By Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 27th December 2023)- Sugar Mas 52 street activities officially kicked off during the wee morning hours of Tuesday 26th December 2023 with colourful celebrations of paint and powder as well as rags and flags in the streets of Basseterre as revellers jumped, waved and danced during hours of partying.
The well-anticipated national carnival outdoorsy festivity got underway sometime after 5:00 AM on the public holiday festivity in high carnival spirits for the ‘break of day’ celebrations which ended at 12noon sharp. This reporter took to the streets of Basseterre for J’ouvert and quizzing revellers about their experience and also asked a bonus questionahead of that day’s announcementon topic of their pick for Road March.
Here is what they had to say:
Navisca – My J’ouvert experience, it was real good; I’m not gonna lie. First time with the new parade troupe Excess and it was amazing. ‘Ken and Barbie’! [is my Road March pick].” Mr. Richards – J’ouvert is very good this year.
I gotta say we have a lot more bands. I gotta say we’ve been introducing this rope thing in the past 1-2 years now, and I mean, I’m not totally against it and I’m not totally for it but what I like about it is that once you get to a certain point, the rope thing disappears and the
different bands get to join other bands. At the end of the day, we all have friends, we all have families, we all get to be in different bands, we all want to see our different friends, we all want to see our different families and have a little fun, take a whine and it’s like, that’s okay.
There should be no hostility, there should be no like ‘Oh, you should be in this band’ because at the end of the day, once you reach into town it’s all fun, it’s all family, it’s all friends; let’s all have fun and have a good J’ouvert, keep it clean and let’s make Sugar Mas 52 the best ever and so far it’s been great to be honest I’m playing Excess J’ouvert. It’s their first time coming, I must say that I was very skeptical about playing with him for the first time; I did not want to be a guinea pig to be with Excess to be honest…
When they released their lineup and I saw Pumpa on the lineup, I was like I gotta think twice and then, once I saw the full menu like goat water, saltfish and KFC I said ‘Ww’ Excess is going on bad for their first year and I gotta say I’m not disappointed, I’m happy with them. If it was any other band, I would still be happy with them but Excess I told them I’m not disappointed, I’m happy.
For Road march, to be honest with you ‘Ken and Barbie’ [by Nu Vybes Band]. What I like about it right, it might not meet the same the Carnival Committee’s criteria but to be honest with you, I find the Carnival Committee criteria is a bit archaic; it needs to evolve… this is 2023; things don’t stay the same, we evolve and it needs to evolve but to be honest with you ‘Ken and Barbie’ is the best song so far for carnival hands down!
Second best if you ask me is ‘Wrong Man’ by Grandmasters Band. – LOCAL NEWS – 3
KahrieIt’s been amazing, I’m not going to lie to you. It’s been so fun, especially not living here so every time I come home, I come out just to have the best time. Especially, you know, there have been no fights. So definitely a great, great, great experience.
Everybody can just come out and have fun, enjoy themselves, mingle and be one people. Looking forward to next year for sure, for sure, for sure! I’m a part of Red Devils troupe. I’ve always been a part of Red Devils. But I’m going to other troupes just to see how it is.
And all of them are bringing different types of vibes. So if you’re not here, you should definitely make it here next year. Trust me, it’s a vibe! Oh yeah, definitely I have a favourite for road march. I’ve always been a fan of Uncle Gregory and the boys [Gregory ‘Mr.
Mention’ Hobson] so,
Ashmaine (Left)and her friend Thiona (of Red Devils)-St. Kitts J’ouvert is awesome! It’s the – NEWS – best! I am havinga wonderful timeand I would implore anyone to come and enjoy Sugar Mas here in St. Kitts and Nevis. It’s such a good feeling right now enjoying all the good vibes and inner spirits in this moment.
For Road March, I am backing Nu Vybes International Band with ‘Ken and Barbie’. – Ashmaine FRONT PAGE IMAGE -Nicky (left)and her sister Tosshema (Xtreme J’ouvert troupe) -. I’ve been a wonderful type. Thanks to Dr. Drew and the money[workers’ Christmas bonus] that he give me.
I could enjoy myself. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! To the Labour Party and Dr. Drew! Let’s make the carnival bigger, make the carnival better! Bigger, better. For road march, it look like Ras Kelly from Small Axe Band ‘Showcase’TosshemaJ’ouvert!
It’s sweet like sugar!
Andy Caines (President – Dominican Republic Association) “Very good, very good. Everything is nice No problem, everything is good.”
‘Ken and Barbie’ with 740 points and a prize of $10,000. As understood the judging for road march was done between 6:00AM and 10:00AM that morning. In the category of Large J’ouvert Troupes, Red Devils retained their championship spot, with 229 points and a $20,000 cash prize.
Following was Chattabox Jouvert in 1st runner-up position with 223 points and prize of $15,000 while Xtreme Jouvert captured 2nd runner-up place with191 points and a prize of $10,000. Pertaining to the Small J’ouvert Troupes category, Small Axe Band Jouvert Warriors scored a winning 301 points and pocketed a prize of $6,000 followed by Fantasy Jouvert at1st runner-up with 270 Points and $4,000 prize and GM Addix at 2nd runner-up place with a score of 259 points.
Notably, ‘Showcased’ performed by Ras Kelly of Small Axe Band was adjudged the winning tune for the recently held SKELEC Power Soca Monarch competition.
