Ananda/Sokah2Soca
Saturday, 23 May 2026 23:52
Bring Back the Real Toolum — Sticky, Black, and Full of Soul
Dive deeper into Caribbean music and culture at Sokah2Soca—your go-to source for Soca, Calypso, and Carnival coverage. It was first published on Sokah2Soca and is now streaming live via Island Vybe Radio.
Taking a break from the music to vent a little about part of our food culture... It's time to return to my Trinidadian roots and one of my favorite treats: Toolum!
If you grew up in Trinidad, you know toolum wasn’t just a sweet—it was a whole mood. A whole era. A whole sticky‑finger childhood memory wrapped in brown paper. But somewhere along the way, something went terribly wrong. Because the toolum we getting today… boy… It's gone to the dogs.
Let’s talk about it. But wait, I need to blame someone or some entity, and that falls on the shoulders of the national government. Yes, I am blaming them for my toolum woes! They shut down the sugar industry, and with that, our local supply of molasses evaporated! Apparently, the imported bottled stuff is not the same... sigh! Ok, I vented; now let's move on.
Oh, but first... factory-packaged toolum is not good! It is not the real deal... get it from small vendors!
The toolum I grew up loving—the real toolum—was black, sticky, glossy, and packed with that deep molasses flavor that used to glue your teeth together in the best possible way. Miss Maude’s style. The kind you had to pry off the wax paper. The kind that stained your fingertips. The kind that tasted as if someone's grandmother were still stirring a pot over a coal stove.
But what is passing for "toolum" in Trinidad today?
A brown, crumbly, coconut‑ish impostor that is calling itself "toolum" in name only. A sweet sugar block with no soul. No molasses. No stick. No heritage. No respect.
Some of them are so dry, they could pass for gravel. Some are so hard, you need a chisel. And the worst part? The black, sticky style—the one we grew up on—seems to have vanished. Disappeared. Extinct. I can’t find it anywhere.
So hear nah:
If anybody out there knows where to get real toolum—the black, sticky, molasses-rich kind—leave a note, send a signal, or call on the ancestors. Because this new thing they're selling? That is not toolum. That is a betrayal.
So I appeal to the Toolum Gods, the old-school makers, the ones who still know the craft:
Bring back the real thing.
Bring back the toolum we used to fight over in primary school.
Bring back the sticky sweetness that defined a generation.
Stop making fake toolum in name only.
Make it happen.
Toolum recipe: Simply Trini Cooking/Toolum
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
?Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but also on a daily basis. Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music, and Soca are thriving!. You can find all of our posts online on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
De Talk is about "Toolum Gone to the Dogs."
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: ?
We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
♫Please click the small triangle button in the music player below to listen now.
Published in
Blog
Tagged under
Saturday, 23 May 2026 11:10
LIVE from Orlando Carnival Downtown J’Ouvert 2026
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.
As David Rudder would say 'iz dust in the air," and that's just the way we love it! This is J'Ouvert morning with all the magic that carnival and Caribbean people bring to the road. We are in Orlando via the "I am living my life" video feed. The paint, the powder, the rhythm—it's all happening right now in the streets of Orlando! Join the I Am Living My Life community as we capture the color, music, and pure Carnival energy from Orlando Carnival Downtown.
From midmorning excitement to the nonstop bacchanal, we’re bringing you every splash, every beat, and every vibe—straight from the road.
This year’s celebration is a full immersion into the culture: paint flying through the air, powder coating every inch of the road, and riddim sections pushing the pace as masqueraders dance their way through the city. It’s messy, joyful, chaotic, and absolutely unforgettable—everything J’Ouvert is meant to be.
What makes Orlando’s J’Ouvert special is the blend of Caribbean roots and local flavor. You feel the influence of Trinidad, Grenada, St. Lucia, Jamaica, and beyond—all meeting in one place to celebrate freedom, expression, and community. From the early‑morning anticipation to the full‑blown bacchanal, the vibes never dip.
Orlando, Florida
Stream starts at 10:15 AM.
Let’s live it up, Carnival style!
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but also on a daily basis. Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music, and Soca are thriving!. You can find all of our posts online on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Orlando Carnival Downtown J'ouvert
Streamed live on I Am Living My Life YouTube.
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Soca/Mas/Paint and Powder?
We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
♫Please click the small triangle button in the music player below to listen now.
Published in
Blog
Tagged under
Saturday, 09 May 2026 12:14
Rockin’ Into the Weekend with Jimmy October x Brooklyn Decent
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.
After a brief hiatus from posting, we are back and ready to kick off the weekend with a smooth, party-centric groove. Today, we turn our attention to Jimmy October and Brooklyn Decent for a special song titled "Rockin."
We assure you that this collaboration produced a track that will be enjoyable for years to come, through countless parties. The team arrived with the ideal atmosphere—one that will keep you dancing all weekend long. The term “Rockin’” embodies the smooth-groove soca style that transitions you from the workweek directly into the Friday feeling.
With Jimmy’s silky vocals blending seamlessly with Brooklyn Decent’s warm, rhythmic production, this song sets the tone for a weekend filled with positive energy, good company, and an infectious rhythm that will make you want to move.
As we return to posting, we’re excited to launch with a song that lives up to its title—getting you rocking. Whether you’re liming, driving, or simply letting the stress melt away, this track is the perfect soundtrack for your Friday lift-off. Weekend mode: activated.
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
?Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but also on a daily basis. Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and where Calypso, Steelband Music, and Soca are thriving! You can find all of our posts online on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Rockin'
Artist-Performed by:
Written by—L'shun “Jimmy October” Emmanuel, Nicolai Ramjass & Jelani "Pops" Shaw
Produced by—Brooklyn Decent & Jelani “Pops” Shaw
Live Guitars by - Kyle Peters
Live Bass By: Joshua “Supayouth” Salcedo
Mixed By - Brooklyn Decent
Mastered By - Kasey Phillips of Precision Productions
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Soca ?
We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
♫Please click the small triangle button in the music player below to listen now.
Published in
Blog
Tagged under
Saturday, 25 April 2026 10:24
The Soca Encore 2026 – D Ninja Mashup
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.
What if you can piece together some of your favorite Soca songs into one seamless production? Well, this one does just that… Sokah2Soca proudly presents a musical gem crafted by the one and only DJ D Ninja—a seamless fusion of snippets from Soca music videos with flawless flow.
We think this is one of the best transition mixes, and some DJs can do it. This isn’t just a mix… it’s a masterclass in transitions, energy, and vibe.
From start to finish, every beat lands with precision, every switch feels natural, and the rhythm never lets go. DJ D Ninja’s talent shines through in every second—and we’re here for it!
Big respect to the Ninja for this sonic journey. Sokah2Soca loves it, lives it, and now shares it with all soca fans worldwide. Turn it up, feel the vibes, and let the encore play on!
Let us continue to uplift and celebrate the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Our mission is to promote Caribbean music, musicians, and music producers—honoring the rich sounds, stories, and creativity that shape our region. Your support helps us share this cultural legacy with a wider audience, inspiring connection, pride, and artistic growth. As always, we encourage everyone to purchase music legally. Please avoid sharing promotional tracks, as unauthorized distribution takes essential revenue away from the songwriters, producers, and artists who bring this music to life.
You can follow all our posts across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance. ?
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: The Soca Encore (D Ninja Mashup)
Curated & Mixed by D. Ninja Productions
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Soca ?
? Listen. Share. Amplify. ?
Our artists carry the culture not only during Carnival but also every single day. Sokah2Soca—Where rhythm lives and Calypso, steelband music, and soca continue to thrive.
This music is presented for your listening pleasure and promotional use only, in accordance with the “Fair Use” Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
♫ Click the small triangle in the player below to start listening. ??
Published in
Blog
Tagged under