Episode Description
In this J’Ouvert Morning release, we sit with Stanton Kewley — co-founder of 3 Canal, master craftsman, sculptor, teacher, and one of the true Kings of J’Ouvert.
From the raw, rope-less energy of early J’Ouvert mornings to the evolution of rapso as philosophy, Stanton reflects on what Carnival has lost — and what must be preserved. He speaks passionately about the ritual of waiting for dawn, the transformation of paint and powder into spirit, and why J’Ouvert was never just about mud… it was about meaning
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We explore:
The birth and growth of 3 Canal’s J’Ouvert band
Why ritual matters more than spectacle
The philosophy of rapso: “Representing A Positive Social Outlook”
Mentorship, teaching, and guiding the next generation
The making of Blue and the idea of “making a statement”
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Craftsmanship in mas, sculpture, and stage design
The danger of cultural self-contempt and losing our voice
Stanton shares powerful reflections on stepping away from leading the J’Ouvert band after 30 years, choosing instead to mentor youth through spaces like the Black Box and Backyard Jams. For him, Carnival is not competition — it is communion. Not product — but expression.