Ananda/Sokah2Soca
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.
For this week’s Friday Pop Up, Sokah2Soca heads to the Northern Caribbean, where Bouyon is King. We celebrate the start of the weekend with a remix that demands attention. In this version, Trilla-G is definitely not getting any 'Yum, Yum, Yum,' and like Farmer Nappy, he ends up outside the house with his clothes in a garbage bag. Looks like this is the life of a Soca/Bouyon artist!
The remix version of “Take Me As I Am,” created by V’ghn and Trilla-G, focuses on self-acceptance and is infused with the high-energy pulse of Dominican Bouyon. The hook is not just simple; it becomes an anthem—“take me as I am, don’t try to fix me”—but the message is fierce: not all change is good, and love shouldn’t require compromise.
As mentioned above, at its core, “Take Me As I Am” is a declaration of radical self-acceptance. The artists leave no doubts about their feelings as they joyfully sing,
“Take me as I am; don’t try to fix me.”
This isn’t just a catchy hook; many guys praise the lines and sigh, saying it’s about time someone expressed this in a song—it represents a refusal to compromise one’s identity, even for love. The lyrics will become the 'man-anthem' for carnival 2026 as they push back against the pressure to change for others, reminding listeners that authenticity is non-negotiable.
V'ghn, far from being an autotuned singer, possesses a unique vocal style. His soulful delivery meets Trilla-G’s unapologetic bounce, creating a cross-island fusion that’s both catchy and culturally charged. This song is a reminder that Caribbean music isn’t just about rhythm—it’s about resistance, identity, and pride. This remix doesn’t ask for approval. It dares you to accept it, regardless of their faults.
Now that you came this far, we cordially invite your public commentary—don't hold back, OK? Who do we change for, and why?
The YouTube player included for this post features the remix version and the original version done solo by Trilla-G. Enjoy!
Let us spread awareness of the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
We do this to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and stories of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy reaches a wider audience and fosters creativity and connections. While it is important to always purchase music, you should avoid sharing promotional music because doing so denies essential revenue to songwriters, producers, and artists. 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: Take Me As I Am (Remix Version)
Performed by: Trilla-G and V’ghn
Written by: Gael Jno Baptiste and Je’vaughn John
Produced by: Andel "Fr3EzE" Horsford
Additional production by: Dernel "Dernz" Green
Recorded and engineered by: Dernel "Dernz" Green
Video shot by: Tridel Edwin (365mmp)
Edited by: Madam Editeur
Origin: Grenada/Dominica
Genre: Bouyon ?
?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 Thrive!
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 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.
Dive deeper into Caribbean music and culture at Sokah2Soca—your go-to source for Soca, Calypso, and Carnival coverage. First published on Sokah2Soca, now streaming live via Island Vybe Radio.
It's Friday, and with the release of new music for Carnival 2026, we've decided to release Dansa once more... just for fun. Say it again, Just Because it's Friday. Just Because the weekend is calling. Just Because... you deserve to vibe out.
So go ahead, hit play on the Roadmix of "Dansa" by Klassic Frescobar, remixed by Dninja, and let the rhythm take over. This is for you, whether you're dancing at home, driving around town, or just enjoying the good vibes.
No plans needed. No reason required. All you need is some good music. Simply enjoy the positive energy. Just because.
Let us spread awareness of the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
We do this to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and stories of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy reaches a wider audience and fosters creativity and connections. While it is important to always purchase music, you should avoid sharing promotional music because doing so denies essential revenue to songwriters, producers, and artists. 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: Dansa
Style: RoadMix
Mixed by: Dninja
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca ?
?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 Thrive!
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 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.
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.
I have long wondered about song structure and the "magic formula" that leads to properly structured songs. This post answers that inquiry: This blog entry is our follow-up from our previous post on Corrie Sheppard’s interview with Kasey Phillips of Precision Productions. I was especially intrigued when Kasey called out today’s producers for overlooking the foundational structure of songwriting—verse, chorus, hook, and bridge—the very elements that give a production its chance at longevity. His insights remind us that memorable music isn’t just about vibes; it’s about architecture.
That “magic structure” Kasey referenced is foundational to songwriting across genres—including Soca—and understanding each part helps decode why some tracks stick while others fade.
Inspired by Kasey Phillips’ insights on songwriting structure… We took the essence of his conversation, dug deeper into the craft, and distilled the fundamentals into a breakdown that speaks directly to your musical lens. Whether you're producing, curating, or simply vibing with Soca’s evolution, here’s a clear look at the building blocks that give a song its staying power.
? Verse
- Purpose: tells the story or sets the scene.
- Structure: Typically varies lyrically with each repetition, providing new details or progression.
- In Soca: Verses often build the narrative—whether it’s Carnival anticipation, romantic tension, or social commentary.
? Chorus
- Purpose: This section serves as the emotional and musical climax, featuring the part that everyone remembers.
- Structure: The same lyrics and melody are repeated each time.
- In Soca: This is where the energy peaks—crowd chants, jump-and-wave moments, and the anthem-like feel.
? Hook
- Purpose: The catchiest line or musical phrase that grabs attention.
- Structure: Can be part of the chorus or a standalone phrase.
- In Soca: Consider the chant that DJs repeatedly loop or that fans enthusiastically shout—“Famalay lay lay!” or “Like ah boss!” It’s the branding moment.
? Bridge
- Purpose: Offers contrast—musically or lyrically—to break the repetition and add depth.
- Structure: Usually appears once, often before the final chorus.
- In Soca: Might introduce a tempo shift, a chant, or a moment of reflection before the final hype.
Kasey's assertion about producers disregarding structure resonates profoundly, particularly considering that Soca's reputation is based on enduring, expertly crafted compositions. That, dear reader, is the key and one only has to ask this question of any ardent Soca music follower: Can you name 12 songs from the hundreds released two years ago? Need we say more?
Let us spread awareness of the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
We do this to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and stories of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy reaches a wider audience and fosters creativity and connections. While it is important to always purchase music, you should avoid sharing promotional music because doing so denies essential revenue to songwriters, producers, and artists. 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:
Podcast Episode: The Corie Sheppard Podcast: Episode #256/Kasey Phillips - Song Structure
Podcaster/Guest: Corrie Sheppard/Kasey Phillips
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca ?
?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 Thrive!
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 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.
Dive deeper into Caribbean music and culture at Sokah2Soca—your go-to source for Soca, Calypso, and Carnival coverage. First published on Sokah2Soca, now streaming live via Island Vybe Radio.
"Totally Unexpected" is a beautifully written, executed, and delivered love song that pulses with the heartbeat of Soca. Some songs arrive quietly and last a lifetime, and this one fits the bill. The song lives up to its name—it caught me completely off guard, and I loved every second of it. "Totally Unexpected" by Lujoe and The Gifted is one of those rare gems—a love song that doesn’t chase Carnival hype but instead embraces the emotional depth Soca is capable of delivering.
Written by Gregory Fernandez and produced by Richard “Charsu” Ahong, this track is beautifully crafted, from lyrical intent to vocal delivery. It’s a song that feels like a heartbeat—steady, sincere, and full of feeling. While it may not be built for the road, it’s exactly the kind of production Soca needs to keep listeners coming back beyond the season.
Every year, Carnival brings a flood of new music—hundreds of tracks, most of which fade within months. But Totally Unexpected has something different. It’s a love song with inviting vocals and vivid imagery, the kind that makes you want to drift away in the music.
This song is a time capsule in the life of a young couple and the journey they share in life. The song captures the struggles, the good and bad times, and the moments we cherish for a lifetime. I love the idea behind the song, the feel of the music, and the joy it gives me; I am also pleased to feature a song that was written with love and emotion. These elements will connect the listener and create lasting memories.
Flowers are due. The production team and the creatives behind the video concept deserve their praise. From sound to visuals, everything about this release feels intentional and appealing—even to this Soca blogger watching from behind a screen. Keep bringing us quality like this. Soca music needs more sweetness, like Totally Unexpected.
Let us spread awareness of the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
We do this to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and stories of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy reaches a wider audience and fosters creativity and connections. While it is important to always purchase music, you should avoid sharing promotional music because doing so denies essential revenue to songwriters, producers, and artists. 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: Totally Unexpected
Artist/Performed by: Lujoe and The Gifted
Written by: Gregory Fernandez
Produced by: Richard "Charsu" Ahong
Video Directed by: Charsu
Co-Director - Gennisa Gutierrez
Lighting by: Stephen Rovedas
Cinematography and Editing by: Charsu
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca ?
?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 Thrive!
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 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.
