分类： entertainment

Barbadian soca artist Michael “Mikey” Mercer has cemented his status as the breakout star of this year’s Crop Over festival, pulling off a rare three-prize sweep that capped off the annual Caribbean celebration in dramatic fashion. His chart-topping hit *Like Uh Bajan* edged out competitors by the narrowest of margins to claim the festival’s most coveted award, the Tune of De Crop title, one single play ahead of the runner-up.

The milestone win follows Mercer’s earlier victories in the Sweet Soca and Power Soca Monarch competitions, making him only the latest elite artist to claim the highly sought-after hat trick of Crop Over’s top soca honors. Speaking to local media shortly after his win was announced on the final night of the festival, Grand Kadooment Day, Mercer described the unprecedented achievement as a humbling experience that rewarded months of creative work.

According to official competition results, *Like Uh Bajan* was selected for 14 rotations during the final judging round, beating second-place contender Leadpipe’s *Dah Wuh She Get* by just one play. Leadpipe took home a $7,500 cash prize for his second-place finish, while third-place winner Shaquille earned $5,000 for his track *After All*, which received 12 plays. Mercer claimed the top $10,000 prize for his Tune of De Crop win, adding to the earnings from his earlier two titles.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Mercer opened up about the inspiration behind his viral track, revealing that *Like Uh Bajan* was not originally written with competition success in mind. “When I wrote this song, there was no competition in sight,” he explained. His core goal was to foster genuine national pride among Bajans, pushing back against common stereotypes about Barbadian culture and centering positive representation of how Barbadians celebrate community and life.

“I was hoping that it was something that they would gravitate towards because people always have a lot of talk for Bajans in terms of how we party and so on and I wanted positivity to reign where we were concerned,” he said. Mercer added that he has been overwhelmed by the public reception of the track, noting that audience connection is an outcome artists cannot force or control. “It is a fantastic feeling as a lot of work went into this year and we are thankful that it paid off,” he shared. “The people holding onto the song at this level is something you cannot control. So I am humbled that the general public like it as they do.”

The breakout success of *Like Uh Bajan* has already opened new international doors for the artist, with Mercer confirming he has received multiple booking requests to perform at overseas events in the coming months. Looking ahead to next year’s Crop Over season, the artist is already ahead of the game: he revealed that he began working on new tracks in his recording studio before this year’s competition even kicked off, with several songs already fully completed. He added that he has not yet decided whether those early demos will be the tracks he releases for 2025’s contest, but emphasized his commitment to bringing the same high-energy, joyful spirit that defined his 2024 win to future work. “We are definitely going to look to bring some more energy and more fun within the soca,” he said, noting that he plans to continue creating as long as his health allows.

As the iconic climax of Barbados’ annual Crop Over festival, Grand Kadooment 2026 has emerged as one of the most well-received iterations in recent memory, drawing widespread acclaim for its calm, welcoming atmosphere, high-energy celebrations, and robust attendance from both local residents and international tourists. While the overwhelming majority of attendees and vendors interviewed on-site shared positive feedback about the event’s safety and celebratory energy, a small group of long-time festival goers raised thoughtful concerns about a gradual erosion of the cultural storytelling that has long been a core part of Crop Over’s identity, sparking gentle debate over the event’s evolving nature. For Paul Yearwood, a 53-year-old lifelong supporter of Crop Over, the biggest win of this year’s Grand Kadooment was the complete absence of violent incidents, a source of huge relief following a spike in violent crime recorded earlier in the year. After skipping the past two editions due to safety worries, Yearwood said he was delighted to see large numbers of tourists joining local celebrants, even as financial constraints kept him from participating directly in the parade itself. “There were no problems, I didn’t see any violence, I didn’t see any fights, and I really enjoyed it,” he shared, echoing the sentiment of many attendees who prioritized public safety this year. Vendors along the revised parade route on President Kennedy Drive were similarly enthusiastic about how the day unfolded, with many crediting the route adjustment for boosting foot traffic and improving the overall experience. Renée Cumberbatch, a local street vendor, called the 2026 event a clear success, noting that her sales remained strong throughout the entire day and she was extremely pleased with the revised parade path. Fellow vendor Omar Pooler echoed that praise, highlighting that the positive, well-behaved energy of the crowd created a welcoming environment for everyone in attendance, whether they were native Bajans or visiting from overseas. Pooler said he already is planning to participate again next year, saying “God willing, I’m looking forward to doing it all again.” International first-time attendees were just as glowing in their reviews of the festival. Brittanie Elson and Audrianna Foster, who traveled to Barbados from Canada, said their first Crop Over experience far outshone the carnivals they had attended back home. Elson, who participated in the Monde Mass band with Foster and attended several pre-Kadooment Crop Over events over the weekend, called the event “so fun,” while Foster described the experience as absolutely unforgettable. “The vibes were high, everyone’s jumping and having fun – it’s the best time, the best, best time,” Foster said. Not all feedback centered solely on praise, however. Betty Dalrymple, who has lived outside of Barbados for 40 years, said she remained undecided about the revised parade route, noting that organizers have adjusted the path multiple times in recent years. While she acknowledged that practical concerns should guide route planning, she said she still prefers the original traditional route that started at the National Stadium, if road conditions allow for it. More pointed criticism came from Patricia Yearwood, who focused her concerns on the shifting identity of the festival’s costume design. Yearwood praised veteran costume designers like Henderson Jones, who creates the iconic Betty West costumes that have long centered clear cultural narratives. But she argued that most modern costumes today prioritize revealing designs over the traditional cultural storytelling that once defined Crop Over’s parade. “For me, growing up in Barbados, it used to be something cultural where you depicted a story, a piece of our history,” she explained. “I don’t find it depicts anything anymore.” Despite these scattered concerns about the event’s evolution, the overwhelming consensus among those on the ground was that Grand Kadooment 2026 delivered a fun, safe, memorable finale to the 2026 Crop Over festival, balancing modern popularity with ongoing conversations about preserving its traditional roots.

As debates continue to swirl around the steepening price tags of Grand Kadooment parade costumes, hundreds of revellers who took part in Monday’s iconic street celebration say the once-in-a-lifetime experience more than justifies the expense — with many international visitors insisting every dollar spent on the festivities was well worth it.

For Zell and Ortez Hurley, the journey all the way from the United Kingdom to join Crop Over with the popular Aura Experience band was a dream come true, and the pair have nothing but glowing praise for this year’s event. Speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY on the parade route, the couple labeled the 2024 festival an unforgettable experience that lived up to every bit of their long-held expectations. When asked about the investment they made in their festival outfits, they confirmed each custom costume cost approximately £500.

The Hurleys did not limit their Crop Over experience to just the Grand Kadooment parade, instead packing their schedule with a full slate of pre-parade activities tied to the festival calendar. “The Sundown fete was complimentary for all Aura Experience participants, we also joined the beloved breakfast fete hosted by Island Mas, and we have plans to attend Cohobblopot this coming Tuesday — Ortez has never had the chance to experience it before,” Zell Hurley shared.

While Hurley says he is eager to see the Cohobblopot show, he did admit surprise at the festival organizers’ decision to shift the event from its decades-long traditional slot on Sunday night. “For someone who grew up here on the island, this change came as quite a shock. For generations, Cohobblopot was held the night before Grand Kadooment — it gave audiences the chance to see the competing band kings and queens show off their elaborate costumes, and watch top soca royalty perform. Then you could ease into the big jump-up day on Monday. Moving it to Tuesday does change the traditional flow that leads into Kadooment Day. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t still excited to see how the new scheduling works out, we’re looking forward to it all the same,” he explained. Despite the small scheduling shake-up, Hurley emphasized that the entire festival has run seamlessly so far. “I haven’t encountered any logistical missteps or issues at all right now, the whole operation has been really well organized,” he added.

Roshae Daniel, a first-time Crop Over attendee visiting from Queens, New York who has Bajan family heritage, also pulled out all the stops for her first festival experience, purchasing a premium VIP package from Aura that cost close to $2,000 USD. “I asked a lot of people who have attended Crop Over before which band was the best to jump with, and everyone told me Aura was the top choice. It’s my first time ever coming to the festival, so I figured if you’re going to do it, you might as well go all in,” she said.

For Daniel, the hefty price tag was completely justified by the quality of the experience. “It was 100 percent worth the investment. The band provided continuous fresh food throughout the parade, they gave out amazing goodie bags filled with custom cups, useful accessories and all kinds of great extras, everything was really well thought out. I would do this whole experience a thousand times over without a second thought,” she shared.

Daniel also made sure to pack her trip with as many diverse Crop Over activities as possible ahead of Grand Kadooment, attending the popular Neon Jouvert and Sun Mas events to soak up every part of the culture. “I absolutely love the Bajan culture here, the incredible sense of community that wraps around the whole festival… it’s just so much fun,” she said with a laugh, adding “I already got to meet the artist Spice while I’ve been here, that was such a cool surprise. Fingers crossed I also get the chance to run into Rihanna while I’m on island.”

Daniel, who is staying at the Sugar Bay resort during her visit, also praised the hotel’s warm hospitality, noting that the wide variety of high-quality vegetarian dining options available exceeded all of her expectations.

A short hold-up at the opening of the 2026 Flow 5G+ Grand Kadooment did nothing to dim the electric excitement of attendees packed along the route to witness one of Barbados’ most beloved cultural celebrations. As masqueraders, performers, and spectators filled Princess Alice Highway, the day officially got underway at 8:40 a.m. when the stirring strains of Barbados’ National Anthem filled the air, drawing a respectful hush over the crowd.

Moments after the anthem concluded, Walk Holy Band stepped forward as the first of 22 planned processions, opening the event with a soulful, spirited performance that set a tone of joyous reverence, asking for divine blessing over the day’s festivities. Right on their heels came Blue Box Cart and Salt, whose dazzling presentation delivered a thoughtful, artful tribute to the Barbados Landship, honoring and preserving one of the island nation’s most treasured cultural traditions. The high-octane masqueraders of Krave then took the spotlight, raising the energy for the gathered onlookers.

One of the standout moments for captivated attendees was the long-awaited return of the iconic King and Queen costume display. Curated by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Large Mas Costumes and paired with the rhythmic, soulful melodies of the Drummers Federation, the showcase was a visual feast for every person in attendance. Intricately crafted pieces including *Keeper of the Canes*, *Queen of Crop Over*, and *Mr Harding’s Fiery March* stirred nostalgia among long-time festival-goers, who recalled decades of Grand Kadooment parades led by these majestic regal displays.

Boasting more than 1,000 masqueraders, Vida by Esquire was the largest procession of the day, dominating the route as a sprawling, vivid sea of color divided into six elaborately designed sections. The massive contingent took nearly 10 minutes to pass the judges’ pavilion before continuing its rhythmic procession toward Mighty Grynner Highway.

Through the early morning, brief gaps between processions left spectators waiting for the next performance, with several minutes often passing between bands arriving at the judging stage. Explaining the minor delays, NCF Festival and Events Planner Stacia Bryan noted the pauses were primarily caused by revellers putting the final touches on their looks before heading to the route.

“You know us ladies, we like to make sure that the make-up is on and the eyelashes are on. We realised that the bands will be a little bit delayed because y’all still at home putting on the finery to come and jump because it has shifted because people like to play Pretty Mas and want to be on Instagram and social media pages and we love that because it will help to promote the festival,” Bryan told Barbados TODAY shortly after noon. She added that despite the gaps, the event had progressed smoothly, confirming that half of all registered bands had already completed the judging segment, with strong momentum continuing through the day.

“I am very pleased with the productions. Everything has been moving smoothly along the streets. All of the water stations are in place. The revellers are well hydrated, the music trucks are moving and comfortable because the police and the BDF are on the ground to make sure we have a safe Grand Kadooment,” Bryan said.

As the midday sun climbed, bringing sweltering temperatures that matched the intensity of the performances, attendees sought relief from the heat from local vendors, with lines forming at sno-cone carts for a quick cool-down. Both spectators and masqueraders were spotted clutching portable fans and full water bottles, determined not to let the heat cut into their celebration.

Through the afternoon, the stage became a dazzling blur of feathers, hand-sewn beads, and shimmering sequins, as elaborate costumes from troupes including Aura, Colorz Entertainment, Haus of Mas, and Mondé Mas left judges and onlookers mesmerized. One particularly standout piece, Carla Gittens’ *The Echo of Legends* worn by Zahira Bayley, drew gasps from the crowd for its intricate design and cultural resonance.

Veteran bandleader Betty West delivered one of the day’s most moving presentations, leading her 158-member small band in a heartfelt tribute to fallen Grand Kadooment legends, including Winston Jones, Renee Ratcliff, Gwyneth Squires, Roseann Lewis, and Reggie Cave. Her performance highlighted the immeasurable contributions these icons made to shape the festival into the world-renowned cultural event it is today.

The formal judging segment came to a spectacular close just after 1 p.m., when the final procession, Fifth Element, crossed the stage. With official proceedings complete, revellers fully embraced the festive spirit, winding, dancing, and chipping their way along the route to Mighty Grynner Highway for the iconic main jump-up celebration that closes out the annual festival.

Barbados’ iconic annual Crop Over festival has wrapped its 2026 season to widespread acclaim, with National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Chairman Dr. Jasmine Babb declaring the celebration an unqualified success that demonstrated enduring public passion for the island’s cultural heritage.

Speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY, Babb highlighted record turnout across the festival’s full slate of events, from the highly anticipated Pic-O-De-Crop Finals to the high-energy Pandemonium showcase and family-focused Junior Kadooment. Every ticketed fete and public gathering sold out completely, she confirmed, with even spontaneous vendor participation far exceeding expectations. “All of the fetes and all of the events have been sold out. The Pic-O-De-Crop final was absolutely full. We also had Pandemonium which was well attended and Junior Kadooment. Everything was well attended, and everybody is coming out including the vendors. All in all this year has been an excellent year,” Babb stated.

The 2026 season faced one unexpected logistical hurdle, however: the need to relocate the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals just weeks before the event, after Kensington Oval – the competition’s traditional home – was booked to host the state funeral of Barbados’ beloved National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers. Organizers first moved the finals to CARIFESTA Island, but after consulting with participating performers, the event was shifted to the more spacious, scenic National Botanical Gardens. The last-minute change proved to be a hit with attendees, and the event went off without a hitch. “In the end, we came to an agreement among the parties and that event went excellently,” Babb added.

As the festival heads into its final stretch, all attention is now turning to Tuesday’s Cohobblopot, a historic cultural showcase returning to the Crop Over calendar after more than 10 years off the lineup. Like the repositioned Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, the revived event will also be hosted at the National Botanical Gardens. This revival marks a deliberate effort to reconnect with Crop Over’s roots while reimagining the celebration for a new generation. Traditionally held on the Sunday before the headline Grand Kadooment parade, Cohobblopot has long been a core part of Crop Over, blending theatrical performance, elaborate traditional costume displays, and live music into a one-of-a-kind cultural showcase. For this year’s revival, organizers are bringing back rare heritage costumes, with plans to expand the showcase further in the 2027 festival.

Minister of State Shane Archer, who oversees youth and cultural policy in the Prime Minister’s Office, originally announced the event’s return earlier this year, framing it as a balancing act: creating an engaging, contemporary experience for younger attendees while evoking nostalgic memories for long-time Crop Over fans who enjoyed the event in past decades.

Beyond attendance and programming, NCF festival organizers credited on-the-ground partners with keeping the 2026 season safe and running smoothly. NCF Festival and Events Planner Stacia Bryan singled out the island’s security services for particular praise, noting that the entire festival remained largely incident-free thanks to early, coordinated planning. “We worked very early this year with the team from The Barbados Police Service and we have a new commissioner and have also been working with Assistant Commissioner Christine Stanford. She is amazing and has worked with us for about three to four Crop-Overs, so we have a well-oiled machine happening. The Barbados Defence Force — thank you to Brigadier Carlos Lovell and all the support we get,” Bryan said. She also extended gratitude to the Barbados Water Authority for installing critical hydration stations along the Grand Kadooment parade route, ensuring attendees stayed cool and safe through the day’s celebrations.

As one of Barbados’ most iconic cultural celebrations, the annual Crop Over festival’s flagship Grand Kadooment event faces growing pressure to preserve its indigenous craft roots amid shifting industry trends. To safeguard the centuries-old tradition of masquerade costume making for future generations, a cohort of veteran bandleaders has launched targeted youth training initiatives and long-term succession plans to keep the cultural heart of the festival beating.

Kathy-Ann Scott, founder of Haus of Mas who has built her brand over 11 years in the industry, made youth skills development a core priority for her 2024 band entry. Speaking with Barbados TODAY on the sidelines of the Flow 5G+ Grand Kadooment event, Scott explained that while running a mas band has grown increasingly challenging in recent decades, the shifting landscape has created a critical opening to rebuild local artistic capacity. This year, every costume displayed by her troupe was crafted entirely in Barbados by local artisans, with 15 and 16-year-old trainees joining the production line to learn core skills including feather work and costume framing.

Scott emphasized that nurturing local craft is not just a matter of heritage preservation—it is key to building long-term investment in the festival. “If we keep exporting all our costume production overseas, we lose the core art of costume making and masquerade itself,” she noted. “When people help create the celebration, they feel a sense of ownership, and that makes them far more committed to keeping the tradition alive.”

For 35-year industry veteran Betty West, the push to pass on her craft changed plans for her planned retirement. West announced last year that 2023 would mark her final year leading a Grand Kadooment band, but she has extended her tenure to train a new generation of creators. “I said this year would be my last, but that changed,” she shared. “I have young people now learning the craft, so I’ll stay on for two more years to make sure they’re ready.”

Henderson Jones, a master wirebender with more than 30 years of experience creating costume structures, warned that core traditional skills—including wire bending, costume shaping, and structural piece fabrication—are at risk of dying out completely. He is calling for formal integration of masquerade craft into national school curricula to build a sustained pipeline of new talent. Right now, Jones explained, schools only teach basic fabric decoration, not the advanced structural skills that are the backbone of authentic Grand Kadooment costume design. If production continues to shift to overseas manufacturers in Trinidad and China, he added, costume prices will skyrocket past the reach of most local participants, pricing communities out of the tradition they created.

Quincy Jones, bandleader of the popular troupe Zenobia, is preparing a gradual handover of leadership to a younger generation, framing succession as a natural and necessary step for the festival’s evolution. While he plans to step back in the near future, he emphasized the need to keep the festival’s cultural heritage at the center of its growth, even as the event evolves to meet modern tastes.

Veteran bandleader Christopher Williams, who returned to Grand Kadooment in 2023 after a 10-year hiatus, shares that concern. He stepped back into the festival specifically to help reverse what he sees as an erosion of the event’s indigenous cultural identity. Williams’ band Salt continues to center its performances around tributes to the Barbados Landship, a unique Indigenous cultural movement with roots in Barbadian working history, and he has already laid out plans for multiple iterations of this cultural tribute over the coming years. “I fully embrace change, but we need to maintain consistency around what is indigenous, what is creatively ours, and what defines our cultural identity,” he said.

Collectively, these veteran leaders’ efforts aim to ensure that Grand Kadooment grows not just as a popular tourist event, but as a living, locally rooted cultural practice that belongs to generations of Barbadians to come.