The Notting Hill Carnival has been taking place in London, on the last weekend in August, for the past thirty five years; Carnival 2001 will be the 37th. This great festival began initially from the energies of Black immigrants from the Caribbean, particularly from Trinidad, where the Carnival tradition is very strong, and from people living locally who dreamed of creating a festival to bring together the people of Notting Hill, most of whom as immigrants, were facing racism, lack of working opportunities, poor housing conditions resulting in a general suppression of good self-esteem.
The Notting Hill Carnival has evolved into an event that predominantly reflects the best of Black Music. Sterling Betancourt, Russ Henderson and others were part of that first steelband and are still very much a part of Carnival playing in steelbands like Nostalgia and Pan Necktar.