“Carnival Doesn’t Feel Caribbean Anymore”: Notting Hill Carnival’s Evolution
For many in the Caribbean community, there’s a growing feeling that Notting Hill Carnival no longer reflects its cultural roots. What was once a powerful symbol of unity, resistance, and a celebration of Caribbean heritage is becoming a diluted version of itself.
Notting Hill Carnival was born out of the spirit of community. Caribbean activists Claudia Jones and Rhaune Laslett created the event as a way to heal the fractured Notting Hill community, celebrate Caribbean culture, and resist racism through joy, music, and solidarity. Today, however, some long-time attendees feel that Carnival has strayed from this mission.
Annette, who was born in London after her mother came to the UK during the Windrush generation, now opts out of attending NHC. “There isn’t as much of a Caribbean community anymore,”
That sentiment echoes widely, especially as concerns rise about the inclusion of non-Caribbean musical genres such as Afrobeats. While there are many music genres included at NHC, the inclusivity of non-Caribbean music is a highly contentious topic.
Annette says: “I find that as Caribbean people, we tend to be too all-encompassing and too accepting. We say “Oh, let everybody come and do their thing. It's fine. We're all having fun. Yes, let the afro beats come, let the drum and bass come, let grime in.” But now everyone is putting their sound stations on the corner. From the time they started doing that, they made it a free-for-all. It's not fair. When they have Afro festivals, they don't say, "Yeah, let Machel Montano come and sing.” They say, "This is for afro beats and afro beats alone.” Carnival doesn't feel Caribbean anymore ”
This growing commercialisation comes with growing concern that the economic benefits of the carnival are starting to outweigh the original political and cultural pillars it was created with. There’s no denying Carnival’s economic power. A study by The Voice revealed that Notting Hill Carnival contributes over £396 million to the UK economy annually, making it one of Europe’s largest outdoor events.
This concern has prompted organisers to take action. In recent years, some bands have reportedly been banned from participating unless they include enough soca or calypso in their musical sets, a move that some see as necessary, and others see as gatekeeping.
But not everyone is opposed to this, Shaun, who has Bajan heritage, does not have a problem with non-caribbean music genres being included. “I mean it's not the same as it used to be years ago. But it brings a sense of togetherness, not just for Caribbean people but for the wider community. I think we need to move with the times”
Beyond music, other aspects of Carnival culture are being misinterpreted or stripped of meaning. For instance, the sexualisation of women in mas costumes has meant that people are not aware of the deep cultural significance of Carnival attire. Jemelle, a Bajan, argues that the sexualisation of whining has come from people who don't understand the cultural history of it. “It's people who shouldn't be at carni who see it like that. In my opinion, they have no business here because they don't understand Caribbean culture. Another Caribbean person would never see it as sexual”
Aizerelle, also Bajan, recalls one year seeing a Durex condom ad at NHC. “They were advertising it as if it's an integral part of a celebration. But it's not. But that's what they think we get up to. Just wining on everybody and having sex. But it's not true”
Annette continued: “Carnival was made for us to celebrate our culture. We left our things back in the Caribbean during Windrush, and we needed to reconnect to our roots and show people what we're about. We needed to show them that we're not all thugs and teefing (thieving).”
Many people are now disengaging with the event, instead opting to attend international carnivals like Crop Over in Barbados or Trinidad’s world-famous Carnival, where they feel the cultural foundations are better protected.
It’s important to note that the Caribbean diaspora is not opposed to exchanges of culture. Many people recognise and respect the shared histories and struggles among African, Caribbean, and Black communities. But when one group becomes overshadowed or ignored, people begin to feel disrespected. Carnival was never meant to be just a party. To view it as such reduces it to another black music festival without roots, and we risk losing our sense of identity.
