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When thousands of Caribbean people and their descendants take to the streets of Brooklyn, New York, on Labour Day, September 7, the sounds of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica will share the spotlight.
Soca star Kees Dieffenthaller of KesTheBand and reggae and dancehall icon Buju Banton have been named Honorary Grand Marshals of the 59th Annual New York Caribbean Carnival Week and Parade.
The appointments by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) are especially significant this year, as the celebrations are being held under the theme “One Caribbean” – a message of unity that speaks to the cultural ties connecting the region and its diaspora across borders and generations.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 11 am EST in Brooklyn.
For decades, Caribbean Carnival in New York has provided a space where the region’s diverse cultures, music and traditions come together. This year, two of its most recognisable musical voices will help lead that celebration.
For Trinidad and Tobago, Dieffenthaller’s appointment represents the continued international reach of soca and the country’s Carnival culture.
As the lead vocalist of KesTheBand, Dieffenthaller, popularly known as Kes, has become one of the most recognisable voices in contemporary Caribbean music. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, he has helped carry soca to audiences far beyond the region while maintaining a strong connection to the traditions and communal spirit that gave rise to the music.
Through his performances and recordings, Kes has become closely associated with the energy and creativity of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, connecting audiences in the Caribbean with listeners across the global diaspora.
Banton represents another powerful strand of Caribbean musical identity.
One of Jamaica’s most celebrated recording artistes, Buju Banton has spent decades helping reggae and dancehall reach audiences around the world. His influence extends beyond his music, with his career contributing to the global visibility of Jamaican culture and the wider Caribbean experience.
His catalogue and collaborations have resonated across generations, establishing him as one of the Caribbean diaspora’s most influential cultural figures.
Together, Kes and Banton represent two distinct but interconnected musical traditions – Jamaica’s reggae and dancehall and Trinidad and Tobago’s soca and calypso.
That connection lies at the heart of this year’s “One Caribbean” theme.
WIADCA’s Board of Directors said the pair’s appointment reflects the power of Caribbean music to unite people while showcasing the region’s creativity and heritage internationally.
“The appointment of Kees Dieffenthaller of KestheBand and Buju Banton as Honorary Grand Marshals is a powerful representation of what One Caribbean means to us,” the board said. “They have each carried Caribbean music and culture to the world, while remaining deeply rooted in the communities and traditions that shaped them. Their presence at this year’s Labor Day celebrations honors the diversity of our Caribbean heritage while reminding us of the strength we have when we celebrate what unites us.”
A morning of recognition
Before the colourful parade takes over Brooklyn, Kes and Banton will be recognised at WIADCA’s 59th Annual VIP Breakfast.
Held from 8 am to 10.30 am at the Carlos Lezama Netball Court at Lincoln Terrace Park in Brooklyn, the breakfast is one of the organisation’s longstanding Carnival traditions.
This year’s breakfast will be held under the theme “M.A.S.: Music, Action, Soul – Enjoy the rhythm, Feel the Mas’”.
The event brings together elected officials, community leaders, business executives, cultural ambassadors, sponsors, members of the media and supporters of New York’s Caribbean-American community.
For WIADCA, the breakfast is more than a pre-parade gathering. It provides an opportunity to recognise individuals and organisations that have contributed to the growth and strength of Caribbean communities in New York and throughout the diaspora.
This year’s programme will include the recognition of Kes and Banton, special presentations and acknowledgements, networking among community and business leaders, and a celebration of the “One Caribbean” theme.
It will also mark the official start of Carnival Parade Day.
Bringing the
Caribbean together
For nearly six decades, WIADCA has worked to preserve and promote Caribbean culture through the New York Caribbean Carnival, which has become one of North America’s largest celebrations of Caribbean heritage, music, artistry and tradition.
The appointment of Kes and Banton as Honorary Grand Marshals adds another layer to that history.
Their musical traditions developed in different islands, with different rhythms, histories and cultural expressions. Yet both have travelled far beyond their places of origin, becoming part of the soundtrack of Caribbean life around the world.
In Brooklyn, those traditions will converge under a single message.
“One Caribbean” is, in many ways, a recognition that while the region is made up of individual nations and cultures, its people share a history and a cultural identity that continue to transcend borders.
And as Kes brings the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and Banton carries the legacy of Jamaican reggae and dancehall, the 2026 New York Caribbean Carnival will offer a powerful reminder of just how much the Caribbean has given the world.
The 59th Annual New York Caribbean Carnival Week and Parade is being held in media partnership with Irie Jam Radio, VP Records, Gargamel Music, Chambers Media Solutions and Schure Media Group.
English (US) ·