Latest updates shaping the Caribbean music and carnival scene 22.
MUSIC
Discover the riddims, and where to stream the hottest soca 41.
EVENTS
Your calendar of fetes and shows across the season
REVIEW
12. MIDNIGHT IN RIO
A carnival-inspired theatre by Reuben P Joseph
SOCA PEOPLE
16. VIGGY
Two-time Groovy Soca Monarch pushing Anguilla into the soca spotlight 18. TIAN WINTER
Antigua’s soca king, with 14 Party Monarch crowns, shares his journey as artist and cultural ambassador
MAS PEOPLE
26. DE CORE UK
A look inside the mas band’s story and 2025 road presentation
46. TEARS MAS
United Colours, a new chapter
FEATURES
30. NHC 2025 RESULTS
A full recap of the weekend’s mas, music, and results
32. NHC 2025 GALLERY
44. WHAT’S NEXT
Your guide to upcoming carnivals and festivals after NHC GET LISTED: If you’re a carnival organiser, promoter, mas band, steelband, soca DJ, community group or any other participant feeling left out because we haven’t mentioned your event – or if you’d like to advertise in the magazine or online – the remedy is in your hands. Get in touch by emailing info@socanews.com
PREVIEW
14. KAISO LIME
An all-female cast delivering calypso, extempo, and soca
TRAVEL
38. ST KITTS’ DO NOT DISTURB
A wellness escape offering catamaran sails, starlit sleep therapy, and pure relaxation
PHOTOGRAPHER
PETER HOGAN
PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Joseph Charles jc@socanews.com
CREATIVE
Joseph Charles
SUB EDITOR
Katie Segal katie@socanews.com
CONSULTING EDITOR
Stephen Spark stephen@socanews.com
EDITOR'S LETTER
By all accounts, a good time was had by most at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival, which brought its two days of vibrant parades and celebrations to a close on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August. The colours, the music, and the energy of the masqueraders once again lit up the streets of West London.
That said, there were noticeable challenges this year. Numbers appeared to be lower than in previous years, and several bands reported difficulties, with a clear drop in masquerader participation. These shifts have sparked conversation across the community about how carnival can adapt and grow whilst staying true to its cultural roots.
In this issue, you’ll find our full carnival roundup on pages 30 and 31, capturing some of the most memorable moments from the road. We’ve also featured exclusive interviews with mas bands De Core and Tears Mas, giving insight into their experiences and creative visions for the future.
Soca News has always been dedicated to celebration and promotion of Caribbean culture, but we can’t do it without the support of our community. If you have a passion for writing, storytelling, or sharing your carnival or travel experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Join our growing team of contributors and let your voice resound in print. Send your articles, ideas, or submissions to info@socanews.com, and help us continue spreading the culture far and wide.
YOURS IN SOCA
Joseph Charles
SALES & MARKETING marketing@socanews.com
WORDS
Anthony Salandy, Mia Anthony, Stephanie Coleman, Dunstan Crevalle, Radeya Osman & Stephen Spark
PICTURES
Peter Hogan & Stephen Spark
PUBLISHED BY Soca News Ltd 86-90 Paul Street London, EC2A 4ND
SAINT LUCIA SHOWCASE CONSUMER EDIT; A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC & CULTURE
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority will hold its second consumer event in London as part of the annual Saint Lucia Showcase 2025. Branded The Consumer Edit, the event will give visitors the chance to experience the island’s culture and music in the heart of the capital.
Guests can look forward to a lively programme during the day, featuring live quadrille dancing, Creole language lessons, steel pan music, face painting, sip & paint with Saint Lucian artist Sakey, vendors selling Saint Lucian-inspired products, and family-friendly activities hosted by Brenda Emmanus, OBE.
In the evening, the showcase transforms into a
celebration of Lucian music with performances by steel pan sensation Chazzi, artist-educator Curmiah Lissette, Patois Dancers curated by Jeanefer Jean Charles MBE, and soca star Teddyson John, hosted by Ashley Joseph.
The Saint Lucia Showcase – Consumer Edit takes place on Saturday 20 September 2025 at the Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre Gloucester, 4–18 Harrington Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7 4LH. The event runs in three sessions: 10am–1pm Morning Showcase, 2pm–5pm Afternoon Showcase, and 7pm–10.30pm Evening Showcase.
To purchase tickets, please visit bit.ly/4mRoNod.
SHURWAYNE HOSTS 'TOBAGO LOVE, THE XPERIENCE'
Shurwayne Winchester, proud Tobagonian and soca star, is giving back to his homeland with a special event, Tobago Love, The Xperience, during Tobago's October Carnival. Partnering with Foreign Bass Promotions and MVP, they created this food-inclusive event to showcase Tobago's unique hospitality and culture.
"This is not a hot sun event. We're catering to the feters. We want you comfortable, energised, fed and ready to party," he said.
Known for hits like Dead or Alive, Shurwayne sees the initiative as a way to reciprocate the support Tobago has given him throughout his life and career. Tobago Love is more than just a party; it’s a tourism and cultural showcase designed to attract and retain visitors, raise the island’s profile on the international stage and build connections that go beyond entertainment.
Scheduled for Thursday 23 October, 6pm to11pm, the event welcomes visitors and returning Tobagonians to connect with Winchester's music and personal stories, giving them the real Shurwayne beyond the stage.
SWISS SOCA FESTIVAL –THE SWISS CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE
The Swiss Soca Festival, celebrated as The Swiss Caribbean Experience, will light up Zug with three days of music, culture, and celebration. The festival features performances by Hypasounds, Jadel, Zamoni, Dymez x Dapixel, and more. Highlights include the J'Ouvert Powder Fete, the Neon Fete, live soca shows, steelpan music, Caribbean cuisine, and two unforgettable cruises on Lake Zug.
Running from Friday 5 September to Sunday 7 September 2025, the festival has something for everyone. Whether you're after music, food, or just a dance, this event delivers it all.
If you’re travelling from London, the easiest route is to fly into Zurich Airport and take a direct train to Zug. The journey takes just 30–40 minutes, with frequent services throughout the day, making it quick and convenient to reach the heart of the festival. For more information on how to be part of this year's Swiss Soca Festival, please visit soca-festival.ch.
YUNG BREDDA RELEASES REMIX OF ‘THE GREATEST BEND OVER’ WITH CHLÖE AND MOLIY
In August 2025, Trinidadian soca artist Yung Bredda released a remix of his hit The Greatest Bend Over, featuring American singer Chlöe and Ghanaian star Moliy, known for Shake It to the Max. The remix followed a July version featuring Sean Paul, which boosted the track's global reach.
The latest mix was released just before Notting Hill Carnival 2025, accompanied by a video that highlights Caribbean carnival culture, including clips from the Saint Lucia Carnival, which Chlöe attended earlier this summer.
The Greatest Bend Over was initially released for Trinidad Carnival 2025, and quickly became the standout on the Big Links Riddim, outshining songs from Machel Montano and Kes. With over 44.4 million streams, the smash hit earned Bredda three nominations at the third Caribbean Music Awards on Thursday 28 August: Zess-Steam Artist of the Year, People’s Choice, and Soca Impact Award.
However, Yung Bredda did not attend the ceremony, stating that he felt bad after not receiving the awards he had previously won. Still, he is proud of his journey, and of the positive impact he has made to Caribbean culture.
CARL GABRIEL'S MERMAID FOR PADDINGTON ARTS' JUNIOR QUEEN
Carnival technician Carl Gabriel, renowned for his wire-bending and papier-mâché artistry, showcased his latest creation in an interview with AP Archive ahead of the 2025 Notting Hill Carnival. His mermaid-themed costume for the Junior Queen of Paddington Arts was crafted from recycled and natural materials, highlighting sustainable practices.
The design, featuring an ornate headpiece and wings, was tested directly on the young wearer to strike a balance between artistry, comfort, and movement. Gabriel explained that such costumes demand both strength and mindset, while also stressing the importance of passing on traditional skills that connect creativity with science.
Looking ahead, he revealed new projects for Diwali and Day of the Dead, and encouraged emerging artists to, "be an individual… create your own style.”
UK CARIBBEAN FOOD AWARDS 2025
Now in its third year, the UK Caribbean Food Awards (UKCFA) returns on Monday 24 September 2025, featuring twenty categories across the food and drinks industry and recognising the outstanding contributions of Caribbean chefs, restaurants, street food vendors, bakers, caterers, food bloggers, and brands.
Founded in 2023 by Dawn Burton and Marsha Barnett to celebrate and recognise the Caribbean influence firmly embedded in British culture, the awards will be marked by a red-carpet ceremony at the Hilton London Croydon Hotel from 5.30pm to 11pm, complete with a Caribbean buffet and live entertainment. For tickets and details, visit ukcaribbeanfoodawards.co.uk.
CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS 2025
The full list of winners from the third Caribbean Music Awards will be released on Friday 12 September at 11pm EST, timed to coincide with the BET and Trace broadcast premiere of the show. The ceremony took place in New York on 28 August 2025, celebrating leading Caribbean artists with live performances, tributes, and special honours.
ANTIGUA AUTHORITIES ADVOCATE KNIGHTHOODS FOR BURNING FLAMES
The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has backed a proposal by Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries, Daryll Matthew, for the members of the legendary Burning Flames band to receive knighthoods during the nation's 44th Independence celebrations in November.
Burning Flames are Oungku (Clarence Edwards), King Onyan (Toriano Edwards), Bubb-I (David Edwards), and Foxx (Rone Watkins).
Officials described the honour as long overdue, praising the group as cultural icons whose music shaped Antigua and Barbuda's identity.
Formed in 1984, Burning Flames recently celebrated 40 years of music, transforming carnival with 17 Road March titles and countless hits.
MIDNIGHT IN RIO
BY REUBEN P. JOSEPH
–THEATREMEETSCARNIVAL-
WORDS | STEPHANIE COLEMAN
Reuben P. Joseph, based in London, is an Artistic Creative Director and Fashion / Beauty Pageant Choreographer with more than 20 years’ experience. Of Black African descent, Joseph has worked extensively in the UK’s Afro and Asian fashion industries, gaining recognition for his stage productions and fashion choreography. His latest work, Midnight in Rio, marked a new chapter, combining theatre with the traditions of carnival.
The production took place on Wednesday 20 August 2025 at Meadows, Woodfield Road, London W9, and was choreographed by Joseph under the banner of Kavanage Couture.
Dedicated to the memory of Onike Joseph, Phillip Yearwood, Jacqueline Sealey, and Rocky Charles, the show featured costumes designed by Kutipz Kouture, Helen Davenport, Leona Lupwar Couture, Ainsley Yearwood, and RPJ.
Ahead of the production, Joseph shared insights into the inspiration, challenges, and vision behind the show. “Barry Manilow’s Copacabana — the story unfolds” inspired the creation of Midnight in Rio, which he described as being for “anyone who enjoys Brazilian culture and that of Trinidad and Tobago.” Reflecting on the process, he noted, “Research, lack of sleep, and finances have all been a challenge.” As for what he hoped audiences would take away, Joseph said he wanted them, “Very informed, while enjoying a performance that fuses two of the world’s greatest carnivals. Midnight in Rio is a celebration of the people of Brazil through their culture, music, dance, and carnival, alongside the essence of Trinidad and Tobago, capturing the ‘Spirit of the Caribbean: Rum and Coca Cola’.”
PREVIEW
SOCA DIVETTES
KAISO LIME
LADIES NIGHT
WORDS | SOCA NEWS STAFF
The Kaiso Lime on Saturday 9 August featured an all-male cast, delivering calypso, extempo, and soca and introduced new talent Jeremy Adams to the stage.
The subsequent edition, on Saturday 13 September 2025, celebrates the ladies, with performances by The Soca Divettes – a Londonbased trio made up of Michelle Cross-Glasgow, Geraldine Reid, and Carlene McLean. They have between them provided backing vocals for an impressive range of musicians in multiple genres, across the spectrum of soul, reggae, soca and mainstream pop.
Also performing is Pan Diva (Debra Romain), a UK-born steel pan vocalist of Trinidadian descent. With over 30 years of playing pan and 20 years of teaching, she has led multiple bands to Panorama
titles and now directs Cambridge University Steel Orchestra and the all-female Women of Steel.
Last but not least, the show will feature nineyear-old up-and-coming Grenadian singer Riki Rae. She first impressed audiences at Kaiso Lime in June 2024, where she performed her song Grenada under the guidance of Alexander D'Great. This September, she will return to the stage to perform live once again.
The show will be hosted by Giselle Carter, a presenter, vocalist, and designer known for her versatile performances across soul, R&B, funk, soca, calypso, reggae, and Afrobeats.
Expect DJ Candy Pops to keep the beats flowing, delicious Caribbean food on sale, and the same warm, carnival-inspired atmosphere. Organised by Talk Yuh Talk, this free event runs from 8pm to 10:30pm at The Tabernacle, 34–35 Powis Square, London, W11 2AY.
SOCA PEOPLE
CINEMATIC’ SUCCESS
VIGGY WINS AGAIN AT ANGUILLA’S SOCA MONARCH
WORDS | STEPHANIE COLEMAN
Viggy (Viglef Gumbs) was crowned Groovy Soca Monarch for the second year in a row, winning the 2025 Flow Soca Monarch on 27 July with his single Cinematic. The event, part of the Anguilla Summer Festival, saw him deliver an outstanding performance at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre.
Along with the title, Viggy took home EC$10,000 (approx. £3,000), a performance slot at the St. Kitts Soca Monarch finals, and EC$6,000 (approx. £1,800) to cover travel costs. He described the victory as a win for both himself and Anguilla, emphasising his mission to have the island recognised in wider soca discussions.
“This victory is not just mine — it’s for Anguilla and for every fan who has supported me along this journey,” he said. Since his first win in 2024, Viggy has worked to promote Anguilla’s soca presence across the region, including a promotional visit to Trinidad and Tobago with his winning song Energy. “It’s sad to say, but when discussing soca music in the Caribbean, the island of Anguilla is seldom mentioned in mainstream conversations, and I want to change that,” he said.
Looking ahead, Viggy plans to focus on regional and international performances, collaborations, and new releases.
With more than a decade of dominance on the soca stage, Tian Winter has carved out his place as one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most celebrated artists. The multi– Party Monarch and Road March champion has not only built a reputation at home but has also carried his country’s music and culture across international stages from Notting Hill to Caribana, Miami Carnival, and beyond. Since being named a cultural ambassador in 2013, Tian has embraced the responsibility of representing Antigua and Barbuda to the world, blending soca with R&B, reggae, and pop to create a sound that is both distinctive and global.
Speaking with Soca News fresh from Notting Hill Carnival 2025, Tian reflects on his journey, his music, and his vision for the future of soca:
You’ve won 14 Party Monarch crowns and a Carnival Road March title. How have these achievements shaped your journey as an artist?
Antigua is a very competitive place as far as soca music, and the competition is really a platform to give artists a voice so that they can propel to the next level. I’m one example who has come through that road as far as competing over the years, building myself as a name-brand artist in Antigua and out of Antigua as well. It does help because Creole people like accolades. So when you say something like, “Hey, this is Tian Winter, multi- Party Monarch champion, Road March, whatever,” that says something. People like that type of stuff. So the accolade itself is something to be proud of, and people like that stuff — so it helps.
Since 2013, you’ve represented Antigua and Barbuda as a cultural ambassador. What does that role mean to you, and how do you carry it through your music?
This role means a lot to me because I remembered when I just started doing music and I would see the ones who have gone before me, like Burning Flames and Tizzy and Claudette. I’ve always said to myself that one day I want to be one who also represents the country on a big level. So for me, it’s an awesome feeling and big up to the government at the time who took that initiative and made me a cultural ambassador. And as far as the music, well, that is why I try to make music of such that I can represent my country well. That’s why I try to stay away from certain topics in soca and keep my music commercialised and that it’s rated for everyone.
Your sound fuses soca with R&B, reggae, and pop. What inspired you to bring these genres together?
It’s how I was raised. I was raised on a lot of R&B, gospel. It was a melting pot of music, but mostly it was like R&B, gospel, soft rock — that type of stuff. So that was
the music I was used to. I mean, there was dancehall here and there. There were a few calypsoes that you would hear but mostly, because I grew up in a Christian home, you wouldn’t hear the music that’s on the streets, in the home. So, I had an early love for the softer type of music, R&B naturally — and also I’m a singer — I just decided, you know what, how can I be different? Let me try to fuse the sweetness and the smoothness of R&B, the little grittiness of dancehall, and see how I can find my niche within the soca industry. And it kind of worked out.
You’ve performed at major festivals including Notting Hill Carnival, Caribana, Miami Carnival, and the St. Kitts Music Festival. What has the experience of being on these international stages been like for you?
Sometimes it’s surreal, because to some people I am 'Tian Winter,' but to me, it’s a humbling journey knowing where I’m coming from. Even though I’m not where I want to be as yet, I’m definitely not where I was. And seeing myself on these stages, different parts of the world, it’s a great feeling to know that I can represent my country. I was just a little regular boy from Antigua who had a dream. I loved music and I just had a dream that I want to be doing music as my profession. I’m just so blessed and thankful and humble that music can take me to different parts of the world and I can do what I love and entertain people and they can enjoy and have some fulfilment as well, just as much as I do.
Your 2019 hit Do Wah You Want topped Apple Music in Antigua for more than two months. What do you think makes that song—and your music in general—connect so strongly
with listeners?
In all honesty, that Do Wah You Want itself is a very special song. From the day that I received the beat and the producer sent me the beat for that song, I just knew it was different. I can’t tell you, I can’t relate to you verbally what makes it special, it’s just hearing the beat and just knowing that, this beat is different. When I received it, I said I had to do a song on that beat and Do Wah You Want is what we came up with — and the people just loved it. It was a big hit for Antigua’s Carnival 2019 and it crossed over. I also did a remix with Rock City out of the Virgin Islands; that was well received as well. The people just loved it, and when people love it, they go and search it up, they listen to it over and over — and I guess that contributed to it being at number one on the Apple charts for two months.
Soca is still underrepresented in the UK compared to reggae. What do you hope to achieve during this visit, and how do you see soca’s future in the UK and globally?
Well, the mission we came on this specific Notting Hill Carnival was to promote Antigua and Barbuda as a tourist destination, to promote Antigua and Barbuda’s carnival and to promote ourselves as artists and our music. The word is that Notting Hill Carnival is the second biggest carnival in the world, and being on the road yesterday, that’s probably one of the biggest carnivals to date that I have been to. And they’re saying that it’s about 1.3 million persons on the road, and it’s definitely a majority of soca music being played on the road. So there’s definitely a market for soca music, even though some people don’t categorise it as a mainstream genre, they have it as an underground. There’s a lot that can be accomplished
once we get the right persons in the right positions to propel soca the way it needs to be. Not just only Antigua, not only Grenada, not only Trinidad, Barbuda and all the respective Caribbean islands — but if we channel or package soca music as one music terms of one genre. Because Jamaica doesn’t have anybody to share it with; Jamaica has reggae, and Jamaica packaged reggae and dancehall and they pushed it out, and Jamaica is doing great, as we see. Jamaican reggae music and dancehall music global, it’s recognised by everyone. don’t know if it’s the diversity amongst the islands that do soca music, I don’t know if it’s a situation where we all have our unique differences and people just are not up to speed on what all the differences are and what’s happening. So I can understand the slight confusion to some, but I think once we get it right and start to really package soca music as a Caribbean island collective and not just one island, I think we can get much further. So I think the mission for me is for my music to reach the masses, to reach the whole world. I want to have a huge international soca hit or multiple international soca hits, performing globally in countries that I can’t even pronounce. That’s the mission for me.
Is there a final word or comment you’d like to share with us? I want to big up to the Antiguan Tourism UK branch for having us here and accommodating us. I want to big up Island Mas, Bones for accommodating us as well and being part of the whole experience with the J’Ouvert and the mas on the road on Monday. It was lovely, I had a ball and I would say mission accomplished. know we still have a lot of work to do, but definitely next year, 2026 Notting Hill Carnival, we will be back for sure.
the way Antigua, Trinidad, channel music in Jamaica with; and is I amongst don’t what’s the think really Caribbean further. for reach multiple even me. comment want being a the on and I do, Notting sure.
MUSIC
NEW SOCA RELEASES
HERE ARE SOME OF THE NEW RELEASES YOU CAN LISTEN TO AT SOCANEWS.COM/MUSIC. 01. COOKING
FARMER NAPPY
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
02. WIKKED
CHEV RICH
ST. KITTS & NEVIS
03. BACKGROUND
ERPHAAN ALVES
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 04. BENOVA
COLLEGE BOY JESSE & SACKIE
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
05. IRON MAN
DEFPRINCE!
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 06. SHOW ME
STARBOY CLARKE, MEEKS & JUSS LIZZ
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
07. RUM INSIDE MY CUP
JURNEE LIVE
ST. KITTS & NEVIS
08. BIG CONTAINER
SWAGGER DAN GRENADA
09. DO YUH TING
M1 AKA MENACE
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
10. OWN WAY
GVON
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
11. WELCOME BACK
MR. LEE
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
12. FRIENDSHIP
DEVON GEORGE
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
13. COMPLICATED
MARIE PASCALE & ARTHUR ALLAIN
SAINT LUCIA
14. ROCK WITH ME
TORI ELLE
SAINT LUCIA
15. OLD & GREY
HEY CHOPPI
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
16. MY GIRL
PREEDY
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
ALBUMS/RIDDIMS
RECENTLY RELEASED RIDDIMS
A| ARTISTS • P| PRODUCER • Y| YEAR • R| RELEASE DATE
BLUE NINJA RIDDIM
A| KING BUBBA FM, LIL RICK, PAHJO, PROBLEM CHILD & OMAIAH HALL
P| KING BUBBA FM (MIGHTY PLATTA) JUS
D & DWAINGEROUS
Y| 2025
BIG LINKS RIDDIM
A| FULL BLOWN, MACHEL MONTANO, YUNG BREDDA & KES THE BAND
A| RICH PERSAD, DE LANOCHE, THIS IS KASH, MIGUEL MAESTRE, KI, JAXX & MUTHONI
P| RICH PERSAD
Y| 2025
ISLAND VYBZ RIDDIM
A| VYBZSTARR,COCOA SCORPION & MISTA DAVID
P| VYBZSTARR Y| 2026
MARKET VENDOR RIDDIM
A| ARTHUR ALLAIN, HYPA SOUNDS, MOTTO, SKINNY FABULOUS & IMANI RAY
P| VIBEZ PRODUCTIONZ
Y| 2025
BLACK GOLD RIDDIM
A| ANDREW 'HITZ' PHILLIP, DONKEY, LAVAMAN & INSPECTOR
P| ANDREW 'HITZ' PHILLIP Y| 2025
MUSIC
RADIO SHOWS + STREAMS
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOCA ON THE AIRWAVES, THERE ARE MYRIAD STREAMS AVAILABLE. WE'VE LISTED ONLY THE MORE PERMANENT SHOWS.
WEDNESDAY
9-11pm GMT
THE RDR SHOW
DJ CREDABLE
Bakahnal Radio bakahnalradio.co.uk
THURSDAY
7-9pm GMT
THE BREAKAWAY SHOW
DJ DIGGA D
Bakahnal Radio bakahnalradio.co.uk
3-6pm GMT
SOCA 2D WORLD
DJ ROCKSHUN
I Chunes Radio ichunesradio.com
8-10pm GMT
IMOVE
DJ REE
The Frontline Radio flrradio.com
FRIDAY
6pm GMT
THE ARTICLE ONE SHOW
DJ BADJOE
The Frontline Radio flrradio.com
3-6pm GMT
SOCA AND COCKTAILS
DJ LOKDWN
I Chunes Radio ichunesradio.com
SATURDAY
12-2pm GMT
SOCA IS WE
DJ PIPER
Roots FM 95.4 ukrootsfm.com
12-2pm GMT
THE MIGHTY HITMAN SHOW
D’MIGHTY HITMAN
The Frontline Radio flrradio.com
1-4pm GMT
THE SOCA LINK SHOW
MR GENERAL, AJ SOCA CAMACHO AND 1LAMBZ
OnTop Radio UK ontopfm.net
2-4pm GMT
THE CHECK IN THE VIBES CURATOR The Frontline Radio flrradio.com
6pm GMT
JAKK RUSSELL
Bakahnal Radio bakahnalradio.co.uk
SUNDAY
12-2pm GMT
THE CARIBBEAN AFFAIR
DJ MARTIN JAY
Bakahnal Radio bakahnalradio.co.uk
10am-12pm GMT
EASY SUNDAYS
NEIL MATTEI
The Frontline Radio flrradio.com
12-2pm GMT
DJ TORO
Bakahnal Radio + Team Soca teamsoca.com/shows/dj-toro
5-7pm GMT
LUSH SOCA SUNDAYS
CHÉ IN THE MIXX
Robbo Ranx Radio robboranx.com/listenlive
12-2pm GMT
HIGH NOON SHOWDOWN
D'RANGER
The Frontline Radio flrradio.com
2-4pm GMT
SUNDAY SKOOL
D'MIGHTY HITMAN
The Frontline Radio flrradio.com
9-11pm GMT
THE REAL
CARIBBEAN GOLD SHOW DE ADMIRAL
Unity Live Radio unityliveradio.co.uk
ANGELA DUNCANTHOMPSON ON DECORE UK’SBLUE FIRE THE MINERS’ QUEST
WORDS | STEPHANIE COLEMAN
Born in London and raised in Jamaica, Angela Duncan-Thompson has lived a journey deeply rooted in culture, creativity, and community. Her love of dance first introduced her to Carnival. Since 1991, she has been a constant presence in Notting Hill Carnival, from her days as Carnival Queen with the Yaa Asantewaa Carnival Band and as former Chair of CAMF, and her current leadership roles as Director of De Core UK.
With a passion for service and creativity, Angela continues to support the carnival community whilst shaping her own artistic vision through De Core UK.
For Carnival 2025, De Core UK presented Blue Fire: The Miners’ Quest, a theme inspired by the mythical Blue Diamond and the eternal human pursuit of freedom, fortune, and legacy.
Soca News spoke to Angela Duncan-Thompson just before the Notting Hill Carnival; she shared her thoughts on the inspiration and journey behind the presentation.
What does Carnival mean to you personally?
So, personally, carnival is the remembrance of the fight for freedom from a history of slavery and colonisation, and as a people, our village mentality is what keeps and supports us.
We revel in community and unity of purpose by having this celebration, so we portray this as a mockery of the original European carnivals, enactments of our own cultural inheritance, and dramatisation of modern and relevant issues we wish to highlight. So, it is important to remember, never forget, and keep the legacy of our forefathers. That's what carnival means to me.
How has your journey—from Carnival Queen and now leading De Core UK— shaped the way you approach playing mas and leading others on the road?
My journey from a carnival queen to leading
De Core is a long and diverse one, and you know, with me working 9 to 5, I still found time to do carnival consultation, carnival productions, and even mentoring others, as well as sitting on various boards, all relevant and in some connection to carnival. So, these opportunities have given me the experience and built upon my business and leadership skills. I took up the reins of leading De Core after the death of my husband, Shabaka Thompson, and I didn't really know that I was ready for this particular role, even though I've done, you know, led various carnival committees, various groups over the years or whatever.
But this was sort of special, because this group came out of the Yaa Asantewaa Arts and Community Centre, where we had a Yaa Asantewaa Carnival group. And the core of the group, which was like the main executive, had left some time ago to create themselves into what we now called De Core. And with the help of my team, it was a smoother transition than I thought.
So, it wasn't too challenging, but the transition was good for me.
DE CORE, NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2025
The theme for 2025, Blue Fire: The Miners’ Quest, carries powerful legend and symbolism.
The theme Blue Fire is really powerful and you're right, it has symbolism. In terms of the Blue Fire: The Miner's Quest and why we chose that particular theme, it was because we had received a drawing from Donna Philip Ford and were asked whether we could build this costume. But I could never defend the answer from the designer as to what it meant, or what it meant to him when he drew it. So we did our own research, and boy, was it deep.
The thing is, the blue diamond concept means different things to different races of people and different cultures. So we said, why don't we look from our point of view, from a carnival point of view? How can we write a story that would be impactful? And so we challenged each other. Everybody went out, came back with a little thing of what they thought, what they found, what they think. So eventually we found that this mythical gem, which is really a gem—it was a gem with a
mythical story. It had true value. It was a treasure from Africa. So, it had high value. It's a diamond. Diamonds are treasured everywhere. But there were a lot of legends around it. So we had to choose one for ourselves and then write a story around it.
And by doing that, we created the Blue Fire: A Miner's Quest. Because we looked at it in a practical form: people go searching for this thing. But the indigenous people from where it was, they probably just used it because it was there. But you had people who came and knew the value in the Western world. And your whole history comes back to you of how they came, they took, they left us without. And you can now go to the British Museum or somewhere and see something of value.
How will De Core UK bring this story to life on the road in 2025?
So, this whole idea of people having something of value which they don't really understand the true value - as far as Western thinking is concerned - they come over from Europe, or wherever, and they come and they literally trick you into giving up what you think is of not very high value, but they know what the worth is. And then they use you to get it and get more. And then you find your whole life is taken over.
And when we were doing this, you know, everything was just coming one after the other, one after the other, one after the other. Oh my God, this would make a great story. But can it be told in one year? No. So in 2025, we're doing part one, which we call The Call of the Earth, and we're going to just tell it as we see it.
What impact or lasting message do you hope masqueraders and the public will take from Blue Fire: The Miners’ Quest? It will impact carnival because we're going to dramatise it. But because De Core people are going to do it, we're going to have a narrator, and the narrator is going to bring out the whole thing. And that is how we're going to impact. And we're going to let people think, you know, what is next? Because this is going to come in more than one part.
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2025 RESULTS FEATURE
Over one million people joined Europe’s largest street festival of Caribbean culture, Notting Hill Carnival, on 24 and 25 August 2025. Sunday featured the Children’s Day Parade and dutty mas, with steelbands, sound systems, and stages playing reggae, soca, calypso, and samba. Monday closed with the adult parade, where mas bands in (mostly) feathered costumes marched alongside Brazilian samba groups. Competitions, including steel band and soca contests, wrapped up the weekend, with support from sponsors such as Mielle Organics UK.
SAT 23 AUG
UK PANORAMA COMPETITION
1st Mangrove Steelband
2nd Real Steel
3rd Metronomes Steel Orchestra
4th Pan Nation
SUN 24 AUG
CHILDREN’S BANDS – SMALL
1st Funatik Mas
2nd Tropical Isles
3rd Caribbean Sessions
CHILDREN’S BANDS –MEDIUM
1st Mahogany Carnival Arts
2nd Mangrove Youth
3rd D Riddim Tribe
STEELBAND
1st Panectar
2nd Pantonic
3rd Mangrove
BRAZILIAN BANDS
1st Dende Nation
2nd Tribo
3rd Kinetika Bloco
CMA SOCA ON THE MOVE COMPETITION
1st UCOM Carnival
2nd Colours Carnival
3rd Chocolate Nation
4th Soca Massive Fancy Sailors
MON 25 AUG
DUTTY MAS
1st Island Mas
2nd UCOM Carnival
3rd TT Mudders Hype
STEELBAND
1st Real Steel
2nd Ebony
3rd Metronomes
SMALL BAND
1st Soca Massive Fancy Sailors
2nd De Core LTD
3rd Paddington Arts
MEDIUM BAND
1st Mahogany
2nd Elimu
3rd Caribbean Sessions
LARGE BAND
1st UCOM
2nd Reign Mas
3rd Hype Mas
BRAZILIAN BANDS
1st Imperia De Rainha
2nd Paraiso Samba
3rd Batala
CMA SOCA ON THE MOVE COMPETITION
1st Colours Carnival
2nd TEARS Mas
3rd UCOM Carnival
4th Tropical Isles Mas
NOTTING CARNIVAL
GALLERY
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WORDS | SOCA NEWS STAFF
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YOUR CARNIVAL FETE LIST IS POWERED BY
YOUR SOCA FETE LIST IS POWERED BY
DON’T KNOW WHERE TO GO, OR WHAT TO DO?
Our events listing is your go-to guide for staying in the know. We’ll list any soca fête or Caribbean-related event we hear about, wherever it’s happening. If you’re a promoter, make sure your event is included by sending the details and a copy of your flyer to events@socanews.co.uk
SEPT 2025
SAT 06/ SEPT
REMEDY EVENTS
ONE MORE JAM
@ Roundwood Park, Harlesden Road, NW10 3SH. Time 1-9pm. Price £35-£45
GRENADA VOLUNTARY HOSPITAL COMMITTEE CARIBBEAN
SUMMER EDIT
@ St. Mary’s Church Hall, Brentmead Gardens, NW10 7ED. Time 2-9pm. Price Free
FUNATIK MAS & ONTURAJ MAS LAS LAP PARTY
@ Salt Lounge, 269 West End Lane, NW6 1QS. Music By Funatik DJs & Martin Jay. Time 10pm-3am. Price Free.
SUN 07/ SEPT
REAL COMMUNITY KIDDIES CARNIVAL
@ Roundwood Park, Harlesden Road, NW10 3SH. Time 12-6pm. Price £10-£15.
SOCA BINGO UK SOCA BINGO UK
@ Fire, 39 Parry Street, SW8
1RT. Time 3-7pm. Price £13£22.
SAT 13/ SEPT
TALK YUH TALK KAISO LIME LADIES NIGHT
@ The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, W11 2AY. Hosted By Giselle. Featuring Live Soca Divettes, Debra Pan Diva, Giselle Carter & Riki Rae. Time 8-10pm. Price Free
BARBADOS CULTURAL ORGANISATION WE GATHERIN @ Faces Night Club, 458-462
Cranbrook Road, Gants Hill, IG2 6LE. Time 9-11pm.
SAT 20/ SEPT
SAINT LUCIA TOURISM AUTHORITY SAINT LUCIA SHOWCASE 2025 – CONSUMER EDIT
@ The Conservatory, Millennium Gloucester Hotel, 4-18 Harrington Gardens, SW7 4LH. Time 10am-10pm.
DJ STYLZ UK RIDDIMS IN LONDON
@ The Camden, 65 Crowndale Road, NW1 1TN. Music By Stylz UK, Supa Nytro, Triple M, Supertrini Vibes, Majikal, Izzi & Rikkie D. Time 10.30pm-4am. Price £22.
SAT 27/ SEPT
CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE TEAM THE CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE
@ Holiday Inn LondonKensington High Street, Wrights Lane, W8 5SP. Time 7pm-1am. Price £59.
SUN 28/ SEPT
SOCA FRENZY SOCA FRENZY ON DE RIVER – THE OFFICIAL END OF SUMMER BOATRIDE PARTY
@ Tower Millennium Pier, EC3N 4DT. Time 12-5pm. Price £25-£30.
@ Oakington Manor Primary School, Oakington Manor Drive, Wembley, HA9 6NF. Music By DJ Scotty, Kori, Mark - Professor, Rocky Boss & Terry Bee. Time 1pm-12am. Price £5-£35.
SAT 11/ OCT
THE RUM EXPERIENCE CO LTD THE RUMFEST 2025
@ The ILEC Conference Centre, 47 Lillie Road, SW6 1UD. Time 11am-7pm. Price £50-£65.
JUST INCARNIVAL CARNIVAL UNPLUGGED III
@ Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA. Featuring Live Joshua Regrello. Time 7.309pm. Price £10-£25.
SUN 12/ OCT
THE RUM EXPERIENCE CO LTD THE RUMFEST 2025
@ The ILEC Conference Centre, 47 Lillie Road, SW6 1UD . Time 11am-5pm. Price £40-£55.
FRI
17/ OCT
ST. LUCIA ASSOCIATION OF LONDON JOUNEN KWEYOL BRISTOL WEEKEND
@ Bristol. Time 17-19 Oct, all day. Price £300-£350.
SUN 19/ OCT
LIGHTNING ENTERTAINMENT 758 DOMINO TOURNAMENT
@ TBC. Time 3-11pm. Price £20.
SAT 25/ OCT
CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE TEAM THE CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE
@ Holiday Inn LondonKensington High Street, Wrights Lane, W8 5SP. Time 7pm-1am. Price £59.
NOV 2025
SAT 1/ NOV
WE LIMING THE DUTCH INVASION
@ Gill Banquet Hall, 11 Sunbeam Road, NW10 6JP. Featuring Live Sudir Shewdat, Sandesh Sewdien, Varsha Sewdajal & the Energy Band. Music By DJ Sonic, DJ Simply E, DJ Slick Rick & DJ Cay Cay. Time 6pm. Price £20-£30.
TO SUBMIT AN EVENT EMAIL EVENTS@SOCANEWS.CO.UK
You are strongly advised to check with the event promoter, as details may change or events may be cancelled. We make every effort to ensure the information on this page is accurate, double- and triple-checking our dates, but if you spot an error or know of a carnival or event we’ve missed, please let us know by emailing events@socanews.co.uk.
FEATURE
UPCOMING CARNIVALS & FESTIVALS
We’re heading into the final months of 2025, but the calendar is still packed with carnivals and festivals. From Miami to Montserrat, the season brings music, food, and parades that stretch through the holidays and into the New Year. Here’s a look at what’s coming up between September and December.
THU 4 - MON 12 OCT
MIAMI CARNIVAL
MIAMI, USA
North America’s largest carnival, held over Columbus Day Weekend with J’Ouvert, Panorama, Junior Carnival, and Parade & Concert.
FRI 24 - SUN 26 OCT
WORLD CREOLE
MUSIC FESTIVAL
DOMINICA, WI
The 25th-anniversary celebration of the music festival with Creole genres and international stars.
FRI 24 - SUN 26 OCT
TOBAGO CARNIVAL
TOBAGO, WI
Celebration of liberation through rituals, revelry and flaunting Tobago-centric uniqueness rooted in folk tradition.
THU 6 – SUN 9 NOV BARBADOS
FOOD AND RUM FESTIVAL
BARBADOS, WI
Local chefs and mixologists are joined by international celebrity chefs to create exciting culinary delights during the annual festival, with preliminary activities happening in the weeks before.
THU 13 – SUN 16 NOV
DUBAI CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
DUBAI, UAE
A four-day celebration with soca workshops, concerts, J’Ouvert brunch, and a grand carnival parade.
FRI 12 DEC 2025FRI 2 JAN 2026
SUGAR MAS
ST. KITTS & NEVIS , WI
Holiday-season carnival with J’Ouvert, street parades, music competitions, and folklore displays.
SAT 13 DEC 2025THU 1 JAN 2026
MONTSERRAT CARNIVAL
MONTSERRAT, WI
Year-end celebration with calypso, J’Ouvert, and a New Year’s Day parade.
TEARSMAS 2025 UNITED COLOURS, A NEW CHAPTER
WORDS | STEPHANIE COLEMAN
Since its launch in 2010 by founder Morris Aberdeen, Tears Mas has been a creative force on the Notting Hill Carnival stage, blending music, artistry, and culture into unforgettable experiences. Known for its groundbreaking concerts and strong presence on the road, the band has now entered a new chapter under the 2025 theme, United Colours. This year marks a bold rebirth, as Tears Mas redefines its vision to focus on unity, boutique-style mas, and high-quality experiences.
In this interview, Morris Aberdeen reflects on the season so far, the inspiration behind United Colours, the band’s evolution over the past 15 years, and his message of unity for the global soca movement.
SOCA ARTIST ANIKA BERRY
How has the 2025 carnival season been for Tears Mas so far, and what have been the highlights under the United Colours theme?
This year has been a slow year, but we had planned to scrap like 15 years of our work and rebuild in a totally different way, because of the fact that there are different types of challenges postCOVID. And we wanted to change the sort of trajectory, the energy that Tears Mas represents. Because we came out as a band doing loads of concerts — and that massive concerts, big artists, really massive DJs, loads of people. So we thought targeting a sort of boutique-style band —kind of more boutique style, more manageable and more upmarket, high-quality sort of services and stuff — was a better approach. And that's where we are at.
What inspired this year’s United Colours theme, and how does it connect with the spirit of Carnival?
The idea of the theme, United Colours, we wanted to introduce a unified flag, a unified concept of people within the diaspora. Because I think sometimes what happens is that, because we are coming from this sort of Caribbean culture, we are very separated, although we might seem unified.
So we come in from cultures with sort of interruptions from Africa mainly, and Europe and India mixed, but dominated by the African continent and the African energy. And we landed on plantations, and we've managed to perpetuate a certain level of separation.
But I wanted to use the word United Colours almost to say united people. So the colours are a symbol of the people.
How do you feel Tears Mas has evolved since its start in 2010, especially in terms of creativity and vision?
Well, it's evolved a lot, because when we came out from a section in one of the most prominent mas bands of Notting Hill Carnival between sort of 2001 to 2009, which is Poison UK. We were a section in Poison UK.
So we came out from that, and when we started in 2010, we wanted to almost continue what Poison UK was doing, which is why we took on the concerts. We did a concert in 2009 with the likes of Bunji, Shadow, KI and then we went on to doing a Machel Montano concert, On My Way, with the likes of Skinny Fabulous and Olatunji. And then we
went on to do another one with Buss Head, Machel Montano and Sean Paul, and sort of blended that Jamaican dancehall into the soca.
So we've grown through that, having literally every one of the most prominent soca artists featured on our truck during Carnival, and DJs. But what we've done this year — and from 2010 to 2025, 2020 was very challenging.
So we had two years of no carnival, and that changed the whole financial structure of the event, with a lot of new bands coming in as well, and sections. So what we've done is that we start over in 2025; literally, it's almost like a rebirth from 2010.
So I would say that 2024 was a sort of final 14year type run, and this year is a new start for us.
Are there any additional comments you would like to add?
Well, our comments would be to really go in terms of the whole unity for us. For us, it's just about keeping Carnival unified and safe and peaceful, and really promoting the art form - the artist and the art form - and the communication between the bands in order to keep our event unified in the eyes of the people. Like every other genre, as every other genre comes under one unification, soca music needs to be under the same unification - not separated by islands, but come under one. Like how you've got reggae music in Jamaica, and the world has embraced it. We've got to have soca music under one banner so that it's not seen as: like you speak a certain language, because you're from St. Vincent; you speak a certain language because you're from Grenada, and St. Kitts, and Saint Lucia, and Trinidad. Everybody had a carnival, and everybody had a soca artist, and everybody had a soca tune.
And we are too small for separation. We need to come under one banner of unity in order to promote the thing so that it's seen globally. We always have issues about being one, having a genre, but we can't have a genre if we are not unified.
Like how you have Afrobeats all those Nigeria, and Ghana, and South Africa. You're talking about 1.4, 1.5 billion people that are registered, 2 billion unregistered.
The continent of the Motherland is seen as one voice now, under the lights of Ibrahim Traoré and Tchiani. The whole Sahel region — now we've got the flag flying for one union, and it's the same thing the Caribbean needs.
