This post first appeared on Sokah2Soca, where Caribbean music meets wit, rhythm, and real talk. Island Vybe Radio spins the tunes—we decode the culture.
In the late 1980s, Trinidad and Tobago’s musical landscape was bubbling with innovation. Soca was evolving, and the Indo-Caribbean rhythms of chutney music were beginning to dance their way into mainstream Carnival culture. But the fusion didn’t yet have a name—until one studio session changed everything.
Enter Kenny Phillips of KMP Music, a producer with a keen ear for crossover potential. He tells the story of working in the bank and being approached by Drupatee's husband, who wanted Kenny to produce music for his wife, Drupatee. In collaboration with the innovative Drupatee Ramgoonai, he crafted Indian songs infused with a calypso beat. With prodding from Drupatee's husband, Jay, they decided to put English vocals to one of the songs. Enter Carl Jacobs...
Kenny called "Carly" to help him with the lyrics for the proposed new song. That’s when Carl Jacobs (Carly), another visionary in the room, writing lyrics for a song, put into words the term we now call “Chutney Soca.” According to Kenny’s own recollection, it wasn’t Drupatee who coined the phrase—it was Carl. As told in the video clip, Carl Jacobs penned the following for the song "Chatnee Soca" (1986): "Is Chatnee Soca; is that that have me whining down so!" The moment was spontaneous, almost offhand, but it stuck. Kenny knew instantly: this was it, history in the making! Enter Wayne McDonald, also known as Kassman ...
As told by Kenny, it was Kassman who claimed to 'have a song,' Mr. Bissessar, and the song emerged to capture the nation. Mr. Bissessar was written by Wayne McDonald, aka "Kassman," while the music was arranged and produced by Kenny Phillips. “Mr. Bissessar” was a bold experiment blending soca’s infectious energy with chutney’s melodic traditions. The sound was electric, but what would they call it? A subgenre of Soca emerged... Chutney Soca, and that name was given to Drupatee's new album!
While Chutney Soca can be devotional, humorous, or downright bacchanalish. It’s a versatile and vibrant music style. The term “Chutney Soca” would go on to define a movement—one that celebrated a new cultural hybrid sound, what can only be called musical innovation, and the unapologetic joy of Caribbean identity. Drupatee’s role as a pioneer remains undisputed, but the naming credit, as Kenny tells it, belongs to Carl Jacobs.
You can hear Kenny Phillips recount the moment himself (posted below) or in this Facebook reel here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18aZfbh7yC/
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Interview: Corrie Sheppard Podcast featuring Kenny Phillips
A special thank you goes out to Corrie Sheppard for doing the interview... part of which is featured for this post.
Song Title: Mr. Bissessar
Album: Chutney Soca
Artist/Performed by: Drupatee Ramgoonai
Written by: Wayne McDonald (Kassman)
Arranged and Produced by: Kenny Phillips
Background vocals: Karl and Carol Jacobs
Bass Guitar: Neil Leeluck
All other instruments: Kenny Phillips
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Subgenre: Chutney Soca ?
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Top: Corie Sheppard Interview: The Story behind Mr. Bissessar. Bottom: Mr. Bissessar
