aturday (26th) was the launch of the Masquerade 2000 presentation for Notting Hill Carnival 2008 Ole`, I really wanted to see it but could not make it, however taking a look on carnival central I saw some of what I needed to see. 
The theme is Spanish, with sections like Matador, Carmen, Flamenco Dancers, Semana Santa, and Stampede, with the moko jumbies section comes the African element to the band, if this was done on purpose or accident I cant say but it does add to the theme.
It seems like the artistic direction of Lincoln Rahamut and designer David Brown has come up with a potential band of the year, putting M2K back on the road with a style that was synonymous with the band in the past.
Looking at the photos on island mix did have me questioning at first the bands, ability to successfully challenge for the Band of the year title, but the little I saw on the video created an atmosphere that if re-created at the splash and the road on Carnival day, with sufficient floor members they can pull it off.
It is hard to tell what the quality and workmanship will look like or what damage was done to the bands creative team if any by the exodus of the Bacchanal Mas sect.
However the big band M2K has creatively survived the hijacking of its image and the exodus of some of its members, only time will tell if they can maintain their position as a force to recon with on the streets of Notting hill this year.
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well I was quite surprised by ole I was expecting something spectacular considering the exit of their trainee designer. Maybe I was expecting too much but lincoln has done all of this before and there is nothing new, it lacked passion
Anonymous!
why yuh calling the man a trainee designer?
He designing for his own band and yuh calling him a trainee?
He is a designer yuh hear?
have a lil respect nah man/woman.
As for PASSION, PASSION is for youth, pumped up with IDEALS and HUNGER,Lincoln done did it won it lost it and regained it all he has to do is represent it, (culture) and as for NEW, TELL ME Anonymous one when is the last time Notting hill Carnival produced something original or NEW?
I agree, show me innovation i'll show u the copy from the band in trinidad. lincoln has his style and has produced a 'masquerade 2000' band. it looks like m2k... either way if you want to see MASQUERADE 2000 spectacular designs, look at the larger pieces.
You think masquerade does tours because of the sections alone... lol. YEA RIGHT! and AGAIN... HOW RUDE. i don't think he'd like to be called a trainee designer either. he is a designer in his own right.. he bringing out a band ent'?
lol.
Bachanal, while i agree that competition does create innovation money should not be the motivation for an artist,to probe the very limits of his creative universe.
check out how many great artist died poor but their works are wort millions now, I'm not saying we should go through this today and suffer for the art form, but We as creative forces should not limit or talents to the limited cash in our pockets.
The early Masmen had no money or funding to back them, or to motivate or stimulate their creativity,this is one of the problems with this generation, the prize is not creative excellence but monetary gain.
SO hear nah Bachanal you guys hitting the gala this year, or is the teacher vs student clash going to be settled on the streets?
Anonymous, who you think will win in a MAS CLASH, the old experianced teacher or the flashy style of the young student?
Well The Trainee ! has produced n impressive collection and that is why I am surprised by M2K response,I expected a bit more effort not ready made head pieces, masks etc.
Who could come out top at the gala?
depends if Lincoln puts his energies in the right place! He has lead his field and rightly so but who knows if he can pull it off.
Hey let me give an insight... You can't enter the competition or have a 'band' unless you've been a member of the mas association for at least two years...
I have seen a lot of Big Mas costumes (Kings and Queens) . I have noticed the one thing they have in common, from London-Trinidad is great metal frame work and structure.
I did a little bit of research and found out this form of construction is known as wire bending. It involves a lot of welding metal.
I found out that the good Mas makers which know how to bend the sort of metal which is needed to make a good mountable back pack for large costumes are few to nearly non existent, they are a dying breed.
Mas frame construction is almost a "science". Mas makers work out how to make the large costume body friendly and balance at the same time on each side of the performer. They also Weld the frame together.
Bachanal mas said: "lmao no i will not be attending the splash this year i know you may find this a big irony but i want to establish the band over the next 2 years before i really start to pull out all me big cards!".......
This comment strikes me as a clever spin, as they would say in the world of politics. Im wondering if the designer of Bachanal Mas or anyone on his team has acquired the skills to make a large mountable costume. I guess we will find out in two years.
Anonymous I know this, but yuh read my boy spin on it?
I tell yuh he could make a good spin doctor for real!
if yuh slip yuh slide with this man yes.
LOL!
But seriously i think that rule should go, what is the purpose of such a rule, who does it protect and who does it benefit?
It Seems the designer has 'studied' the mas boy, which has no influence on him or his mas what so ever... although I too could give the year, one of his sections 'reminds' me of... lol... im sure he can too so there is no point. Either way, designers must start somewhere eh massass?
we all have our points of origin, we all started at the point where the influences on us were strongest.
The question is what direction do we move to if and when we develop?
Anonymous what is your point of origin, how did you get into mas?
you seem to have a knowledge on structure and backpacks and wire bending, now that is a specialist area to cover.
whats your story?
cyant wait...!
I think M2K was fabulous on Monday. I was kind of surprise about the design, but was excited. I was kinda getting bored of the same knickers and bra that the women wear and the shorts and to piece thing around the waist, etc.... If I am honest, M2K stood out for me. My friends enjoyed their performance as well, especially one guy with dread locks who was in the Matador section. He can dance man....lol
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