Each year, Miami Carnival draws attention from across the diaspora, highlighting the diverse sounds that define the region’s culture.. This year’s highlight, Big Bad Bouyon celebrates the Dominican genre as part of the newly introduced Big Bad Festival—a comprehensive three-day Caribbean music event organized by Jay Upscale.
Scheduled for October 10-11, 2025, a release from organizers shared that the festival features a blend of Soca, Dancehall, Konpa, and Bouyon. While Soca and Dancehall have traditionally been dominant at Miami Carnival, they say this year’s Saturday night segment is dedicated to Bouyon, a lively, rhythm-centric genre that emerged from Dominica’s street and carnival scenes and is gradually earning international recognition.
Jay Upscale, known for curating musical events in the tri-state area and founder of the Big Bad Festival, observes the genre’s rapid ascent.
“Bouyon is more than music, it’s an energy, a movement,” he stated.“Bringing it to Miami Carnival isn’t just about diversifying the sound; it’s about showing how deeply the Caribbean diaspora connects through rhythm.”
The event will take place at Toe Jam, a contemporary and intimate venue situated in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. Leading the lineup is Ridge, a two-time recipient of the Caribbean Music Awards’ Bouyon Artist of the Year accolade. The lineup also includes artists such as 1T1, Edday, Shelly, Reo, Trilla-G, Infrared, DJ Luchshiy, and Unstoppable Shax. The evening aims to capture Bouyon’s raw energy—an expression rooted in Dominica’s carnival traditions but resonant with audiences worldwide.
For Ridge, performing Bouyon at Miami Carnival signifies a milestone in the genre’s international expansion.
“To perform Bouyon on a Miami Carnival stage is such a good feeling,” he remarks. “Bouyon music is the hottest genre right now heading into the Carnival. It’s proof that our sound—born in the streets and studios of Dominica—now moves crowds across the world.”
The Big Bad Festival spans three key nights, as outlined in the press release. Carnival Friday features performances by artists like Skinny Fabulous, Problem Child, and Lady Lava, primarily showcasing Soca. The event concludes with Big Bad Brunch on Monday, October 13. The Saturday night focus is solely on Bouyon, emphasizing the sound “in its purest form.”
Shelly of Signal Band, one of Dominica’s leading Bouyon groups, highlights the cultural significance: “Bouyon has always been about expression and identity. It is truly an honor to represent the music I grew up on in Dominica.”
From the streets of Roseau to stages in London and now Miami, Bouyon continues its global journey, evolving while maintaining its core themes of rhythm and community.
“As the Caribbean diaspora gathers this October, Big Bad Bouyon is more than just another event, it’s a declaration that Dominica’s sound has arrived on one of the world’s biggest carnival stages,” said the release.
