Dancehall superstar Beenie Man has sparked debate across the Caribbean after claiming that Jamaica introduced Carnival before Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking during a radio interview, the Grammy-winning artiste credited legendary Jamaican musician Byron Lee with pioneering the celebration, insisting that his account was historically accurate.

However, historical records show that Trinidad's Carnival tradition dates back to the late 1700s, while Byron Lee helped establish modern Jamaica Carnival in 1989, with its first major road celebration in 1990.

Although Jamaica's traditional Jonkonnu festivities predate Trinidad's documented Carnival celebrations, historians recognise the two as distinct cultural traditions.

Beenie Man's comments have renewed discussions about the origins of Carnival and Byron Lee's contribution to Jamaica's entertainment industry.