Memorial Day in South Florida came with a healthy dose of football, music and Caribbean camaraderie as the annual Voice of the Caribbean Radio Celebrity Football Match brought artists, media personalities and sound system selectors together for a lively showdown at the Lauderhill Sports Complex.
The event, held in partnership with Lauderhill Vice Mayor Richard Campbell and supported by sponsors including Natural Herbs, Grocery List and Flojam Legal, transformed the sports complex into a family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture. Beyond the action on the field, patrons enjoyed music, food vendors and activities that gave the day the feel of a true community lime.
What made the event especially entertaining was its star-studded lineup. Caribbean recording artists, selectors and radio personalities traded microphones and turntables for football boots as they battled for bragging rights on the pitch. Among those taking part were Lukie D, Christopher Martin, Tony Matterhorn, Mad Cobra, Tony Curtis, Mr. Lexx, Jashii, Laa Lee, Jigsy King, Wayne Wonder, Tifa, Supa Twitch of SupaSound, Mega Banton, Galaxy P and Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair.
The celebrity matchup drew a strong showing of supporters and notable figures from across South Florida’s Caribbean community. Also in attendance were Broward County Commissioner Hazelle Rogers, Lauderhill Commissioner John T. Hodgson, Voice of the Caribbean Radio founder and veteran broadcaster Michael “DJ Mikey Mike” Downer, Jeanniel “Ms. Chin” Sterling and veteran singer Ed Robinson.
At its heart, the annual event continues to serve as a gathering point for the Caribbean diaspora in South Florida, bringing together music, sport and community in one space. It was a reminder of how deeply Caribbean culture continues to shape the social fabric of cities like Lauderhill, where events like this create opportunities for connection across generations.
When the final whistle blew, it was the team of media personalities and sound system selectors who emerged victorious, earning both the trophy and a full year of bragging rights until the teams meet again. But beyond the result, the bigger win was the atmosphere itself: an afternoon that celebrated Caribbean talent, strengthened community bonds and once again showed the power of culture to bring people together.
Kudos to DJ Mikey Mike, Ms. Chin, the Voice of the Caribbean Radio team, the sponsors, volunteers and supporters who helped make the event another memorable success.
