Comments on: Should JAMAICA Carnival stick to Jamaican culture and music?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 04 May 2024 23:09:42 +0000

So as time passed, since this article was originally written, Jamaica has staged its first DANCEHALL STREET PARADE on February 18, 2024.
The concept of parading through the street of Kingston to the beats of dancehall Music is a reality. The organizers of DANCEHALL WEEK JAMAICA are satisfied with the outcome of the inaugural staging. Video footage can be found on youtube https://youtu.be/BTV3iF66dYg

By: Dj Mega

Dj Mega — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 11:42:28 +0000

i think its good to celebrate carnival with a twist of another culture, if we had carnival based on reggae dancehall instead, it would be like a normal street party or club, hearing what we hear week in week out… soca is a specialist music, seasonal music, meaning its made exclusive with the upcoming carnivals in mind, … it also broaden the minds of the people culturally, & musically.. and boost local tourism as i know people fly down for carnival in Jamaica, even if its for 1 week out of the year, its something different… maybe Jamaica should celebrate reggae/dancehall as well as traditional carnival, not instead of.

my thoughts, nice article tho.

By: Khaalid Rahman

Khaalid Rahman — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 10:04:56 +0000

In reply to Big Mike. Yuh might have taken the article a likkle outta context Bredda. I think the purpose wasn't so much to say that dancehall should definitely be added to Jamaica Carnival as it is to note that Jamaica Carnival as it stands is really not a Jamaica Carnival. But I will say this, I agree with you that if dancehall is to be implemented, what we currently pass as dancehall these days is completely unacceptable. The best idea I hear so far is to uplift and promote Jonkonnu back to the status it was once at and beyond.

By: Khaalid Rahman

Khaalid Rahman — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:52:33 +0000

In reply to Elijah Woolley. Wickid idea Bredren, mi like it.

By: DionneAriane

DionneAriane — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:39:03 +0000

No! I wont forget the Soca vs. Dancehall team 🙂 …
Tailwind I haven’t quite wrapped my head around yet :-s

But yes, Carnival is dying slowly (not only because it has evolved from what it was originally). But worse, because it is not *our* festival, the Jamaican mindset is “Oh well, let it go… what is the “next big thing” that we can import and have the masses jump onto the bandwagon with…”

By: thinkAkil

thinkAkil — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:49:45 +0000

In reply to DionneAriane. Don't forget the "Tailwind" and "Soca Vs Dancehall" teams! All in all I'd say there are a handful of young(er) people who are trying to grow Carnival in Jamaica to what we think it should be. Now, the truth is it will likely still be VERY soca based and as I've pointed out above I'm perfectly fine with this. It's the only time of year here in Jamaica that we get to ENJOY soca. I think Carnival is actually dying a slow death here in Jamaica and would benefit greatly from new blood, new ideas and the energy that a lot of these younger teams bring to the table.... but that's another long post.. Maybe I should go write that now?

By: DionneAriane

DionneAriane — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:17:01 +0000

PS> To add to my already long post— In addition to Island Mas, there is also Gems Jamaica, and Soca Republic… and all are poised to do big things for Jamaica Carnival season– not only Road march day, but the entire season of fetes…

By: Big Mike

Big Mike — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:05:14 +0000

This is a non-issue and not even worth addressing, but since you brought forth the thread, I will address! How many days we have in a year ? Ok, so Carnival is one day, other Soca events relating to Baccanal Jamaica is at the most 7 events, Beach Jouvert , Jouvert, etc . so are that shallow where we can’t have a soca events for a few days….you acting as if all of JA is now on the same page…..that is embracing soca, far from it, so this is a non-issue for the masses…I say leave it 100% soca for the few events, there are endless, and I do mean endless Dancehall events, plus , I am sure 100% of the Jamaicans who are supporting these events ( soca) don’t want the Badman, slack lyrics in we Ting…….furthermore re : Culture, which adult who not part of the industry supporting the current state of Dancehall and that slackness ? few if any .

Who in the right mind want culture of Jamaica to be about Badman ting , Badman lyrics, etc…we are deeper and more culturally than that…look it up, someone said it…We in this Ting from the 1800s……Jonkunno….do yuh research…we been palancing in the streets of Kingston for a few centuries already !

Pineman

By: DionneAriane

DionneAriane — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:16:52 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly with what you have expressed, and I too was fielding discussions about Jamaica Carnival in the few days after Carnival Day.
Now, unfortunately, Jamaica has lost her culture- in that, we import everything that is popular in other countries for our own, just to have some vibes. Jamaicans seem to have forgotten how great Jonkunno was back in the day. All we have now are “Festival” entries that few people pay attention to. When last you see a line pf people clamouring to get into the National Arena to watch the National Song Festival finals/ dances etc?
No, but we pay exorbitantly for Hallowe’en parties, we search through bushes for Easter eggs and chocolates, and we palance and advantage the road Trini style. I absolutely love carnival, and the freedom and happiness I feel when surrounded by the Soca. But not everyone who participates in Jamaica Carnival feels the same: they see it as a great party to wine on nuff woman. OK, fine, wadeva- I will enjoy it for me own reasons. But still, Jamaica Carnival is not about Jamaica Carnival.

And I do not think there should be a Dancehall Carnival… let’s leave it at PassaPassa and such. I agree with Elijah Woolley– if we trying to resuscitate anything, it should be Jonkunno…..

I could wax poetic on this subject, but I seem to have ADD and I know people don’t like reading epistles, and I should get back to my work…
But, I am hoping that Andrew Bellamy and his I Love Soca Committee will be able to hold their own next year carnival season! I do believe that they can change around the carnival scene in Jamaica, and make it great!!

By: SCC

SCC — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:01:28 +0000

Great Insight and i like all the points brought forward for us it has always been a fusion of the Spectale, Vibe and Color Trini Carnival with our Jamaican dancehall culture. We are South Coast Carnival.