There’s a cheat code to enjoying Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago and it’s as simple as choosing the right band to parade the streets on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, from jump. Every band in Trinidad and Tobago offers a unique experience. Every masquerader has an idea of what they’d personally enjoy, so to say one band is better than another, is unnecessary, however, if you’re a VIBE SEEKER, there’s really only one band to choose.
YUMA masqueraders always understand the assignment on the road.
YUMA Vibe was truly a vibe in 2026 and this is turning out to be a trend of sorts. LUXE- the band’s theme this season, offered an array of fabulous, colorful, sexy designs to choose from, but that’s basic in today’s market because truth be told, most, if not all carnival masquerade bands in T&T, deliver top tier costume designs for the road. Trinidad and Tobago isn’t coined ‘The Mecca’ for nothing – this is where the standard for carnival is set! What we will say as it relates to the costume designs and quality however, is that YUMA’s costumes are strong, standing up to the pressure of movement on the road and beautifully pieced together even when it comes to midline and backline sections.
A husband and wife duo who knows how to have a great time.
Now, for those new to this, choosing your band must happen by July/August at latest. One thing that always stands out about YUMA is the fact that the band hosts a lot of big name entertainers. This season, globally recognized sportsman, Dwayne Bravo, artistes like Jadel, Lady Lava, Patrice Roberts, Preedy, Erphaan Alves, Grenada’s Muddy and Tallpree, Blaka Dan and V’Ghn, Christo and influencer and comedian, Jr. Lee were all in the mix, making YUMA a band, loved, trusted and endorsed by the celebs to deliver on vibes and enjoyment. “Yuma is the number 1 band. I’ve been rocking with YUMA for years. We’re enjoying it and it’s a good season,” said Bravo when we met up with him on the road on Carnival Tuesday.
Dwayne Bravo with family friend, Kelly Julien.
A big factor when it comes to carnival enjoyment is that feeling of belonging. One of the awesome things about being a YUMAN is being treated like family. The band is all embracing to women of all shapes and sizes, offering costume options that cater to tiny bodies and the visibly voluptuous alike – something that’s truly admirable in a market that advertises and promotes heavy on sex appeal and beauty.
Take this as your signal to start prepping for 2027. Carnival Monday and Tuesday is set for February 8th and February 9th next year so mind your business and lock in your spot as soon as those sections drop later this year. Oh! And even though we didn’t go in deep on the vibes – TRUST, that’s a given, after all, the best people, with the most vibes always know where to gather and the YUMA squad speaks volumes. Just see for yourself :
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.