Hunger Strike by Soca Artist Over Vybz Kartel in Carnival

Yankey Boy, a Trinidadian soca singer residing in New York, has gone on a hunger strike in protest of Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel’s scheduled performance at Trinidad Carnival next year.

According to Yankey Boy, the carnival should exclusively feature local culture and Soca music. The artist, whose actual name is Kevon Heath, is shown with a banner covering his torso in pictures posted on his Instagram.

The statement reads, “Since Vybz Kartel is set to perform Carnival on Feb 28, Yankey Boy Hunger Strike Day 1.”

Additionally, the sign states that the strike will continue unless Kartel modifies the date of his performance, proposing Ash Wednesday on March 5, 2025.

Yankey Boy had his lips taped and donned a blue beanie as well. Another post he made said, “There are 52 Fridays in a Year, pick another Date!! You people are killing SOCA and continuously making excuses.”

“CARNIVAL SUPPOSED TO BE ONLY SOCA, CALYPSO, CHUTNEY, STEEL PAN & TASSA,” he added.

The soca performer has expressed his disgust over dancehall’s presence in soca venues on previous occasions.

He posted a video on his social media platforms on September 2nd, venting his annoyance at masqueraders who use dancehall and hip-hop music while playing masks.

Additionally, on October 2, he published a song called “Only Soca,” which promoted the idea that only Trinidad and Tobago-native music should be played at carnivals throughout the diaspora. This caused a dispute among several industry participants.