Rupee headlines Tropicalfete's fifth Caribbean carnival pop-up in Times Square
The Barbadian soca star performed for more than an hour and received proclamations and a City Council citation for his music and HIV/AIDS advocacy.
NEW YORK, United States. Steel pan music, costumes, stilt walkers and soca took over Times Square on August 30 as the Brooklyn non-profit Tropicalfete staged its fifth Caribbean carnival pop-up.
Crowds packed the intersection of Broadway and 47th Street for the event, headlined by Barbadian soca artist Rupee, born Rupert Clarke, whose crossover hit "Tempted to Touch" made the Billboard charts.
Rupee performed for more than an hour, leaving the stage to move through the crowd, hugging and singing to fans. His set included "Pump Me Up", "What Happens in de Party", "I am a Bajan" and "Beautiful Barbados".
He thanked revellers for supporting him and urged parents to pass on the culture. "Parents, children are the message," he said.
Honours for the singer
Rupee received a New York Senate proclamation from Senator Roxanne Persaud, presented by staff member Jennifer Viechweg Horsford, in recognition of his contribution to music. He was also recognised for a ballad dedicated to his mother, written to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and education across the Caribbean.
He received further proclamations from Senator Zellnor Myrie and from Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, through his staff. Council Member Chris Banks presented a City Council citation bearing the names of eight council members, including Speaker Julie Menin.
Youth on show
The afternoon opened with youth moko jumbies performing acrobatics on stilts. The Riddim Explosion steel pannists accompanied young masqueraders in costume ahead of the Labor Day carnival.
Bands included Suga Candy Mas Kids, Tropicalfete masqueraders, Ole Mas, King Jab and Company, and Back to Basics with Big Boy Production. Spice Generation performed folk dance, French violinist Mapy played a solo, and the Tropicalfete Steel Orchestra, made up of young players, accompanied Rupee on one of his songs.
Shaniah Presscott, 24, an eight-year member of Tropicalfete, now leads the band. "Our program includes stilts, voice, and dance movement," she said.
"Take over Times Square"
Founder and president Alton Aimable said the event was a nod to the Labor Day carnival and that it was fitting for Caribbean people to bring a pop-up to Times Square.
He said performers chosen to appear with the youth orchestra must have music that is relatable to what the children are doing.
"We all have to celebrate our community, and I don't like to take a back seat when it comes to our culture," he said. "Hopefully, we can take over Times Square and it becomes a staple in the New York arts and culture scene."
Tropicalfete will appear on Eastern Parkway this year on a PIX 11 float. Corporate sponsor NYC Health and Hospitals' Gotham Health also attended.
