Last week, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) launched Lucian Carnival 2026 internationally in Miami, Florida, during the city’s own Carnival celebrations.
As part of efforts to define and elevate the brand of Lucian Carnival, Saint Lucia’s presence featured the infectious sounds of Dennery Segment, a genre laced with English and Kwéyòl lyrics, which is now synonymous with Saint Lucian culture and Carnival energy.
Judging by the crowd’s reaction to performances by three Saint Lucian Dennery Segment artistes, the genre stands as a force to be reckoned with.
“I know that song, I love that song!” one Uber driver exclaimed as DJ Sir Lancealot played Umpa’s One Drop.
Lancealot and Umpa were joined by Blackboy and Mighty, two Dennery Segment artistes now based in the UK.
According to Geraine Georges, public relations manager at the SLTA, this year marked a strategic shift to incorporating Dennery Segment into Lucian Carnival promotions to tell its story and spotlight the artistes behind the sound.
“We recognise how the music has grown and how it excites regional and international carnivals,” Georges told St. Lucia Times. “What better way to showcase Lucian Carnival, which has grown tremendously, than through music that is authentically Saint Lucian?”
Lancealot, credited with coining the term Dennery Segment, along with Blackboy, Umpa, and Mighty, thrilled audiences at the official international launch. The event, attended by travel partners, media, and influencers, also featured Saint Lucian dancers demonstrating signature moves to the music.
The performers continued to energise crowds at No Borders, an event featuring Caribbean Soca artistes.
Saint Lucia’s Miami presence culminated in a high, with the Parade of Bands and mega concert on Sunday, October 12, at the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds. Umpa, Mighty, and Blackboy — backed by Lancealot and supported by Barry Hype — ignited the stage, with many Saint Lucians in the crowd showing their love.
Also performing were Saint Lucia’s 2024 Groovy Monarch Nerdy and Arthur Allain, both veterans of past Lucian Carnival launches. Brand Saint Lucia and Lucian Carnival were prominently featured on Revel Nation’s truck during the parade.
The team, along with the Saint Lucian cast, fielded numerous queries about Saint Lucia and Lucian Carnival, both of which appeared well-known and widely recognised.
Carnival enthusiasts from across the globe expressed their love for Lucian Carnival, with many saying they’d either attended before and planned to return, or had heard of it and were eager to experience it next year.
The SLTA’s presence at the Miami Dade County Fairgrounds included Georges, Consul General Darrel Montrope, Director of Global Marketing Dexter Percil, and Marketing Manager for Caribbean, Events and Sports Christopher Gustave.
