Ananda/Sokah2Soca

Ananda/Sokah2Soca

Dive deeper into Caribbean music and culture at Sokah2Soca—your go-to source for Soca, Calypso, and Carnival coverage. The post was initially published on Sokah2Soca and is currently available for live streaming on Island Vybe Radio.

 
Kenny Phillips of WACK Visual Radio's studio session last night inspired this post. It's time to explore our diverse cultural heritage and remind the nation of the upcoming festivities. Not only will a steelband arranger bring the music session to life, but serenaders and musicians will also be getting into the groove for the upcoming Christmas music season. But it is the season for parang music; from box bass to cuatro, the rhythm of Christmas is already knocking. Soca may be warming up, but Parang is leading the charge with heritage, humor, and harmony. Let the serenades begin!
 
Say it louder for the people in the back, Ananda! While Soca and steelpan are gearing up to mash up Carnival, the Christmas heartbeat is already pulsing through Trinidad and Tobago with the unmistakable strum of cuatros and the rhythmic thump of box bass. Parang season is not waiting for December—it’s creeping in like a sweet serenade under the moonlight.
 
So let the music play and share the joy of our multicultural society—Trinbago sweet, eh?
  • Cuatros, mandolins, and box basses aren’t just instruments—they’re cultural anchors. When they start tuning up, it’s a signal: the spirit of Parang is awakening.
  • Parang isn’t background music—it’s a full-on celebration of heritage, language, and community. From house-to-house serenades to stage shows, it’s where Spanish meets Trini soul.
  • Trinidad and Tobago’s dual-island magic means we get to enjoy Soca’s fire and Parang’s warmth. That’s not a clash—it’s a cultural crescendo.
So yes, while the Soca warriors are prepping for Carnival, let’s not forget the Parang pioneers who are already stringing up joy. It’s time to remind the diaspora and the digital crowd: Parang is not just music—it’s a mood, a movement, and a memory in the making.
 
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, as doing so denies songwriters, producers, and artists essential revenue. You can find all of our posts online on social media platforms like FacebookYouTubeInstagramSpotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS FeedThreadsBluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
 
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Post Title: ? Parang Is In the Air—Tune Up, Trinbago! 
Mixtape Title: Soca Parang Mix—All the Classics and Current Hits
Curated and mixed by: DJ Tuff Gong
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.

 
As September fades and Fall settles over North America, the Caribbean heat rises—because Carnival season is stirring in Trinidad & Tobago! While Trinidad’s Single Pan Panorama ignites panyards with sweet steelpan energy, Tobago is gearing up for its Carnival celebration, and it’s not to be overlooked. Scheduled to take place from October 24-25, 2025, this carnival celebration is the appetizer for what comes next—Trinidad and Tobago's annual World renowned Carnival Celebrations.  
 
This post focuses on the upcoming Tobago Carnival, which promises a high-spirited atmosphere, fierce steelpan competition, and the coveted Road March title. Among the contenders is a track that’s already turning heads: “Paradise” by Verrse, produced by Badjohn Republic and Chryston Floyd. With its lush instrumentation and infectious groove, “Paradise” is staking its claim in the Road March race. Tobago also has some talented steelband players and champion steelbands that are a force to rekon with, especially the  pride of Black Roca, Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra.
 
So what other songs are in contention for Tobago’s Road March crown? That’s the question on every Soca lover’s mind—and we’re here to spark the conversation.
 
We invite Soca producers, artists, DJs, and fans to drop their picks, predictions, and passion in the comments. Whether you're backing Verrse or another rising star, let’s build the buzz and celebrate the creativity fueling Tobago’s Carnival.
 
Tag your favorite artists. Share your favorite tracks. Let the Road March debate begin!
 
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, as doing so denies songwriters, producers, and artists essential revenue. You can find all of our posts online on social media platforms like FacebookYouTubeInstagramSpotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS FeedThreadsBluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
 
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Paradise
Artist/Performed by: Verrse
Written by: Triston Andrews , Jahiem 'Verrse' Thomas
Guitar by: Chryston Floyd
Produced by: Badjohn Republic & Chryston Floyd 
Background Vocals by: Karyce Marcano
Mixed & Mastered by: Badjohn Republic
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.

 
Yung Bredda’s Greatest Bend Over on the Big Links Riddim (Full Blown Entertainment) is already a Carnival 2025 anthem. But I recently heard @GioCreates drop a verse under the title “If I Had a Verse on Greatest Bend Over”—and it’s ?. I thought about the lyrics, this new verse,  for some time but lost track of my note until today. 
 
The vibe—he draws the listener in with a seductive cry in song, which flows as if it was originally written into the song.  It’s a cover-worthy addition that would find a home on Sokah2Soca. I’m putting this out there: Can someone make this happen? This much-needed production will be the seductive version that is missing!
 
Let’s hear @GioCreates do a full rendition with his added verse. Soca is about evolution, collaboration, and vibes—and this one deserves to live beyond a clip. 
 
In this case, I am a fan of @GioCreates, and I believe that ideas from fans can be rewarding; therefore, I can't wait to hear a full cover instead of just a one-verse teaser. #PleaseMakeThisHappen is my plea!
 
 
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, as doing so denies songwriters, producers, and artists essential revenue. You can find all of our posts online on social media platforms like FacebookYouTubeInstagramSpotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS FeedThreadsBluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
 
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Greatest Bend Over
New Verse Addition—Artist/Performed by: @GioCreates
Original Song Written by: Yung Bredda, Jesse John, Kory Hart, and Kevon Hart
Produced by: Full Blown Entertainment
Engineered (Mixed & Mastered) by:
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.

 
Soca fans are loyal. Soca fans are loud. Soca fans are biased. And when a new riddim drops—especially one centered on the drumkit-laced Soca beat like Stink Waist—every crew swears their artist slayed the riddim. Since its release yesterday, "Stink Waist Riddim" has been on the lips of many, and the comments on YouTube are swelling for each song. 
 
But let’s talk truth. Is it genuine love or just the usual hype cycle? How long will this 'riddim' reign before the next release steals its shine? Is this a moment or a movement? As with all new music releases, the hype is always at the beginning of the release cycle and only the crème de la crème will continue to rule radio play. We’ll be watching to see which track survives the hype cycle. Everyone will be attentively watching to see which song continues to spark excitement among the diaspora. 
 
We’re not here to take a neutral stance—at least, not for this post. So, mouth open and story jumps out... we go on record here: Nailah Blackman’s “Pon It” has the juice. Like froth on your latte, it’s rising—visually, sonically, and socially. Her team knows how to push a product, and her carnival-centric visuals are already flooding timelines. Ask any female reveler and they’ll tell you, “That’s my anthem. That’s my waistline declaration.”
 
But we’re not the only voice. We want yours.
 
? Who slaughtered the riddim? 
? Which song is your favorite? 
? Which song features the hook that will define the riddim/rhythm? 
 
Is this Travis World's most impressive work to date, or is it just a passing fad? We say this because it is merely a simple riddim, nothing special—just a drumkit riddim!  
 
We get it. There’s a dreaded disease afflicting Soca producers today: no guitar riffs, no brass. The sweetness? Gone. The soul?  Missing in action.
 
Sure, digital audio workstations make beat creation fast, efficient, and cost-effective. However, what is the end result? The outcome is loop-driven, percussive rhythms that resemble templates rather than actual songs.
 
Where are the guitar licks that groove with your spirit?  Where’s the brass—trumpet, trombone, sax—that lifts the track into carnival ecstasy?
 
We’re not asking for a throwback. We’re asking for depth. Add the layers. Add the sweetness. Make it memorable.
 
Drop your pick. Defend your artist and/or Travis World's production. Are we too damn picky or did we expose the simplicity of the riddim? Let the Soca showdown begin.
 
Listen to the following song to get an understanding of what we want from Soca music producers: Rock So by Patrice Roberts x MadLypso: Friday Pop Up Vibes.
 
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, as doing so denies songwriters, producers, and artists essential revenue. You can find all of our posts online on social media platforms like FacebookYouTubeInstagramSpotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS FeedThreadsBluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
 
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Album Title: Stink Waist Riddim 
Artist/Performed by:
Skinny Fabulous x Suh RawCan You Bend
LyrikalStink Waist
Bunji GarlinYeezy Bro
Nailah BlackmanPon It 
Hide and SeekSekon Sta
Looking Good—Problem Child
Produced by: Travis World 
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.
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