By: Jermaine Cruickshank
It’s no secret that Carnival 2026 has been a resounding success, thus far, filled with unforgettable moments, a bit of challenges but all and all high-energy and highlights that will climax on Monday and Tuesday. With Ash Wednesday set to usher in the crowning of a new Road March winner, it’s clear that either we “didn’t behave ourselves” or we simply asked for an “encore”. Beyond the local excitement, one of the most impactful elements of this season has been the powerful wave of soca anthems coming from our brothers in the Caribbean island of Grenada the Jab kings who rose to the occasion and stamped their authority on the Carnival landscape.
Leading that charge is Soca Monarch winner Jarvis “Muddy” Cuffie, whose infectious hit “Payroll” has been taking the party scene by storm. Alongside him, Keron “Lil Kerry” Noel with his hit “bury all”, who secured third place and was crowned Road March King along with Kevin “Dred Lion” Bullen and his crowd-pleasing anthem “Grease It,” have captivated audiences and stages across the region. Veteran Tallpree also played a key role in clearing the way for this new generation, helping to elevate Grenada’s jab sound to even greater heights. This season also featured one of our very own award-winning Trinbagonian DJ and producer, International Stephen, Stephen Phillip” who has been leading the charge in championing and showcasing the Grenadian movement.
“Oh boy, I fell in love with Grenada the first time I went I think it was 2012,” Stephen shared. “The passion, the people, and how they feel about their place and their culture almost make you feel like one of them. They make you so welcome. They talk to you in such a raw manner, but with love like, ‘Stephen, come take a drink.’ The love from the people really started it for me. Learning the culture of jab and experiencing it for myself, I’m definitely an honorary jab, and it’s one of my favorite things to do in the entire world. Grenada definitely holds a special place in my heart. When you land there, the land itself has a particular aura that you feel from the time you’re reaching Grenada.”
Stephen also credits international soca icon Machel Montano as a key figure in helping shape his career and sharpen his ear for talent. “Ah boy, I do have a knack for seeing talent and knowing music. Machel Montano was the first person to really point that out to me years ago and told me to go further in it. He created opportunities for me, and today I’m the Senior A&R at Monk Music, Machel’s label. I wouldn’t have gotten there without him opening doors and creating those opportunities so big up to Machel for that. My ear for music is just a vibe. I can hear it and feel it instantly.”
He added, “Being part of projects like Family, Conch Shell, Toxic Love, and working with artistes like Ricardo Drue, Patrice Roberts, Skinny Fabulous, Nadia Batson, and my most recent A&R project Behave by Voice, it’s been a real pleasure to work with some of the greats and be able to call some of these projects from jump. I’m looking forward to doing more big projects, calling more big hits, and lending my talent to the industry so we can take soca to the next level.”
