Host Africa Allah and Dalia from Bahamas Carnival Guide sit down with social media influencer and Caribbean Culture Curator Dope Like Blaze to explore his rapid ascent in the Carnival world.
Key Points & Unpopular Opinions:
The Influencer’s Responsibility: Blaze, who recently accepted the title of “Social Media Influencer,” stresses that this platform comes with a responsibility. He believes he must balance the fun of “feting” and “rum” with an authentic, truthful perspective that educates his audience on the deep history, local artistry, and cultural origins of each unique island’s celebration, pushing back against the division and promoting unity.
The 2024 Revelation (Most Interesting Part): Blaze, known for his high-energy Carnival content, reveals his first real Carnival experience was shockingly recent: St. Thomas in 2024. He details how the feeling of “pure happiness and togetherness” on the road instantly solidified his life’s mission to chase that “euphoric high” around the world.
The Diaspora Wars & Cosplaying (Conflict Point): Blaze addresses the constant “Caribbean diaspora wars” and the social media comments that accused him of “cosplaying” for not having a thick island accent. He dismisses the gatekeeping, asserting that his frequent childhood summers spent in Manchester, Jamaica, give him deep roots. He even shares how he combats the critics by bringing his Jamaican-born mother on camera to settle the debate.
The Ultimate Freedom (Emotional Core): Both Africa Allah and Blaze agree on the most profound cultural aspect of Carnival: the sense of absolute equality and freedom. Blaze describes his experience in Grenada playing Jab (oildown) as “tribal,” where he felt “the freest I ever felt” because everyone was stripped down, removing all social borders and divisions.