Meet the Mas Bands: Soca Sagaboys (SSB)
Soca Sagaboys has been promoting Soca and Calypso music for over 30 years through mas art and music.
Soca Sagaboys (2019/2019) by Soca SagaboysNotting Hill Carnival
Soca Sagaboys
Soca Sagaboys, London, are a non-profit, unincorporated organisation formed in 1990, initially to promote Soca and Calypso music in the UK by founding Saga Boy Tony Cumberbatch.
Tony Cumberbatch
Tony's (pictured) vision was not only to promote Soca and Calypso music in the U.K., but to take it to new audiences around the world. This has led the team to touring, hosting radio shows, compering and performing alongside leading and upcoming artistes.
Soca Sagaboys (2013/2013) by Soca SagaboysNotting Hill Carnival
Soca Sagaboys' Aims
Soca Sagaboys aim to educate and inspire future generations whilst also commemorating pioneers of carnival arts.
Soca Sagaboys (2015/2015) by Soca SagaboysNotting Hill Carnival
Throughout their work, Soca Sagaboys pay homage to their ancestral links through the art forms of mas and music, and use their innovative designs to inspire others. They also aspire to be innovate whilst using technology, and aim to leave a positive digital footprint.
Soca Sagaboys (2015/2015) by Soca SagaboysNotting Hill Carnival
Current Projects
Soca Sagaboys have expanded to include a multitude of strategic and artistic arms within the organisation.
Soca Sagaboys (2014/2014) by Soca SagaboysNotting Hill Carnival
Of these they have their own costume designer, Fantasea Designs, which can be contacted for festival and carnival costume design and production.
Soca Sagaboys (2016/2016) by Soca SagaboysNotting Hill Carnival
Soca Sagaboys also incorperates international DJs, promoting all genres of music and cultural and education projects through their academic partner, R Consultancy.
Soca Sagaboys (2014/2014) by Soca SagaboysNotting Hill Carnival
Alongside this, Soca Sagaboys restore legendary historical Sound Systems as well as providing costumes for music videos, festivals, shows and corporate bookings.
They are inter-generational and cater for a wide cross section of the population.
Soca Sagaboys at the London New Years Day Parade by Soca SagaboysNotting Hill Carnival
Recently Soca Sagaboys has been collaborating with the Windrush19 group to produce an annual Windrush Calendar.
This image shows the Soca Sagaboys mas band in the London New Years Day Parade, depicting the arrival of the Windrush era through mas and visual storytelling.
Soca Sagaboys (2014/2014) by Soca SagaboysNotting Hill Carnival
Soca Sagaboys have been working hard, designing and producing a number of costumes for upcoming carnival events, and they are currently working on the 2022 Windrush calendar. They are looking forward to the future, and are working on upcoming physical appearances at a number of UK carnivals for 2022.
Watch Soca Sagaboys' Notting Hill Carnival 2020: Access All Areas performance here.
If you've enjoyed getting to know Soca Sagaboys, be sure to follow them on their socials:
Instagram: @socasagaboys
Twitter: @SocaSagaBoys
Facebook: @SocaSagaBoys
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