Music is more globalized than ever, which means cultural preservation is also more pertinent now than at any point in human history. With Spicemas — also known as Grenada Carnival — the Spice Isle has cultivated and cared for what is arguably the purest and most authentic carnival in the Caribbean and its global diasporic hubs.
Founded to honor and celebrate the independence of Grenada and its sister islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique (Feb. 7, 1974), Spicemas has taken place annually every August since 1981. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the festivities, and in the wake of Hurricane Beryl’s devastation, the healing, communal, and emancipatory powers of music were working at full capacity. From the metallic ping of steelpan to the high-octane drums of power soca, music was more than just a mere soundtrack to the road — it was the ultimate manifestation of the joy, grit, and autonomy of the Grenadian people.
Rarely was a non-Grenadian artist played, and when the music stopped — if it ever did — a series of harmonious chants quickly filled the air. For a people that have survived several phases of colonialization and the continued voyeuristic consumption of their culture, music reigned as one of their primary forms of not just resistance, but a deep reverence for the ability to continue successfully resisting.
Before the first blow of the conch shell summoned the revelers to the road, the bombastic live music showcases and competitions of Soca Monarch and Panorama proudly displayed the cross-generational appeal of Grenada’s soca and calypso scenes as they helped prepare the island for J’Ouvert morning. Perhaps the most striking element of the music of Spicemas 2024 was how fiercely Grenadians uplifted their own artists and music while still inviting foreigners and visitors to participate.
A DJ might shout out a Vincentian or Ghanaian flag, but he would never transition from Boyzie or Jab King to Burna Boy or Drake. Down to the curation of each DJ set, preservation and resistance reigned supreme. Yes, Spicemas, alongside other Caribbean carnivals, has seen its global profile rise year after year, but that doesn’t mean Grenadians are looking the other way and allowing their culture to become diluted, commodified and commercialized for those with no intrinsic connection to it.
Billboard’s attendance at Spicemas 2024 was sponsored by Industry 360, Mel &N Media and the Grenada Tourism Authority.
To illustrate the different ways music functioned throughout Grenada’s carnival weekend, here are five of the most memorable music moments from Spicemas 2024.
