Gen XS promises endless energy with ‘Infiniti’

As soca anthems begin to pulse across the island ahead of the 2026 Carnival in Jamaica season, Gen XS Carnival Jamaica has released Infiniti as its season theme.

“Infiniti stands for endless energy and perpetual possibilities. We asked what true power feels like on carnival morning in Jamaica, when you hit the road and feel invincible,” Gen XS Director Kibwe McGann told The Gleaner.

The theme has specific significance for the band. “The four Is [are a] nod to four years of Gen XS building a legacy. We challenged our designers to personify forces and phenomena so energy feels tangible,” McGann said.

This creative challenge resulted in a line-up where each of the nine sections: Prizm, Volt, Inferno, Spectre, Mirage, Flower Bomb, Nova, Aurora, and Flare and the Limitless T-shirt section, aim to tell a story, such as how Aurora channels the atmospheric glow of the north, or Volt captures the charge of a high-voltage road experience.

Director Kino Johnson noted that this year is about solidifying the band’s identity in the regional carnival circuit. “Infiniti is a multi-prong token that screams Gen XS, and pure carnival culture is here to stay. We literally entered the market with ‘Return to Paradise,’ we showcased our fierce side with ‘Unleash the Drago, ‘ and then shone brightest with ‘Kingdom of the Sun’. So Infiniti embodies Jamaica culture, beauty and pure carnival pageantry that Gen XS is known for,” Johnson shared. He describes the creative output of the team as reaching the heights of “showboatism”, ensuring that the stunning sections, along with the Immortals J’ouvert theme, Shocking Vibes, offer a level of “pomp and pageantry” that remains timeless.

While the spirit of carnival is about celebration, the directors have not lost sight of the challenges facing the nation. Following the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa, the band strategically pivoted to prioritise relief efforts. “The sad movie-like scenes are still playing out. As people, we hurt with our nation,” Johnson said. “Gen XS, the business, immediately went into ‘help mode’, strategically adding plans to help those impacted.” This involved a major mobilisation of international support to ensure the brand could give back to the soil that sustains it.

McGann emphasises that the response was about “putting country first” and using the brand’s global reach for good. “We activated the strength of the diaspora and the international community who had an affinity and respect for brand Jamaica. We aligned with South Florida Caribbean Strong and the Miami Foundation and formed a partnership with GEM (Global Empowerment Mission). Within one week, with the help of volunteers and ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management), GEM had planned and sent containers with supplies to Jamaica,” McGann noted. He adds that the band even built a ‘Jamaica Relief’ button directly into their MasOS registration platform, making support for the recovery just one click away for masqueraders.

As the season progresses, the focus returns to the physical experience of the carnival. The Infiniti showroom has returned to its familiar home at the Sovereign Centre in Liguanea, St Andrew, and the energy is already palpable. “The showroom opened to the public a few days before Christmas and is already abuzz for the season,” Johnson said. “We have many a Christmas gift, [such] as Infiniti deposits, and even a few masqueraders asking to order costumes one to two inches smaller to match their New Year’s resolutions and fitness plans.”

Beyond the glitter and the “chipping” on the road, McGann insists that the core of Gen XS remains its commitment to the people. “Inclusivity is a standard, not a campaign. We offer full-coverage options, sizes XS to XXXL, and custom support where possible. Gen XS is for everyone who loves carnival.” With a road experience that aims for a premium flow from “super breakfast” to a “concert close”, the directors are confident that 2026 will be their most impactful year yet. As McGann puts it, “You see the idea in the costume, you feel it in how the day moves, and you leave charged.”

nyoka.manning@gleanerjm.com