The energy seems high at I Love Soca on Easter Monday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
It’s officially Carnival week and the feteing fever is already high. The soca spirit was fully ignited in revellers on Easter Monday as I Love Soca kick-started what will undoubtedly be a week of unprecedented vibes that will climax at the highly-anticipated Road March on Sunday.
When the Jamaica Observer team arrived at the National Stadium East venue, the party was already in full swing with Brush1 The Road Marshall in full control.
Patrons were ‘whining’ up a storm to their favourite soca hits from soca giants, including Bunji Garlin, Patrice Evans, Machel Montana, and Destra being blared from the speakers. All was set for what turned out to be a night of epic proportions.
‘Getting on bad’ was the sole mission of the night and, based on the sweat dripping from the faces of partygoers, it was mission accomplished.
Breaking only to take sips from their I Love Soca branded cups, socaphiles gyrated their waistlines all night long.
According to party promoters, if Monday night’s energy was anything to go by, Carnival 2025 will be one the best and biggest stagings yet.
“The energy here tonight is so high. The turnout was tremendous, and that just goes to show that people are excited over Carnival in Jamaica. We love being able to set the tone at I Love Soca, and this is just an indication that the week ahead will be unmatched vibes,” said Andrew Bellamy, chief organiser of I Love Soca. “We have started the momentum that will carry everybody through the week to come.”
Bellamy said I Love Soca has become a trusted brand that has served up a premium experience for soca lovers for years.
“It’s been years of building this brand, curating experiences that people find memorable. We put a lot into it and people notice that. They feel safe at I Love Soca and so they have an amazing time when they come here. They know they will get value for their money and that is what makes the brand so trustworthy,” he said.
In true I Love Soca fashion, revellers were treated to a special performance from soca giant Skinny Fabulous.
Declaring that he’s now an honorary member of the I Love Soca family, the entertainer turned in a performance that had the crowd in a frenzy. Not only did he serve up some of his biggest hits, but the artiste also paid homage to several dancehall giants, thrilling the crowd with short, spicy renditions of local favourites from the likes of Masicka, Beenie Man, and Bounty Killer. He also performed hits such as Worst Behavior, Happiest Man Alive, Famalay, and Up & Up.
Rico Suave and the Chromatic team were the other two DJs for the night and, like Brush1, they too delivered heavy doses of soca favourites. But while the crowd soaked up every bit of the soca vibes, the party would not be complete without the injection of some dancehall and reggae hits. Tracks from the likes of Lady Saw, Ding Dong, Vybz Kartel, Masicka, Pressure Busspipe, Jah Cure, and even Damian Marley had the audience singing along up to the event’s end at approximately 2:00 am.
Samuel Afonso Diaz, Hospiten country manager, is flanked by Shantell Hill-Afonso (left), Sunshine Snacks marketing manager, and Jorja Clark, Sunshine Snacks brand manager. (Photo: Garfield Robnson)