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As the excitement continued to build toward the climax of Tuesday’s mas, 3:30am Carnival Monday morning, Joy Juice and I found ourselves descending upon St. James, Port of Spain. Why you ask? Well, for the warm-up road session of course! It’s J’ouvvvvveeerrrt mornnnnning! Blow yuh whistle! Knock yuh bottle! Oh My oh My... oh My oh My! TJJ was once again partaking in Whyte Angels J’ouvert; with this year’s theme, the Luau Edition! And oooh boy... what an edition it was!

Situated on Dengue Street, a stone’s throw from the iconic Smokey & Bunty, the band headquarters was not only easy to find, but doubled as the ultimate liming spot for J’ouvert revelers. At the camp we were greeted by the promoter and the entire family - mom, aunty, cousin, granny, nen nen, sister, brother and every other kin in the world. All, in addition to the other eager revelers, were already fueling themselves for the road with servings of doubles and bake & shark by our own vendors! What?!?! Talk about a breakfast of champions! Surely we had to partake in that! “Two doubles with everything on it please!” “And ah bake and shark wid tamarind sauce!” That’s how to start the festivities. Did I mention that food was also served post-J’ouvert festivities?? Yes indeed!! Never witnessed in other bands, call it unprecedented, patrons being served food... after J’ouvert! Certainly worthy of being mentioned, Whyte Angels is known for serving their peeps. All the time. You know the matter serious when this is highlighted before getting into the teeth of the action. Thank you Whyte Angels’ family for serving us BEFORE and AFTER J’ouvert!

Subsequent to practically inhaling breakfast, we grabbed our Whyte Angels’ nap-sack complete with all our J’ouvert accessories.... and we were off! But wait, what’s that? Sweets? Chewing Gum? Confectionery to help ourselves to? Nice touch! Freshen the palette... and NOW we ready for the road.

Chipping to the sounds of the rhythm section we made our way out of the side streets towards the main route, where top-of-the-line DJ Freeze International out of Brooklyn, New York alongside the highly reputable DJ Dane, was aboard the massive music truck. Finally, now heading west on Mucurapo Street, cup in hand, made it to drinks truck (for some liquid courage... not that any was needed by the way! #justsaying)... DJ music now piercing the early morning skies and just so, the thing start. With good music, a bubbling, diverse crowd full of vibez, an abundance of drinks, and great service all-round, what more could you ask for!?! Ohhh Ohhh... question, “Where all dem women does come from Dadddyyyyyy?” Bumper like Raiinnnnn!!

Please forgive me... Flashbacks, Flashbacks! Anyway before too long the band found itself crossing paths with another J’ouvert band (not calling the band by name but rhymes with Dellow Yevilz) and what ensued was epic. With the music cut on both trucks, the opposing mic man instigated a challenge, which band had more vibez? Well, we did not have to wait long for the (obvious) answer...Whyte Angels’ DJ Freeze dropped it 'Like Ah Boss'!!! And it was over before it started! A technical knockout! Paint and powder filled the air... camera man and all could not escape... and the already energized crowd turned into a frenzy. What an experience being in the winning band. Now THAT’S a "TRUCK OFF!”!!!! Both bands were now pumping to the Whyte Angels’ truck, chipping away in their own direction. Love it. Perhaps a cliché when I say it, but you really HAD to be there!

The excitement of some over zealous revelers was so contagious and could not be contained, so much so that the joy was spread to “innocent spectators” fenced in along the route. Have you ever seen a Pompek play J’ouvert?!? Well if not, there is a first for everything. Donned with powder and purple paint! No lie!

The pumpments continued as the band doubled back heading east into Woodbrook, and for those who weren’t solely concentrating on shaking his/her waist could witness the sun slowly rise. Daylight now, and with the sun reaching its full morning glory, it was prime time for something refreshing. Wait! Is that a snowcone vendor in the band??  Shut up your lying mouth! Where did that resurrect?!?! Give me one please... with condensed milk! Lol ... just because.

Soon last lap was upon us, the final stretch through St. James along Western Main Road back to headquarters. Time for one, or two, or three... you get the idea... last jumps. And even though the route was a little long this year, we were not ready to leave.

It was then back to mas camp for nourishment, but not before reality did truly come to fruition with Marlon taking the mic to thank all the Whyte Angels’ family and patrons for making the J’ouvert as successful as it was. It was #BESS!

Joy Juice, Hypa Juice and TJJ fam would like to give a big shout out and thank you to Marlon and the Whyte Angels family for letting us be part of something special. Looking forward to next year and beyond. We bringing we frennnnz and demmm! A shout out also to Freeze International, DJ Dane, the security staff who had everything lockdown, MelzP, her sister and their winer waist crew from New York, big up to the truck owner,  the doubles and the bake and shark vendors, Allana and the ‘All over the place’ crew (lol), and anyone else we may have left out... nuff respect!

We Love Carnival... We Know Carnival... We Are Carnival (and J’ouvert too!)

Did we forget anything?? Add your 2 cents below...

-Hypa Juice

>> View Whyte Angels J'ouvert 2015 - Part 1 Gallery
>> View Whyte Angels J'ouvert 2015 - Part 2 Gallery
>> View Trinidad Carnival 2015 Coverage