Joel “King Hardknaxs” Lewis, the 2011 Antigua Carnival Party Monarch and Road March champion with the hit Kentucky, has publicly criticised what he describes as systemic inequities in Antigua and Barbuda’s festival administration.

The artist, renowned for his dynamic performances with group The Madtiguans, claims longstanding marginalisation by carnival authorities.

Allegations of Exclusion Hardknaxs revealed that despite his 2011 victory, he received no bookings for subsequent Festivals Commission events in 2012 – nor was he allocated a carnival parade float.

He particularly contests the judging of the 2012 competition, where his track Ibaba failed to place.

“The song rocked the Antigua Recreation Grounds and was considered one of the best performances in Party Monarch history,” he stated. “Everyone said I had won.”

When King Hardknaxs won the Party Monarch competition in 2011, the judging panel comprised both local and regional judges—a structure he believed contributed to a fairer and more balanced assessment of the performances.

Claims of Institutional Favouritism

The artist alleges the Festivals Commission prioritises established acts over emerging talent, citing 2013 when his group’s hits like Smile A Lot and Party Hard forced their inclusion due to public demand.

“Authorities show preference to artists who can guarantee crowds, stifling newcomers’ development,” Hardknaxs argued, appealing directly to Prime Minister Gaston Browne for intervention.

He is calling for the Festivals Commission to establish additional officially sanctioned events throughout the year exclusively showcasing Antiguan talent.

The 2011 Party Monarch champion argues states that such initiatives would provide crucial developmental opportunities beyond the traditional Party Monarch and Calypso Monarch competitions.

The soca artist contends that “the unchanged composition of the Festivals Commission remains the root cause” of systemic issues affecting local performers.

“When you see the same decision-makers from 2011 to 2025 resisting evolution, it confirms why equitable opportunities remain elusive,” Lewis stated.

Financial Disparities Highlighted He further contrasted payment practices, noting: “Local artists struggle to receive fees, while foreign performers are paid promptly and in full.”

Cultural Impact The performer denied self-pity, framing his outcry as advocacy: “‘Each endeavouring, all achieving’ – but here, only a connected few succeed.

Everyone knows no Antiguan artist matches my energy.”

“The solution isn’t blacklisting – it’s building bridges,” Lewis asserted during an exclusive interview. “When we work cooperatively, every artist gets the platform to maximise their potential.

That’s how we strengthen our cultural industries for the long term.”

Hardknaxs concluded by promoting his 2025 releases Power Man, Carnival Season and Like a River featuring Kenne Blessin.

King Hardknaxs’ booking information is as follows:Telephone: 1-268-780-0241Email: Knaxsmusic268@gmail.com