Jamaica’s 2025 carnival season is heating up! With Tuesday marking the second day of the festive calendar, the Simply Soca event at La Vida on Stanton Terrace was a spectacular showcase of international DJ talent. As we all know, all roads lead to the grand Carnival Sunday road march, but Tuesday night’s celebration gave us the perfect mid-week energy boost we needed.

CPJ Beverage’s Jack Daniels stepped up as the proud sponsor, welcoming soca lovers with complimentary cocktails that had everyone in high spirits from the moment they arrived. The setup at La Vida was just proper – an elevated stage with a DJ booth overlooking the dance floor, creating that perfect balance of intimacy and room to wine.

Around 11 pm, Saint Lucia’s own Barrie Hype took control behind the DJ booth, and the place lit up! As one of the few internationally recognised DJ/MCs from Saint Lucia to make it big, Hype knows precisely how to keep a crowd moving. His energy was contagious, and before long, everyone followed his lead, creating an electric vibe.

Project Manager for GenXS Carnival Nyoka Manning came to enjoy the vibes at Simply Soca. (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)

Our local stars shone brightly, too. At twenty to midnight, DJ Cyclone from FYAH 105 took us on a beautiful journey through time, spinning classic soca favourites that had us nostalgic before seamlessly transitioning to 2025’s hottest tracks. Brush 1 Marshall and DJ Richie Ras kept that momentum strong, each adding their special touch to an already incredible night.

One of the biggest surprises came when GioMar Mitchell made an unexpected appearance! The crowd went wild as he teased his upcoming single “Waistline” – giving us all a special preview.

Adding some international flavour, New York-based Riggo Suave (Rigoberto Williams) brought his unique blend of Caribbean rhythms with a big-city twist. His set was a perfect example of how Soca continues to evolve while staying true to its roots, and both longtime soca fans and newcomers were feeling the vibe.

(from left) New York natives Zanna Williams and Brittany Laurie enjoying the soca vibes. (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)

The amazing DJ Nu Nu was closing the night, representing the only female DJ at the event. Originally from Brownfield, Texas, and regularly lighting up the scene in Lubbock, Nu Nu has been turning heads with her versatile style. With a recent nomination for International Female DJ of the Year, it’s easy to see why – her ability to blend soca, dancehall, and 90s R&B had everyone begging for “one more song” as the night ended.

“This was exactly the foundation we needed to get us started for the season,” one happy reveller told Observer Online, summing up what everyone felt. The night was perfect for honouring our beloved soca traditions while embracing fresh new sounds.

As we continue the countdown to Sunday’s big road march, Simply Soca will be remembered as a special moment that kept our Carnival energy flowing with pure vibes and cultural pride.