Ananda/Sokah2Soca
Sunday, 15 February 2026 15:51
Carnival’s Crown Jewel: Dimanche Gras 2026: Kings, Queens & Calypso Fire
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 an exciting day in Trinidad and Tobago! The stage is set. The kings and queens are ready. The Monarch will rise. Radio stations across the nation are blasting Soca music, and the vibe is electric.
Today the nation is getting ready, and tonight is the night that Trinidad’s Carnival reaches its crescendo with Dimanche Gras 2026—a dazzling showcase of masquerade royalty and the Calypso Monarch Finals. Fans of the Kings and Queens will be thrilled with the creations, but Calypso enthusiasts can't wait to see if one of the female contestants will become the Calypso Monarch.
Join us tonight as we take in all the action live from the Carnival Mecca. Catch every moment live and free via TTT and WACK Visual Radio 90.1FM. From majestic costumes to lyrical fire, this is Carnival’s soul on full display.
Sokah2Soca is locked in. Are you?
Calypso Monarch Finalists Order of Appearance
- Ta'Zyah O'Connor - Cast Them Away
- Yung Bredda - The Messenger
- Nicole Thomas-Clarke - Sacrifice
- Giselle Fraser/GG - A Village Can't
- Kerice Pascall - No Conscience
- Rivaldo London - Water Thicker
- Rikki Jai - Doh Spoil Meh Name
- Terri Lyons - Blessings
- Karene Asche - Nobody Wins Until
- Muhammad Muwakil/Freetown Collective
- Helon Francis - (Song not announced) - Reigning Monarch
- Roslyn Reid Hayes/Roslyn - Calypso Calling Me
Brian London is the Reserve (in case one of the qualifiers cannot compete)
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:
Event: Dimanch Gras 2026
What: Kings and Queens of the Bands + Calypso Monarch Finals
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Masquerade + Calypso
Listen. Share. Amplify.
Our artists carry the culture not only during Carnival but 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 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.
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Sunday, 15 February 2026 14:08
A Night of One‑Point Margins and One Champion—Exodus!
This post first appeared on Kaiso Dial, where Caribbean music meets wit, rhythm, and real talk. Island Vybe Radio spins the tunes—we decode the culture.
Sorry, All Stars, Renegades, and Silver Stars—we look to the East once again for the champion large steelband.Wow—what a finish. Tonight's point differences were astounding, and for the first time in years, the score sheets showed no ties. Band after band was separated by just one point, keeping the entire Savannah on edge until the very last moment.
Ultimately, Republic Bank Exodus maintained their composure and emerged as champions, demonstrating once more the profound influence of discipline, creativity, and Eastern pride within the panyard.
Tonight, we witnessed the full power of steelband music—precision, passion, and pure Trinbago brilliance. From the first roll to the final cadenza, each orchestra brought its own heartbeat to the stage, shaping a night that will live long in the memory of every pan lover.
The first two bands were electric, with Massy Trinidad All Stars receiving a standing ovation and extended applause. Renegades brought the big sound to the stage, and Exodus did not disappoint. Then again, Nutrien Silver Stars wowed with their rendition of "Respectfully Yours," sung by Full Blown.
Online chat bush judges were busy picking winners and providing reasons for favorites not making it to the top three places. Having said that, it was an amazing night, and, in the end, steelband music lovers enjoyed it all.
The lineup/order of appearance was nothing short of historic:
- First Citizens Supernovas with Rum & Coca-Cola—Kes—arranged by Amrit Samaroo
- Massy Trinidad All Stars with The Will—Scrunter—arranged by Dr. Leon “Smooth” Edwards
- BP Renegades with The Lizard—Mighty Sparrow—arranged by Duvonne Stewart
- Proman Starlift with Last Train—Mical Teja—arranged by Dante Pantin
- Nutrien Silver Stars with Respectfully—Yours Full Blown—arranged by Ojay Richards
- Phase II Pan Groove with Trouble—Freetown Collective—arranged by Dr. Len “Boogsie” Sharpe
- T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps with Last Train—Mical Teja—arranged by Clarence Morris
- Desperadoes with We Calypso—Karene Asche x Mical Teja—arranged by Carlton “Zanda” Alexander
- Republic Bank Exodus with Cyah Behave—Voice—arranged by Terrance “BJ” Marcelle
- Katzenjammers with Too Young to Soca—Machel Montano—arranged by Kersh Ramsey
- Skiffle with Cyah Behave—Voice—arranged by Andre White
In the end, after a night of musical brilliance and heart‑pounding performances, Republic Bank Exodus managed to hold their nerve and edge out BP Renegades by the slimmest of margins, with Nutrien Silver Stars—a true crowd favorite—claiming a powerful and well‑earned third place just one point behind Renegades. Call it the panorama of one point of separation!
A repeat victory for Exodus, a fierce challenge from Renegades, and a triumphant return to the podium for Silver Stars. This was Panorama at its absolute best.
The results were as follows:
- Republic Bank Exodus with Cyah Behave—Voice—Terrance “BJ” Marcelle—289
- BP Renegades with The Lizard—Mighty Sparrow—Duvonne Stewart—288
- Nutrien Silver Stars with Respectfully—Yours Full Blown—Ojay Richards—287
- Desperadoes with We Calypso—Karene Asche x Mical Teja—Zanda—284
- Massy Trinidad All Stars with The Will—Scrunter—"Smooth" Edwards—283
- Skiffle with Cyah Behave—Voice—Andre White—282
- Katzenjammers with Too Young to Soca—Machel Montano—Kersh Ramsey—281
- Phase II Pan Groove with Trouble—Freetown Collective—Boogsie—280
- T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps with Last Train—Mical Teja—Clarence Morris—278
- Proman Starlift with Last Train—Mical Teja—Dante Pantin—277
- First Citizens Supernovas with Rum & Coca-Cola—Kes—Amrit Samaroo—274
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
? Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. ?✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. ? Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
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 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. ??
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Saturday, 14 February 2026 12:38
The Future of Mas Lights Up the Savannah: Junior Parade of the Bands 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.
On February 14th at 8:00 AM, the Junior Parade of the Bands transforms Carnival City, Queen’s Park Savannah, into a burst of color and youthful brilliance. Our young masqueraders step forward with vibrant costumes, big energy, and the kind of joy that reminds us why Carnival is forever.
This is the next generation of Ms—bright, bold, and ready to shine.
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:
Event: Junior Parade of the Bands
Streaming Service: WACK Visual Radio 90.1FM
Where: Grand Stand, Queens Park Savannah, Port of Spain
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Soca/Masquerade Bands ?
? Listen. Share. Amplify. ?
Our artists carry the culture not only during Carnival but 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 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. ??
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Saturday, 14 February 2026 12:27
Panorama Finals: Where Legends Defend and New Champions Emerge
Dive deeper into Caribbean music and culture at Sokah2Soca—your go-to source for Soca, Calypso, and Carnival coverage. Originally published on Sokah2Soca, it is currently available for live streaming on Island Vybe Radio.
Carnival would never feel complete without Panorama. While the Single Pan, Small, and Medium Conventional bands all contribute to the excitement of the season, it's the Large Conventional Steelband Finals that truly capture the nation's attention.
This is the night we live for. When the sun sets and fiery musical arrangements ignite the pans, the Savannah transforms into a battlefield of brilliance. A champion will rise. Will reigning champions Will Exodus defend their crown? Will Duvonne Stewart lead the Renegades back to glory? Or will an unexpected contender shake up the order?
Let the bands play. Let the adrenaline surge through the players. Let the arrangers unleash their most daring ideas. Tonight, innovation meets tradition, passion meets precision, and the best of the best will claim the title.
A new—or repeat—champion is coming. We’re ready. Enjoy the show and watch as the top performers emerge.
Fans of our national instrument know that tonight is the Big Night for steelbands—and the world will be watching. Tune in via the radio feed or PPV to experience every note, every moment, every burst of steelband brilliance. We’ll have the radio broadcast linked right here in this post.
- Venue: Queen’s Park Savannah
- Scheduled Start Time: 7:00 PM
Order of Performance:
Order of Performance for the National Large Conventional Band
- First Citizens Supernovas—Rum & Coca Cola—Amrit Samaroo
- Massy Trinidad All Stars—The Will—Dr. Leon "Smooth" Edwards
- Bp Renegades—The Lizard—Duvonne Stewart
- Proman Starlift—Last Train—Dante Pantin
- Nutrien Silver Stars—Respectfully Yours—Ojay Richards
- Phase II Pan Groove—Trouble—Dr. Len "Boogsie" Sharpe
- T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps—Last Train—Clarence Morris
- Desperadoes—We Calypso—Carlton "Zanda" Alexander
- Republic Bank Exodus—Cyah Behave—Terrance "BJ" Marcelle
- Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra—Too Young To Soca—Kersh Ramsey
- Skiffle—Cyah Behave—Andre White
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: National Panorama Finals
Category: Large Conventional Bands
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Calypso ?
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
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. Kaiso Dial/Calypso 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 press the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the Music player/TV Frame).
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