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Tobago's 2024 Carnival Lacked Local Music Presence


Tobago Calypso Monarch Winner 2024: Jahiem "Verrse" Thomas

The 2024 Carnival in Tobago was a testament to the vibrant energy and growing interest, with a noticeable increase in attendance. However, the representation of local music was regrettably minimal, especially during the road activities. Many DJs opted for older tracks from past carnivals and songs from other islands, which somewhat diluted the unique Tobagonian essence. While a diverse music selection is enjoyable at clubs and fetes, DJs playing music for J'ouvert and masquerade bands should aim to use at least 90% of Tobago artists in their song selections. This approach would celebrate our homegrown talent and inspire a more authentic and enriching carnival experience for everyone.


This situation underscores the crucial need for unity within the music community on the island. It's evident that individuals are unsure about their contributions. Without a clear initiative, it would be challenging to unite in influencing carnival organizers. The organizers may not fully understand the significant impact of featuring local artists on the Carnival's presentation. It's time for artists and musicians to unite in their commitment to showcasing their local talent and enriching the Carnival experience.


Just as local dishes and delicacies shape a region's identity, music should do the same. Visitors from Trinidad and other Caribbean territories should be able to feel the unique essence of Carnival in Tobago. While including a few crossover songs is acceptable, the lack of local representation is a missed opportunity that undermines the Carnival's authenticity. It's time to prioritize celebrating our homegrown talent, a move that will not only enrich the experience for all involved but also gives Tobago Carnival its own cultural identity.


Why hold a Soca Titans competition [Calypso Monarch] in Tobago and not use the songs during road activities? Does this imply that the artists are only suitable for a showcase and incapable of energizing the masqueraders and J'ouvert? This raises important questions about the recognition and support of our local talent. The performances during the competition were captivating, demonstrating the potential of these songs to energize the attending audience. Based on that, these songs deserved a prominent place in the heart of the Carnival experience.


The responsibility doesn't rest solely on the organizers. The music community in Tobago must come together constructively to address these issues at all levels. Musicians on the island need to recognize the importance of taking the initiative to strengthen their collective voice. By uniting and advocating effectively, they can create meaningful change and ensure that local talent receives the recognition it deserves during Carnival.


Initiatives going forward:

a) Designate a YouTube channel to feature all participating artists in Tobago's Carnival.


b) Release songs by Mid August. This gives the Steel Pan Orchestras time to evaluate songs that can be used and just enough time to practice. Local DJs and radio stations can also participate in familiarizing the songs.


c) Create a Facebook Page to feature participating artists showcasing performances and activities leading to the Carnival.


e) Devise a way for local DJs to access the music via a website or a Dropbox link.


f) Quit using Calypso and Soca interchangeably especially for the Monarch competitions. The Calypso Monarch should be the Calypso Music genre and Soca Monarch is for the Soca genre.


There's much more to do, however until further notice, these suggestions, if adhered to would be beneficial.


The intention of this write-up is not to cast a negative light on the efforts of the organizers, law enforcement, EMS, and participants of the Tobago Carnival. Creating a safe environment for all activities is a challenging task and deserves recognition. Rather, this is a constructive critique aimed at fostering positive conversations that can lead to meaningful improvements.





Image used courtesy Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities & Transportation - THA

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