Calypsonian Crazy: The Maestro Behind the Birth of Parang Soca and Chutney Soca
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
December 30, 2024
Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
Have you ever wondered about the origins of specific Soca subgenres? Well, today we begin to unravel the untold stories and post them for posterity. We start by discussing the influence of Calypsonian Crazy and his songs, which contributed to the development of the subgenres "Parang Soca/Soca Parang" and Chutney Soca. KG's video interview with Crazy, available on YouTube, is aiding us in this endeavor. Do you know the story of Soca Parang/Parang Soca and Chutney Soca? We have adapted the story from the interview and added some additional content. We hope this helps. Set aside forty-two minutes to reach back in time and learn some fascinating facts about the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago.
Parang Soca/Soca Parang:
Back in 1978, Calypsonian Crazy, with his adventurous spirit, embarked on a musical experiment that would forever change the Caribbean music landscape. He introduced the world to Soca Parang with his groundbreaking track "Maria," seamlessly weaving the traditional festive sounds of Parang with the infectious energy of Soca. For the record, he noted that all Christmas music up until 1977 was American ballads, and no Christmas songs mentioned our local Christmas cuisine. He also related an incident where a visiting Venezuelan music group sang a song that a language-aware individual perceived as disparaging. From that point on, he set out to incorporate English words into the traditional Parang music.
Record stores dismissed "Maria" as insignificant and doubted its potential for success, but radio stations championed Crazy's innovative creation. Record stores dismissed Crazy, tossing his 45 rpm records like saucers' through the air, but radio stations, 610 am and Rediffusion, rescued the song. These stations embraced the track, spinning it frequently and giving it the push it needed to become a success. Thanks to the airwaves, "Maria" resonated with audiences, and Parang Soca was born—a delightful hybrid that has since become a festive staple.
Chutney Soca:
Crazy's influence didn't stop there. He ventured into Chutney Soca, another unique fusion genre, back in 1988. With the collaboration of the legendary Super Blue and the talented Leston Paul, Crazy crafted the hit "Nanny Wine." Super Blue's catchy phrase provided the spark Crazy needed to create yet another iconic song, blending the rhythmic essence of Soca with the melodious tunes of Chutney music. Crazy gave all the credit to Leston Paul for the iconic music that brought "Nanny Wine" to life.
Crazy's pioneering spirit and his knack for blending musical genres have left an indelible mark on the Caribbean music scene, enriching it with vibrant new sounds that continue to delight and inspire. In addition to receiving widespread acclaim, Crazy's ability to fuse different cultural elements has created opportunities for emerging artists to explore and innovate within the genre. As a result, the legacy of "Nanny Wine" endures, serving as a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in music.
Crazy is deserving of recognition, and learning from the interview that he possesses over 1,500 songs is truly remarkable. We need to curate and list Crazy's music catalog for future generations. Most Calypso, Parang Soca, Soca Parang, or Chutney Soca fans may not be able to list a few of Crazy's songs. We need to do this for the sake of our culture. By compiling Crazy's extensive collection, we can not only honor his contributions but also inspire new artists to explore and innovate within these vibrant musical traditions.
Let us promote the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Our mission is to advance music producers, performers, and Caribbean culture. Your support helps us celebrate and elevate the vibrant sounds and stories of the Caribbean. We can all work together to make sure that this rich cultural legacy continues to inspire creativity and connection while reaching a larger audience. You should always purchase music for sale, but refrain from sharing promotional music, as it deprives the artists, producers, and songwriters of vital income. Please note that all our posts can be accessed online via social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Interview by KG: Crazy speaks about the creation of Parang Soca/Soca Parang and Chutney Soca
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca, Parang Soca, Soca Parang, Chutney 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 1976. We intend no copyright infringement! We present this music here for promotional purposes only; we do not own the rights to it. We encourage you to promote the artists and their music; please don't download and share them and rob the artists of needed income! Neither I nor this blog claim any ownership over the videos, songs, photos, or graphics used in this post, as they all belong to their respective owners.
♫Please click the music player button below to listen now (a small triangle in the music player/TV frame).
Crazy talks about his early beginnings...also makes it clear he was the first person to do Soca Parang...and much more - Maria & Nanny Wine.
Keep it Moving by Sir Mikey x Eclipse International Band: Carnival Vibes
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
December 30, 2024
Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
As the year comes to a close, we have new music for Carnival 2025. Today we feature the newly released high-energy Soca track titled "Keep It Moving" by Sir Mikey x Eclipse International Band. Written by the talented James "Jamesy P" Morgan and produced and mixed by Lunatix Productions, this song has a musical flow that fans will love.
This music production feels different from most of the music coming out of Trinidad and Tobago. It has a small island band vibe that is so infectious. This is a welcome change from most of the music that we are hearing for Carnival 2025. We noticed the vibe, and we absolutely love it.
Precision Productions performed the final mastering of the track, ensuring top-notch quality and an infectious vibe. Kudos to the production team. "Keep It Moving" is exactly what we need to keep the Carnival spirit alive and thriving. Sir Mikey and the Eclipse International Band, based in the US, are closely monitoring the Caribbean music scene. The vibe just feels right, and the fans are already buzzing with excitement. Simply put, the code for Carnival 2025 is "Keep it Moving!"
Now we need to hear from you. Have you listened to this track yet? Join the wave, and let's keep the energy high all through this upcoming Carnival season.
Let us promote the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Our mission is to advance music producers, performers, and Caribbean culture. Your support helps us celebrate and elevate the vibrant sounds and stories of the Caribbean. We can all work together to make sure that this rich cultural legacy continues to inspire creativity and connection while reaching a larger audience. You should always purchase music for sale, but refrain from sharing promotional music, as it deprives the artists, producers, and songwriters of vital income. Please note that all our posts can be accessed online via social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Sir Mikey x Eclipse International Band: Keep it Moving
Performed by: Sir Mikey
Written by: James “Jamesy P” Morgan
Produced by: Lunatix Productions
Vocals Recorded by: Lunatix Productions
Mixed by: Lunatix Productions
Mastered by: Precision Productions
Background Vocals: SirMikey, James “Jamesy P” Morgan, & Rochelle Griffith
Origin: Trinidad/USA
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 1976. We intend no copyright infringement! We present this music here for promotional purposes only; we do not own the rights to it. We encourage you to promote the artists and their music; please don't download and share them and rob the artists of needed income! Neither I nor this blog claim any ownership over the videos, songs, photos, or graphics used in this post, as they all belong to their respective owners.
♫Please click the music player button below to listen now (a small triangle in the music player/TV frame).
Soca Superman by JW x Smiddy Smith: Canboulay Riddim 2025
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
December 29, 2024
Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
We are super excited to introduce the newly released Soca track titled "Soca Superman" by JW and Smiddy Smith! Written by the talented team of Jason Williams, Kitwana Israel, Akeem Chance, and Vonley Smith and produced by Smiddy Smith for StarBlu Entertainment, this song is bursting with energy and vibe.
"Soca Superman" brings an electrifying excitement that's sure to get you moving. The music production is top-notch, delivering a powerful and engaging sound that's perfect for Carnival. The visuals for the music video take you back to the days of the cane harvest and the eventual Canboulay riots. The lyrics, "two hands up in the air, ah, jumping in the crowd, make way for the Soca Superman," evoke a sense of nostalgia. JW is a perfect fit for this song; can you hear anyone else singing it?
However, we've got one tiny complaint—at 2:06 minutes, the song feels way too short! We just can't get enough of it and wish it lasted a bit longer. Given the way DJs play music at parties, the song's length won't be an issue, but for radio stations and those who enjoy creating playlists, a remix and extended version will undoubtedly be necessary!
We would love to get your feedback on this production. Have you listened to "Soca Superman" yet? Let us know what you think! Your thoughts and opinions are invaluable to us, and we’re eager to hear how the song resonates with you. If you have any suggestions for future tracks or ideas for remixes, don’t hesitate to share!
Let us promote the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Our mission is to advance music producers, performers, and Caribbean culture. Your support helps us celebrate and elevate the vibrant sounds and stories of the Caribbean. We can all work together to make sure that this rich cultural legacy continues to inspire creativity and connection while reaching a larger audience. You should always purchase music for sale, but refrain from sharing promotional music, as it deprives the artists, producers, and songwriters of vital income. Please note that all our posts can be accessed online via social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Soca Superman
Artist/Performed by: JW x Smiddy Smith
Written by: Jason Williams, Kitwana Isarel, Akeem Chance, and Vonley Smith
Produced by: Smiddy Smith (StarBlu Entertainment)
Live Brass by: Temperature The Band
Mixed & Mastered by: islands (The Audio Lab)
Visual Art by: Yung Rudd
Distributed by: Monk Music
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 1976. We intend no copyright infringement! We present this music here for promotional purposes only; we do not own the rights to it. We encourage you to promote the artists and their music; please don't download and share them and rob the artists of needed income! Neither I nor this blog claim any ownership over the videos, songs, photos, or graphics used in this post, as they all belong to their respective owners.
♫Please click the music player button below to listen now (a small triangle in the music player/TV frame).
Who Have It by Preedy x Smiddy Smith: Canboulay Riddim 2025
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
December 29, 2024
Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
We are absolutely buzzing with excitement over the newly released song "Who Have It" by Preedy and Smiddy Smith, featured on the Canboulay Riddim album. Written by the talented Akeem "Preedy" Chance and produced by Smiddy Smith for StarBlu Entertainment, this track is the epitome of energy and vibe.
"Who Have It" feels like the "Energizer Bunny" of this album. Though we wish it was a bit longer than 2:06 minutes, we surprisingly felt satisfied listening to it. If you're not physically fit, the infectious energy of the song and Preedy's complimentary energetic vocals will require you to consume an energy drink to keep up! Avoid taking risks or overexerting yourself; after all, there are many fetes to attend for Carnival 2025!
In retrospect, we were among the first to support Preedy when he began his career. Now hearing him excel in this production makes us smile. Preedy's vocal performance is top-notch, perfectly complementing the superb music production by Smiddy Smith.
We have said enough, and now it's your turn to share your thoughts on this music release with your peers. We have determined that this is the album's standout track. We absolutely love it and can't get enough! Have you heard "Who Have It" yet? Let us know if you’re feeling the vibe as much as we are!
Let us promote the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Our mission is to advance music producers, performers, and Caribbean culture. Your support helps us celebrate and elevate the vibrant sounds and stories of the Caribbean. We can all work together to make sure that this rich cultural legacy continues to inspire creativity and connection while reaching a larger audience. You should always purchase music for sale, but refrain from sharing promotional music, as it deprives the artists, producers, and songwriters of vital income. Please note that all our posts can be accessed online via social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Who Have It
Artist/Performed by: Preedy x Smiddy Smith
Written by: Akeem Chance
Produced by: Smiddy Smith (StarBlu Entertainment)
Live Brass by: Temperature The Band
Mixed & Mastered by: islands (The Audio Lab)
Visual Art by: Yung Rudd
Distributed by: Monk Music
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 1976. We intend no copyright infringement! We present this music here for promotional purposes only; we do not own the rights to it. We encourage you to promote the artists and their music; please don't download and share them and rob the artists of needed income! Neither I nor this blog claim any ownership over the videos, songs, photos, or graphics used in this post, as they all belong to their respective owners.
♫Please click the music player button below to listen now (a small triangle in the music player/TV frame).
