Soca music is definitely loved and appreciated by many people in Jamaica and the events of Jamaica carnival last weekend demonstrated this. Thousands of Jamaicans joined regional and international tourists who 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 on April 13, and the first-ever WI Fete at the same venue on April 15 attracted thousands of patrons, even as Trinidad's staple events such as Private Ryan's Soca Brainwash, Scorch's Duck Work and Caesar's Army's AM Bush J'Ouvert also drew huge crowds to different locations in and around the capital city Kingston.
[caption id="attachment_1012080" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Patrons take in the action at Jamaica carnival celebrations. - Courtesy Overtime Media[/caption]
Creative carnival decor, themes, customs, aesthetics and soundscapes prevailed throughout the festivities with sprinkles of dancehall and reggae for good measure, similar to the mix experienced in Trinidad Carnival as it has evolved over the past two decades, said a release from Overtime Media.
Soca superstar Machel Montano made note of this phenomenon on April 15 during his first performance with a full band on the island in many years, and 2023 Road March winner Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez also shared a story of a time when soca artistes were not so readily accepted on the island.
[caption id="attachment_1012082" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez talks to the crowd at WI Fete at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. - Courtesy Overtime Media[/caption]
"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 didn't understand Jamaica dem times and ah come here with muh arrogant self and feel ah coulda do wha ah want. Delano from Renaissance 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, Garlin showed masterful crowd control, stage presence and potent delivery, alongside his trademarked freestyling (extemporaneous) skills, the release said.
[caption id="attachment_1012081" align="alignnone" width="1024"] TT's national flag on show at WI Fete at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. - Courtesy Overtime Media[/caption]
The 2023 Road March runner-up, Nailah Blackman and Gamal "Skinny Fabulous" Doyle, also enjoyed their time onstage, 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 Ai
