was very instrumental in making this deal become reality, said Belfon in a chat with Ebuzztt, before expressing gratitude to several other instrumental people, and Drake’s OVO team.
In 2022, dancehall artiste, Shenseea and rapper, Megan Thee Stallion also sampled ‘Work’ on the single, ‘Lick.’ Belfon, who lives in New York, had, at that time, attended a release party at a nightclub in New York, where Shenseea acknowledged the Soca artiste’s influence on the new release.
The Maid of Honor album delivers 14 singles and added to T&T’s Denise Belfon, Jamaican artiste, Popcaan is also featured on a single called, ‘Amazing Shape.’
Denise Belfon’s personality and charisma has, for a very long time, made her a fan favorite in the Caribbean. A vocal powerhouse and unique stage performer, she has stood the test of time in the Soca music industry, having created massive soca anthems like ‘Work,’ ‘Wine and Bend Over’ and ‘Wining Queen’ among countless other flavorful singles.
