Reggae Icon @BujuBanton and Soca Star @KeesDieffenthaller Named Honorary Grand Marshals for New York Caribbean Carnival Parade 🗽🎉
Reggae legend @BujuBanton and soca frontman @KeesDieffenthaller have been named Honorary Grand Marshals for the 59th Annual New York Caribbean Carnival Parade in Brooklyn. Operating under the "One Caribbean" theme, the iconic pairing highlights the deep cultural ties between Jamaican reggae and Trinidadian soca. Both artists will be officially recognized at the annual VIP Breakfast before leading the massive Labor Day procession down Eastern Parkway.
(ReggaeVibeMedia.com) - The 59th Annual New York Caribbean Carnival Parade is bringing together two of the most powerful and influential forces in Caribbean music. Reggae heavyweight @BujuBanton and soca icon @KeesDieffenthaller (frontman of KesTheBand) have officially been appointed as the Honorary Grand Marshals for this year's massive Labor Day celebration in Brooklyn, New York.
Presented by the West Indian American Carnival Day Association (WIADCA), the landmark event is anchored by the overarching 2026 theme, “One Caribbean”. Organizers highlighted that pairing two of the region's greatest musical ambassadors brilliantly bridges Jamaica’s reggae and dancehall traditions with Trinidad and Tobago’s vibrant soca and calypso culture. Together, both artists embody the shared heritage, creative resilience, and unstoppable global impact of the Caribbean diaspora.
The festivities kick off on Monday, September 7, 2026, starting with WIADCA’s 59th Annual VIP Breakfast under the sub-theme “M.A.S.: Music, Action, Soul — Enjoy the rhythm, Feel the Mas’” at Lincoln Terrace Park in Brooklyn. Following the morning ceremony, the iconic Labor Day Parade will take over Eastern Parkway at 11:00 AM EST, drawing massive crowds of culture-seekers, community leaders, and music lovers from across the globe.