Spotify has partnered with the Toronto Caribbean Carnival to showcase Caribbean artists, DJs, and creators.
The partnership marks the first-ever sponsorship by a music streaming service for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
Under the banner of “Carnival Sounds,” Spotify will showcase the sounds of reggae, dancehall, soca, and more.
“Spotify is at the center of music & culture. We’re excited to capture the vibrant rhythms and rich heritage of the Caribbean through our partnership with the Toronto Caribbean Carnival,” Shantel Noel, Artist & Label Partnerships, Spotify Canada, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Until Aug. 7, Spotify will curate a series of specially crafted playlists for the carnival, with both local and international DJs taking part in guest curating some of the playlists.
The playlists and DJs include:
- Carnival: Curated by D’Bandit (@lookdbandit), hailing from Toronto and representing Grenada.
- Dancehall Official: Hosted by Night Owl Sound (@nightowlsound), from Toronto’s own OVO Mark x OVO Noel.
- House Party: Masterfully put together by Dr. Jay, aka Soca Prince (@socaprince), a legend in the Soca music scene that has helped connect generations of young Torontonians to their Caribbean roots. The House Party playlist will be updated in early August.
- Irie: Brought by world-renowned DJ, radio pioneer and Canada’s Reggae ambassador, Spex Da Boss (@spexdaboss).
- Soca Classics: From award-winning DJ with more than 15 years in the Toronto DJ game, Lissa Monet (@heylissamonet).
- Massive Soca Hits: From Barbadian DJ and 2016 winner of the Red Bull Music 3Style World DJ Championships, DJ Puffy (@deejaypuffy).
“Music plays a tremendous role in the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, so this partnership with Spotify is a natural fit,” Mischka Crichton, CEO of the Festival Management Committee, producers of Toronto Caribbean Carnival, said in a statement. “This is an opportunity to elevate our talented DJs and Caribbean music through Carnival Sounds. We are bringing the world to Toronto Carnival through the Spotify platform!”
In celebration of the partnership, Spotify is also hosting its first Carnival event on Aug. 3 at Toronto’s Cabana Pool Bar. The event is in collaboration with Spotify’s FREQUENCY and the legendary Soca Or Die Party, hosted by Dr. Jay, who is also guest curating Spotify’s House Party playlist.
