Soca is a genre of Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago. As the name suggests, it combines elements of soul and calypso with influences from other genres such as funk and disco.
The origins of soca date back to the late 1960s, when calypso was still popular in Trinidad & Tobago. Artists like Lord Kitchener began experimenting with different styles of music, including soul and funk, which eventually led to what we know today as soca!
Notable Music Artists
If you’re looking for a place to start with soca music, these artists are some of the most notable in the genre:
Machel Montano is a Trinidadian musician and songwriter who has been performing since 1988. He has won many awards for his work, including being named Artist of the Year at Trinidad’s Carnival in 2001 and 2002.
He also won Best International Album at the 2007 BET Awards and was nominated for Best International Act at that year’s MOBO Awards. His album “Blessed” was released in 2017 and reached number one on Billboard’s World Albums chart as well as number two on its Top Reggae Albums list–the first time this had ever happened!
Soca Music Festivals
Carnival. One of the most popular times to celebrate soca music is during the annual Carnival celebrations that take place in Trinidad and Tobago, but you can also catch these festivals in other countries as well.
World Soca Monarch (WSM). This competition is held annually at Port of Spain’s Queen’s Park Savannah and is considered by many to be one of the best ways to see some of your favorite artists perform live on stage together!
International Soca Awards (ISA). This award show takes place every year during Carnival season in T&T, where fans get a chance to see their favorite stars up close and personal while celebrating all things soca music!
Music in Film and Television
Soca music has been featured in several films and television shows. In the film Bazodee (2008), Machel Montano plays himself and sings the song “Bazodee”. The Soca Awards Show (2012) is an annual event that honors the best soca artists of the year.
It’s hosted by TV personality Wendell Roach and aired on CTV2 in Canada, Virgin 1 in Great Britain, DStv channel 101 in South Africa and other international channels around the world.
Music’s Influence on Other Genres
Soca music has had a significant influence on other genres, including calypso and reggae. In fact, soca’s popularity in Trinidad and Tobago led to the creation of a new genre called “calypso-soca.”
This fusion of traditional calypso with soca is characterized by its use of uptempo beats and instruments such as steel drums or tambourines.
Soca also has ties to Latin music because it shares some instrumentation with salsa music; both genres feature horns and percussion instruments like congas or timbales (drum sets).
These similarities have led some artists from each genre to collaborate together–for example, Jennifer Lopez released an album titled “Dance Again…The Hits” in 2012 that included several songs produced by Pitbull, who is known for mixing hip hop with Latin rhythms such as bachata and merengue.
The Soca Music Awards
This is an annual celebration of the genre, held in Trinidad and Tobago. The International Soca Awards were established in 1999, and have been held every year since then. They are also known as “the ISAs” or just “the Isas.”
The Soca Music Scene
In the Caribbean, music is a way of life. Soca music is no exception. In fact, it’s one of the most popular genres in this region and has been for decades.
Soca has also become popular among those who have left their home countries for better opportunities abroad; these diasporic communities often hold large festivals where they celebrate their heritage through song and dance, while also enjoying new experiences together as one big family.
