A sea of neon colours provided the perfect backdrop for Sunnation’s Sunrise breakfast party.

Held on the grounds of the Caymanas Polo Club, the premium all-inclusive event blazed a scorching trail as hot soca mixes brought the Carnival pre-events to a fitting climax.

The heat from the sun’s unrelenting rays may have been brutal, but that did not stop revellers from ‘wuking up a sweat’.

With a bill of some of music’s most experienced deejays, patrons soaked up all the Vitamin D the sun gave, dancing non-stop, and keeping energies high.

Duo after dynamic duo, the deejays fed the audience as much soca as their souls could take. DJ Sinistar and Tony X provided the day’s early vibes. Spewing out hits such as Kerwin Du Boi’s Monster Whiner, Konshen’s Boost Har Up, Fadda Fox’s Ducking, and Yung Breda’s The Greatest Bend Ova. The pair did what was needed to get the crowd’s adrenaline pumping before Tarvis World and Major Penny, followed by Brush1 the Road Marshall and Bloodline Franco, took things to a new high.

Socaphiles drew their friends closer as they declared the genre, the happiest music on Earth.

Clearly riding the vibes, Shameire Swanson, who travelled from Brooklyn, New York, to soak up Carnival in Jamaica, said she has been having the time of her life. Dubbing Jamaica’s entertainment scene unlike anything she’s ever experienced, Swanson said happiness wouldn’t quite sum up what she has been feeling this entire soca season.

“I cannot even put into words the amount of fun I have been having in Jamaica. I don’t think I have missed a single event on the calendar so far… I may be tired, but I have no regrets,” she said. “The energy in Jamaica is unmatched. This isn’t my first time on the island for Carnival and I’m addicted at this point. Whatever is going on in my life, taking vacation for Carnival in Jamaica is a must!”

Another reveller, in from St Vincent, agreed. Highlighting that she is on a quest to experience Carnival in every island across the region, Tanike Williams said, so far, Jamaica has surpassed her expectations.

“I knew Jamaica would be special, but it’s one thing to imagine it and another to actually experience it. I have been to Carnival in the smaller islands and the energy there was great, but Jamaica has been next level,” she said. “It makes me excited to go to Trinidad next year, which is my next stop. Carnival in general is such a vibrant, happy space. I love it.”

Patrick Anthony, The Hype Man, said he is thankful for the continued partnership he and his team have with the organisers of Carnival in Jamaica. He expressed that having witnessed the growth of appreciation for soca in Jamaica he is happy to be a part of its development.

“I have been doing this a long time. I mean from Bacchanal Jamaica was the only band in Jamaica, and now we have GenXS, Xodus, and Yardmas that goes to show how much Carnival has grown in Jamaica and it will keep on growing,” he said. “Every Carnival has a big expectation and a hype, and I think just being in Jamaica where you can hear dancehall and reggae on the road is very unique to Jamaica and so I expect to see high energy on the road today.”

Speaking of the dancehall and reggae fusion that has helped to establish Jamaica’s soca scene, dancehall artiste Aidonia dropped in at Sunrise for a brief performance. The set came as a surprise to patrons whose excitement hit unprecedented levels once the deejay was introduced to the stage. The entertainer performed some of his biggest hits including
Yeah Yeah, Siding F Di Jockey, Banga, and Le Le Le. The artiste Voice also turned in an impressive performance which had the crowd raging.

He made way for the turntable magic of the Chromatic Crew, who brought the event’s entertainment showcase to a grand close.