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.
Today we journey from Antigua to Trinidad and Tobago for an intriguing story. But before we do so, we must mention the start of the new Panoarma season in 2026. On November 24, 2025, the Single Pan Steelband competition kicks off—where legacy meets lime, and every stick stroke tells a story. From panyards tucked deep in Laventille to backyards in Siparia, this is where the soul of steelpan lives: raw, rooted, and ready. No racks, no fancy setups—just one pan per player and a whole lot of fire.
This year, as the rhythm rises, Sokah2Soca turns the spotlight on a man who’s shaping the sound of two nations. The featured YouTube video is a must-watch for steelpan music enthusiasts.
So your question may be as follows: What does it take to shape the sound of two nations? It is a tale rooted in Antigua but with the true story of musicianship revealed in Trinidad. Khan Cordice on Drilling Exodus delves into his dual musical lives as an arranger for Antigua's iconic Hells Gate Steel Orchestra and a drill master for Trinidad & Tobago's Republic Bank Exodus. It’s not just a job—it’s a cultural calling.
? Highlights from the interview:
- His journey from the shores of Antigua to the Panorama stage in Trinidad
- The discipline and precision behind his drilling techniques
- How he balances tradition, innovation, and identity across two pan cultures
- The emotional and logistical intensity of Panorama prep
Khan’s story is a masterclass in musical leadership, bridging Caribbean rhythms with purpose and pride. And if you want to feel the energy he helps create, check out If it’s one thing, we can always count on Republic Bank—a flashback to Carnival vibes with Exodus in full swing.
Sokah2Soca celebrates Khan’s cross-island impact—proof that pan is more than music. It’s movement, memory, and mastery.
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
YouTube—From Antigua to Trinidad: Khan Cordice on Drilling Exodus & Arranging Hells Gate
Origin: Antigua
Steelband: Hellsgate (Antigua) and Exodus (Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago) ????
Genre: Steelband Music ?
? 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.
Crowned and Unapologetic: Mr. Desmond says, “Rebel Medley” Is the People’s Pick
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Blog
September 26, 2025
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.
From the golden vaults of Soca Royal (2008), Byron Lee and the Dragonaires gifted us the unforgettable Rebel Medley—a track that still stirs hearts and hips alike. I have always wanted to post this song, and after hearing it played on the radio during this slow week following the Brooklyn Labor Day Carnival celebrations, it now feels like a good time to share it.
Played with love on WACK Visual Radio 90.1FM, this medley is a favorite of Mr. Desmond, and for good reason. This medley transcends beyond mere music, serving as a timeless classic. This medley harks back to a time when Soca music was smooth, lyrical, and unabashedly joyful.
This medley delivers sweet melodies with memorable lyrics and vocals that captivate the listener. It was a different time with a different style of Soca—rebellious in rhythm, rich in feeling.
This one’s for the good times, the nostalgic old days, and the back-in-the-day sweetness that shaped our Caribbean soundscape. Whether you’re waving a rag, sipping something strong, or just vibing in your living room—Rebel Medley reminds us why we fell in love with Soca in the first place.
Turn it up. Feel the nostalgia. Celebrate the legacy. As Deso would say, Soca has no season... the rhythm is our own creation; love it, play it, feel it!
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring 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: Rebel Medley
Artist/Performed by: Byron Lee and the Dragonaires
Album: Soca Royal
Origin: Jamaica
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, please 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.
West Indians don’t joke with their belly—and when Farmer Nappy drops a track called “Cooking,” expectations rise like steam from a Sunday pot, or maybe, just maybe, Farmer is truly about releasing pent-up emotions... cooking up some love! Either way, something’s simmering.
Penned by Jason “Jahcardo” Simpson and seasoned by The Riddim Sektion, the track delivers a smooth Soca groove that’s easy on the ears—like a well-balanced stew. But for some, it might still need a dash more pepper. Because in Soca, flavor isn’t optional... it’s essential.
Farmer’s vocals are as familiar and comforting as a well-worn apron, and the riddim simmers gently. Yet, while the theme centers around love and food—two staples of Caribbean life—the track doesn’t quite plate up the emotional flavor or lyrical hook that lingers. It’s pleasant, yes. But does it stick? Does it make you whine, laugh, or reminisce about that special someone? Not quite.
We know not every song is meant to be a road anthem or a Carnival banger. And we also know there’s no such thing as “bad” music—just different tastes, different vibes, and different moments. Still, in a genre that thrives on bold flavors and unforgettable choruses, “Cooking” might feel more like an album filler than a main course.
That said, Farmer’s legacy is seasoned with hits, and we’ll always root for his success. Maybe this one’s a slow burner, bringing a delayed heat that we just don't yet understand. Maybe it’ll find its place off the road and in the kitchen. In either case, we continue to observe, listen, and eagerly anticipate the arrival of the next 'musical dish.'
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring 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: Cooking
Artist/Performed by: Farmer Nappy
Written by: Jason ‘Jahcardo’ Simpson
Produced by : The Riddim Sektion
Mixed and Mastered by: Anthony Lowhar
Bass & Keyboards: Damien Neblett
Drums: Mikey Hulsmeier
Guitar: Barry 'Barman' Hill
Backing Vocals: Indra Rudder
Saxophone: Jussi Paavola
Origin: Barbados/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.
Last night’s Panorama showdown was pure steel magic. Brooklyn came alive with rhythm, rivalry, and real-time commentary from an alumnus of the WACK Radio 90.1FM chat box—where Kenny Phillips crowned us all “bush judges,” and we wore the title proudly. I was there and will represent the 'Bush Judges Association of WACK!'
To provide some context, it is important to highlight one of the main attributes of a good bush judge: Cry Foul Play—They thief, and we know better! We are not going to do that for this post (but bush judges are always right, aren't they?), but the loser, usually, will fall prey to partisanship.
Do opinions really count? Maybe! While Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra (PESO) emerged victorious, a growing chorus of voices argued that Philadelphia Pan Stars Steel Orchestra deserved the victory. As one of those bush judges, I have my own opinions.
We are here not to toast the results but to roast them... just a little bit. Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra (PESO) took the top spot with André White’s arrangement of “Too Own Way”—and let me tell you, it was a vibrant, uptempo ride. The flourishes were bold, the rhythm relentless, and the energy? Electric. It was the kind of performance that grabs the crowd and doesn’t let go. No surprise; the judges leaned in their favor.
As an official bush judge, I listened to the Philadelphia Pan Stars Steel Orchestra with interest and pleasant surprise. Their rendition of “Bet Meh” by Machel Montano was smooth, classic, and melodically rich. From the first note, I knew exactly what they were playing. It was a masterclass in restraint and musical storytelling. There were no gimmicks, just pure pan. It was the kind of performance that made you close your eyes and sway, not just jump and shout.
So here’s my verdict: PESO thrilled the audience and earned their win, but Philly Pan Stars delivered a timeless arrangement that deserved serious consideration. If melody, clarity, and classic Panorama vibes were the metric, Philly would’ve taken it in my book. Yes, I preferred Philly Pan Stars and would choose them as the winner! As I wrote that, I ducked immediately—no buss head for me!
Panorama isn’t just about scores. It’s about stories. And last night, both bands told theirs with pride, precision, and plenty of pan. But that’s the beauty of Panorama—every band brings its flavor, and every bush judge has their scorecard. Respect to both orchestras for raising the bar and keeping the culture alive.
Let the debates begin. Who had your vote last night?
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: WIADCA NYC Panorama 2025
Origin: Brooklyn Museum, NYC
Genre: Steelband Music ?
? 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.
