The South Jersey Caribbean Cultural and Development Organization (SJCCDO) announced on Tuesday that Trinidad and Tobago Soca Star, Lyrikal will headline the 23rd Annual South Jersey Caribbean Festival at Wiggins Park, Camden, NJ Waterfront on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Kylla Herbert, SJCCDO president, told Caribbean Life that patrons will “enjoy a taste of the Caribbean” on the Camden waterfront at Wiggins Park, 1 Riverside Dr., next to Adventure Aquarium, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:0 p.m.

“There will be traditional Caribbean foods, including curry shrimp, roti, empanadas, jerk chicken and more,” said Herbert, whose late father hailed from Nevis, part of the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

“The 23rd Annual South Jersey Caribbean Festival is a premier community event that brings Caribbean culture, dance, and live band performances to the concert stage in the South Jersey and Philadelphia regions,” she added. “This FREE multi-cultural family festival will also have children’s activities, community information, health resources, and giveaways.”

Herbert said Lyrikal, whose real name is Devon Martin, is the 2023 featured international artist.

She said Lyrikal is “a dynamic performer that has managed to be a consistent voice on the airwaves worldwide.

“His music has taken him on tours throughout Europe, Africa, Canada, USA and the Caribbean,” Herbert said. “Lyrikal has built an extensive catalog and has released several hits.”

She said Lyrikal received five COTT (Copyright Organization of Trinidad and Tobago) music nominations in 2015 and won the award for People’s Choice Most Popular Single.

He also received Role Model of Distinction Award from the Caribbean American Center of New York for his humanitarian efforts in 2017.

Herbert said Lyrikal’s repertoire consists of over 100 releases, including “Fete Cyah Over,” “Conquer Meh,” “Cloud 9,” “Loner,” “Dip and Roll” and his signature 2021 hit “Happy Place.”

He has released three studio albums and is currently working on his fourth album, scheduled to be released in 2023, Herbert said.

She said the 2023 South Jersey Caribbean Festival will have Afro-Caribbean and Latin cultural performances, as well as, among others, performances from Camden’s own Universal African Dance and Drum ensemble, the Philadelphia Pan Stars Steel Orchestra, Kaisokah Moko Jumbies (Stilt Dancers), LA Orchestra 95 – Latin Band and Soca Sakita Fitness.

The SJCCDO is sponsored in part by the Camden County Parks and Camden County Cultural Commission.

For more information about the South Jersey Caribbean Festival, contact Herbert at (856) 580-0178, sjcaribbean@gmail.com or log on to www.sjcaribbean.org.