“Ah tell yuh mas dey on meh radar”
Dash x Lil Kerry

With a new young Prime Minister and government installed, a new burst of life flows through the spice island of Grenada. But something else is fueling an excitement in the air that has people getting into shape, spending money they don’t really have, and even foreigners booking plane tickets to come to the island. You guessed it; it’s “Spicemas D Return, A Celebration of Life”. Yes, after an absence of 2 years because of Covid protocol, the merry Monarch is touching down in Grenada on August 8^th and 9^th.this year

To prepare for her return, carnival was officially launched on April 29^th with a ceremony featuring performances by some of Grenada’s top performers including Dash, Lil Kerry, Runi Jay, Luni Spark & Electrify, Boyzie, and the Grenadian Bad Boy himself, V’ghn. Their performances were littered with fan favorites from years before but sprinkled in the mix were songs for this year.  When Dash brought Lil Kerry on stage and they performed “Radar”, their collaboration for this year, never did one expect to hear it so many times two months later. Whether it’s from a passing vehicle or on the radio, it’s play-out-loud-friendly.  On the Chaining Day Riddim, it is among the most heard riddim of the season. Apart from the Dash and Lil Kerry, on the Build De Vibes-produced riddim are Lavaman (Getting On So), Revellaz (Rub It),  Skull Gang (Wah Yuh Wah Meh Do), and lastly, Lil Natty and Thunda and Dj Moss (Totti Head Bad).

Since the launch of carnival, many events that honor the cultural aspect of Spicemas have taken place: “Flavazz of Calypso & Extempo” which is a nod to the preservation of the culture, “Jambalasee Festival A Celebration of Grenada’s Jab Jab Culture” that celebrates the island’s culture via story-telling of Jab Jab, and the preliminaries for Soca Monarch and Groovy Monarch competitions. Fans of the cultural aspect of Spicemas can also look forward to the return of Lions/SMC Ole Mas where laughter abounds at the clever ways Ole Mas players would complain about Grenada today where no issues are off the table.

Photo Credit goes to @lookintomyeyesphotography ‘Roger Lewis’

Other events for the season that you can count Grenadians to be ecstatic about are “Crave” which is put on by Boyzie, “Eclipse” which is Lil Kerry’s show, Jab King’s “How” and TallPree’s “PreeDay”. On what is now deemed Majestic Wednesday (it was Majestic Thursday before this year), there is the Carnival Queen show. Six delegates from each parish in Grenada and one delegate representing both Carriacou and Petite Martinique, 7 total, will compete for the title of “Miss Spicemas 2022”.

The big excitement in all honesty begins on the Friday before Carnival, Bacchanal Friday. This is the much-anticipated competition held to crown both the Power Soca Monarch champion and the Groovy Monarch champion. Then, on both the following Saturday and Sunday, the other shows that hold the public in a chokehold are: “Pure White” and “Biggest White”. The cast of Pure White includes two of Jamaica’s dancehall artistes, Shaneil Muir (Same Guy, Yamabella) and Skeng (Protocol, Gvnman Shift). They’d take to the stage in addition to a number of Grenada’s top soca acts including Mr. Killa, Wuss Wayz, Lil Kerry and Lava Man, St. Vincent’s Problem Child, and Trinidad’s Lyrikal.  On the next day, Sunday, the other show “Biggest White”, will be headlined by three international acts including,  Kes. Gracing the stage along with the Liki Tiki singer will be fifteen Grenadian acts who will entertain the crowd at the “straight into J’ouvert, from the stage to the road” touted show. Though, to be mentioned, at the time of writing this article the other two international acts remain unknown.

So, with bands experiencing sold-out sections, carnival parties well underway, and being hyped, it’s safe to say that the vibes in Grenada are steadily building.  With the anticipation for J’ouvert and finally being on the road after two years, Grenadians and folks on its sister isles are in good spirits! Friends have decided which band they’re going to play with and which events as a squad they’re rolling to. There’s always someone trying to convince themselves that from Soca Monarch on Friday they’d either go to Pure White on Saturday or Biggest White on Sunday or both. Opting for both, they’re convinced that they’d be okay going straight into J’ouvert early Monday morning then still be alright to go on the road that afternoon around 1. Then, head home to change not daring to nap, and get ready for Monday Night Mas. Then return Tuesday afternoon to enjoy the road on the final day.

Grenada’s carnival wasn’t able to happen in the last few years due to the Coronavirus, which claimed the lives of many across the world. This year, it’s a chance to shake, even just for a bit, the dreariness of the reality of today. So this August 8th and 9th, Grenadians and visitors alike will take to the road in very high spirits that scream “Finally!” as it is in fact Spicemas D Return, A Celebration of Life.

Popular 2022 songs

1. Radar Lil Kerry x Dash 0:45

2. Runi Jay x Machel Montano - Mad House (Midnight Oil Riddim) | 2022 Soca undefined 0:45

3. Stage In Life Boyzie 0:45

4. Dat Ah Like Terra D Governor 0:45

5. Finally ft. MSK MuSiK V'ghn 0:45

6. Entrance Boyzie 0:45

7. Take Horn {Soca 2022} Jouvert Morning Riddim Pinky Fabulous 0:45

8. Xpert Productions Ft. Slatta, Wetty Beatz & Boyzie Life Sweet [Remix] 0:45

9. Lil Natty & Thunda x Dj Moss Totti Head Bad [Chaining Day Riddim] 2022 Soca 0:45