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When GBM Nutron hit the stage at Tacbar, Devon House, on Tuesday night for the Campari Carnival 2025 launch, excitement surged as soca lovers sang along to his hits. The Trinidad-born soca sensation delivered a high-energy 20-minute set, performing popular singles like One Piece, I Like That, Hot Gyal Anthem, When Last, and Down Dey.
During an interview with The Gleaner following his performance, the singer, songwriter and producer whose real name is Jason Carter, said he loves to visit the tropical paradise of Jamaica and perform for his fans.
“Honestly, it’s amazing to see another Caribbean island embracing soca music. I hail from Trinidad and Tobago. Always representing the red, white and black, and I live abroad, so I’m always representing New York and Brooklyn, so I have a lot of Jamaican friends and family up there as well; so [I like] seeing soca music being celebrated [in Jamaica]; the culture of carnival being celebrated, and outside of that, just Jamaica being Jamaica,” GBM Nutron said.
Outside of his live performance, GBM Nutron shared that he is enjoying the culinary experience during his stay in Jamaica.
“The food, the people, the twang, the culture here, I mean how could you not keep coming back?” he added.
He will return for the Carnival in Jamaica season during Xodus Utopia Carnival Week between April 23 and 27, where he is expected to perform alongside other soca artistes, such as Lyrikal, Voice and Kerwin Du Bois.
Jerome Walters, brand manager, Campari Caribbean, said bringing soca sensation GBM Nutron to Jamaica was only fitting to kick off the 2025 carnival season. Additionally, he noted that the launch was to highlight how it has been through partnership, that Campari Carnival has continued for a third year, and the final year based on a three-year contract, for the company to be in partnership with Yard Mas Carnival and Xodus.
“With the partnership, we have been chief in driving carnival and the experience of Jamaica Carnival. This year, we have an exciting season [planned] with the lead up events, such as Yard Mas Jouvert and Xodus Tailgate. It’s going to be an epic season,” Walters said, adding that it has been three years since the partnership with the two bands.
EXCITING EXPERIENCE
In 2023, Campari launched its Campari Carnival Boulevard along Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston during road march. In 2024, they moved to Trafalgar Road for more space, featuring a crossing stage that was an exciting experience for revellers. The stage will return on April 27 at the anticipated road march.
Dania Beckford, director, Yard Mas Carnival highlighted that there is much to expect from her band, which includes the inaugural jouvert experience to be held on April 26, and their after-party, which will be inside the National Indoor Sports Centre.
“We are also announcing our Back Yard Jam, so, Yard Mas, for me, is survival of the thickest; but I want everybody to be very active and fit and ready for Carnival Day. The Yard Mas Crew will have Backyard Jam every Wednesday and Friday from March 21 to April 16 at UWI Hockey Field, so you can come out, exercise with us and get fit for the road,” Beckford said.
As it was the launch of Campari Carnival, she credited the brand for making Carnival in Jamaica more exciting and for their input in “elevating the experience for Yard Mas”.
“For the past three years, we have been partners with Campari and Xodus – our carnival cousins – and we’re happy to be doing this for one more year. As you know, this year, for Yard Mas, we are celebrating everything that is wonderful about Jamaica. It is ‘Land We Love’, so you’ve seen all the costumes and we are ready for the road.”
With Xodus bringing back its signature carnival party lineup, including Liki Tiki, TailGate JA, Big Bad Soca, and Fete Gala, head of marketing Kandi King said her team is excited for the season. She added that she hopes to see Carnival in Jamaica thrive even more, with both locals and tourists embracing the spirit of the celebration.
“From Xodus’ perspective of carnival, it’s more than an event. It’s more purpose and passion and commitment for us, and just a little note about where Carnival in Jamaica is. Right now, carnival is bigger than all of us, and we are so excited to be on board with Campari, because it really takes collective effort for an initiative like this, for us to really recognise the power of unity in Jamaica.”
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