Two of the Caribbean’s most influential musical voices, soca legend Kees Dieffenthaller of KesTheBand and reggae icon Buju Banton have been appointed honorary grand marshalls of the 59th Annual New York Caribbean Carnival Week and Parade. Presented by West Indian American Carnival Day Association (WIADCA), the parade will take place on Labour Day, Monday, September 7, in Brooklyn, New York. In a press release, the organisers said that this appointment “reflects the spirit of this year’s Carnival theme, ‘One Caribbean’, celebrating the cultural connections that unite the region and its diaspora across borders, generations, and musical traditions. It underscores the power of music to bring Caribbean people together and to introduce the region’s culture, creativity, and heritage to audiences around the world.” From Trinidad and Tobago’s soca and carnival culture to Jamaica’s reggae and dancehall traditions, Dieffenthaller and Banton represent the extraordinary influence of Caribbean music on global culture. As the lead vocalist of KesTheBand, Kees Dieffenthaller (also known as Kes) has become one of the most recognisable voices in contemporary Caribbean music. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Dieffenthaller has championed the sounds and spirit of Trinidad and Tobago by helping to propel soca onto international stages – while maintaining a deep connection to the culture and traditions from which the music emerged. Through his music and performances, Kes embodies the energy, creativity, and communal spirit of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival while connecting audiences across the Caribbean and the global diaspora. Buju Banton, one of Jamaica’s most celebrated recording artistes and a defining voice in reggae and dancehall, is widely considered a global voice of Caribbean culture. With a career spanning decades, Banton has played a significant role in bringing Jamaican music and Caribbean culture to international audiences. His influence extends far beyond music, with his work helping to shape the global perception of Jamaican culture. With a host of chart-topping hits and cross-cultural collaborations, his music has resonated across generations and continents, establishing him as one of the Caribbean diaspora’s most influential cultural figures. Together, Buju Banton and Kes represent two distinct but deeply connected traditions within Caribbean music, making their appointment especially meaningful under the 2026 banner of One Caribbean. “Kees Dieffenthaller and Buju Banton 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 Labour Day celebrations honours the diversity of our Caribbean heritage while reminding us of the strength we have when we celebrate what unites us,” said the WIADCA Board of Directors. The honorary grand marshalls will be recognised as part of WIADCA’s 59th Annual VIP Breakfast. Under the theme ‘M.A.S.: Music, Action, Soul – Enjoy the rhythm, Feel the Mas’, the breakfast takes place on September 7 at Lincoln Terrace Park in Brooklyn, New York. Held on Carnival Parade Day, the breakfast brings together elected officials, community leaders, business executives, cultural ambassadors, sponsors, media, and supporters from across New York’s Caribbean-American community. The breakfast serves as a signature WIADCA tradition and a gathering point for leaders and supporters before the New York Caribbean Carnival Parade. It provides an opportunity to recognise the people and organisations whose contributions continue to strengthen Caribbean communities in New York and throughout the diaspora. The VIP Breakfast will then be followed by the New York Caribbean Carnival Parade for the general public. For nearly six decades, WIADCA has preserved and promoted Caribbean culture through the New York Caribbean Carnival. The event is brought in media partnership with Irie Jam Radio, VP Records, Gargamel Music, Chambers Media Solutions and Schure Media Group. entertainment@gleanerjm.com