Sun | Oct 26, 2025

Gen XS finds footing in third carnival outing

Published:Monday | April 28, 2025 | 12:09 AMRuth-Ann Briscoe/Gleaner Writer
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Katelyn Kamph, a business owner from Florida, experiences her first carnival in Jamaica.Katelyn Kamph, a business owner from Florida, experiences her first carnival in Jamaica.
Matthew McKoy
Katelyn Kamph, a business owner from Florida, experiences her first carnival in Jamaica.Katelyn Kamph, a business owner from Florida, experiences her first carnival in Jamaica.
The Royale Renovations, Maintenance and Cleaning Services Limited truck follows closely behind Gen XS revellers during the morning session of the Carnival in Jamaica Road March.
Matthew McKoy
The Royale Renovations, Maintenance and Cleaning Services Limited truck follows closely behind Gen XS revellers during the morning session of the Carnival in Jamaica Road March.
Podcaster and radio show host Kareem ‘Bwoyatingz’ Weathers beckons from the Smirnoff truck.
Matthew McKoy
Podcaster and radio show host Kareem ‘Bwoyatingz’ Weathers beckons from the Smirnoff truck.
Asafa Powell and his model wife, Alyshia.
Matthew McKoy
Asafa Powell and his model wife, Alyshia.
Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett, who has been with Gen XS from its beginning, is completely decked out in Mezara. Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett, who has been with Gen XS from its beginning, is completely decked out in Mezara.
Matthew McKoy
Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett, who has been with Gen XS from its beginning, is completely decked out in Mezara. Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett, who has been with Gen XS from its beginning, is completely decked out in Mezara.
Right: Mellisa Murray stuns in Skai at the Gen XS Carnival Road March on Sunday.
Matthew McKoy
Right: Mellisa Murray stuns in Skai at the Gen XS Carnival Road March on Sunday.
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The third time’s a charm, and Gen XS’ smooth execution for this year’s Carnival is testament to the fact that the band has evolved since its first local Carnival in Jamaica Road March in 2023.

“Smirnoff Gen XS Kingdom of the Sun shone the brightest of the three,” Gen XS Director Kino Johnson told The Gleaner. “Each year we stand out with quality experiences and top-tier masquerading. 2025 is one for the books.”

Johnson described Sunday’s turnout as “phenomenal” and shared that for next year, the band will be focused on increased quality experiences and a few more surprises.

“We’ve listened, planned, and worked towards being better for our masqueraders. We’re thankful for our Gen XS community,” Johnson said.

Media personality and businesswoman Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett, who has been jumping with Gen XS since its launch in Jamaica, agreed with Johnson’s assessment.

“I love that Gen XS was way [more] organised. There was make-up ... the costumes were delivered on time, so it was really professional and smooth,” Curvy Diva said,

Generally, revellers were impressed with the costume selections. With regard to other areas of improvement for the costumes, Shaquanda Jones, a reveller visiting from Atlanta, would have preferred if the costumes were more customised in terms of sizes, to match respective body types.

It was her first time marching with Gen XS and said she would still possibly be jumping with the band again for next year’s Carnival.

Revellers who were visiting from other countries, including Trinidad and various parts of the United States, were particularly impressed with the fact that Gen XS, especially in the first half of the event, prioritised soca as their genre in music. For the second leg of the march, there were more dancehall selections, and that kept the crowd high on energy.

After lunch, not even the shower of blessings disrupted the flow of the march, as the entertainment and easier accessibility of beverages on the road kept the Gen XS crowd engaged.

Gen XS Director Tagyei Belifante spoke with The Gleaner at Touchdown last Thursday and said the team focused on the masquerade experience based on their theme, Kingdom of the Sun.

Belifante said for their third Jamaica Carnival, “[Gen XS] invested a lot in the road experience ... premium alcohol and beverages. The costumes were top-notch and we invested in that. Nobody is complaining this year about long wait times.”

ruth-ann.briscoe@gleanerjm.com