Belfon had a spiritual encounter this year ; one that led her to register and deliver an event in New York, coined, “J’ouvert in June.’ Prior to that, she had gotten a taste of the world of event promotion in the US, having been trusted by Jamaican dancehall artist Charly Black to put on his birth night event in in Atlanta, in April. She told us that one night, having cried herself to sleep, she remembers praying for God to lead her to what He wanted her to do with her life. “I said, yuh see all this negativity that was happening around me… I asked God to show me what to do; If I should leave the entertainment industry behind and serve him completely; and then in my dreams my grandmother appeared. She looked at me and said, “Denise, J’ouvert in June- yuh will be alright,”” Saucy related.
The J’ouvert in June concept was not something new. In fact, as Denise told us, her grandmother who had been born in Gouyave, St. John, Grenada, likened Denise’s dancing skills to a Grendadian’s and would tell her that often. “She asked me to do a J’ouvert before she passed away and we did it in Trinidad, first calling it, Aero vs Holli but then we renamed it to ‘J’ouvert in June.” Denise said after her grandmother’s death, she couldn’t bring herself to host the event again, until she appeared to her in her dream in New York.
On June 19th this year, after being restricted for months prior and having very little time to promote the event, Denise Belfon pulled off her first international instalment of ‘J’ouvert in June’, drawing 650 patrons. She thanked friends, JoJo’s Exclusive, Central Clothing, Berry and Bandy for their support, telling of their encouragement to her when, prior to the J’ouvert, she had hosted an event during the pandemic. “We had one week of promotion for that back yard event and we got 380 people to come during the pandemic. Nothing was open yet. I was sneaking and I got through with 380 people and we took it from there,” she said.
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Thankful for small mercies, Denise Belfon is working hard, fighting the odds and learning from her defeats. She has proved her staying power and appeal- a global TikTok challenge in April 2020 producing the unexpected result of 289 million views and streams worldwide and over 3 million TikTok hashtags in her honor. “My niece Britney suggested it to me, and we went with it and the response was unbelievable,” she said with a laugh.
Now, as 2021 rolls hard into summer in the US, Denise is making herself seen, heard and felt. A new single now out, called, “Iz Ah Queen”, the artist is fuelled by passion and driven by a better understanding of the business of the industry that she is apart. Now the face of online radio station New Radio 99.3FM, Denise says she’s giving her all to everything she’s a part of. With regard to the new song, she calls it a ladies’ anthem. “I did this song to make it a summer anthem for ladies all over the world who go through struggles in life, in relationships – being the support system for their families and all else. I’d love to see queens like Spice, Shenseea, Cecile, Estelle Darlings, Heather Headley and all the other queens singing along to it and maybe posting videos online in support of it,” she said, eager to make the best of her musical opportunities.
Asked when she’d be returning to Trinidad and Tobago, Saucy quickly replied, “As soon as the borders reopen.” T&T’s Prime Minister has given the July 17th date for that much anticipated event.
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.
error: This content is protected. if you wish to use this content in anyway please contact us.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.