Social media was abuzz overnight as soca scientists and their cohorts contemplated over when ‘soca would reach’. It’s a question that has bounced around for years and with one common answer often given, the question we at ETCETERABUZZ now pose is whether soca enthusiasts have supported soca music and their stakeholders enough in the past, to give it that boost that would encourage international recognition. Bunji Garlin, among other entertainers in past conversations with us have consistently remarked that they firmly believe the Caribbean genre will only stand alongside dancehall and other well recognised genres on the international scene, when locals truly rally in support of the music throughout the year. The 2013 BET awards highlighted Jamaica’s dancehall culture in a performance that rocked the venue and even saw stars like Gabrielle Union, India Arie and Trinidad and Tobago born rapper, Nicki Minaj singing and dancing along to the music of big name Caribbean acts like Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Dawn Penn and Chaka Demus & Pliers who were supported on stage by the Massive B duo of Jabba and Bobby Konders. Caribbean energy prevailed as Jamaica showed its authentic vibe, bringing the Nokia Centre in Los Angeles, to life like nothing else could.
The stage was all about Jamaica when the spotlight focused on the Caribbean.
In recent weeks, local entertainers have been releasing new soca music. Destra Garcia dropped a wicked single called ‘Handle The Ride’. Likewise, Cassi has released “Whole Day” and Shurwayne Winchester, “Wine Gyal Wine”. Ravi B has released the GBM produced, “Gyul Wukkin” and Kerwin Du Bois “Forget About It” while Soca taipan, Machel Montano has delivered a track called, “Bruk It”. These songs are however receiving a less than welcoming embrace at home in Trinidad by radio powerhouses who are tasked with the job of delivering the music to the people. This in itself, according to Trinidad and Tobago artistes, has been at the centre of the Soca music stagnancy.
Jamaica’s Beenie Man and Elephant Man perform at the 2013 BET Awards.
Today, after a night that has left many talking about Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago’s people bemoan the reality that the island’s precious creation that is Soca music, has once again been left behind. Recent inroads made by Bunji Garlin and certainly Machel Montano have given hope but is it enough? Carnival 2014 will be launched by the National Carnival Commission in T&T in July – offering an eight month long season ahead of the actual parade dates of March 3rd and 4th. What is now left to be seen is whether a longer season will bear a longer span for Soca airplay accommodation on the various frequencies… a larger mixture of artistes and a greater possibility that the music can create a greater buzz throughout the Caribbean and internationally, than ever before. The onus, is on us!
The time has come for good vibes to counteract all negative energy and together with his manager/producer, US based, Trinidadian artiste, Mr. Lee it doing what he feels he can, to inject that positivity.“I know the streets. I can tell you about the streets. Badness and the roughness is what they know. If they got the chance to get to know something else, they would do something else,” said the entertainer.
His music is refreshing. Afrobeats, coupled with Soul and RnB bring to life, a song on The Only 1 Riddim, that he calls, “Take Care.” For Mr. Lee, an artiste with many years of experience on the entertainment circuit overseas, and in the Caribbean, he is mindful of what he sings. “This type of music is necessary at all times to spread love and joy. I wish there could have been more beautiful messages all the time because it’s really important to spread love,” he said with hope.
Joining artistes like Preedy and Christo on the riddim, Mr. Lee is proud of the project. “This project means a whole lot to me. I have two girls and my wife and I have to express my love to them every single day of my life. I have my mom, my sisters, and I have to show them all the love I have within me. All the artistes on this riddim have done the same – we all expressed what we want to express to our loved ones. Most are real stories that can be relatable to others in society,” he explained.
On the topic of love and the importance of understanding what love is, Mr. Lee said for human beings to share love, they must first feel love. “If your father is not showing you love, how will you know love. Most of our youths have no parents around them. They are being influenced by a harsh representation of love, which really, is not love.” At the same time, he called on the elders within societies around the world, to try to strike a balance with the youth, especially in present time. “When I was growing up, the older heads never wanted to release a lot to the youths; they never wanted to give the youths a chance. People in positions of power must give the youths a chance to prove themselves. They have great ideas, but they need mentorship and guidance,” he said.
“Take Care,” written by Joseph ‘Pronto’ Figueroa, is a quality single with a passionate plea for more honest, kind, loving relational experiences. Unlike much of today’s lyrics, Mr. Lee keeps it classy, maintaining a thoughtful approach to music, with lyrics that penetrate. “The raw thoughts – we never heard that as youths. Some things should be kept personal,” he opined. An advocate for goodness, Mr. Lee is calling on men around the world to show their companions more love, in the right way. “Everybody wants to fight and kill. They don’t want to talk about things properly. We need to talk to our spouses more. We need to learn how to communicate better and spend more time with our loved ones.”
Happy to have enjoyed a successful run in Carnival 2026, in Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Lee is working on new music even as he promotes this brand-new track. “I’m working on new Soca to release for the Summer. I’m working, and I’m happy with the progress I’ve been able to make so far. It’s a process,” he said of being in the music business.
The state-to-state carnival wave set to begin in the US soon, Mr. Lee says this year he is looking forward to heading to Miami for Carnival there and will be back home in T&T, come Carnival 2027. In the meantime, the T&T native and dedicated family man is spreading love through good music that he knows is absolutely necessary at this time.
Caribbean entertainment doesn’t sleep. Proof of that comes in the release of brand new music, this time courtesy the superstar duo of Full Blown – brothers, Kevon and Kory Hart. Their new track, “No Stress” has been released complete with a new music video and it’s a big look for the duo.
No Stress is a vibrant, feel-good anthem that continues the duo’s evolution from soca favourites into one of the Caribbean’s most versatile and globally resonant musical acts.
Known for their strong songwriting skills, undeniable chemistry and sonic fearlessness, brothers Kevon and Kory have steadily built a reputation for creating music that transcends borders, generations and genres. Over the years, Full Blown has become synonymous with high-energy Caribbean songwriting, penning and producing hits that have dominated Carnival seasons, regional charts and party playlists across the diaspora.
Now, with No Stress, the duo taps into dancehall nostalgia while pushing Caribbean fusion music into fresh territory. The track reimagines the iconic Shabba Ranks classic Ting A Ling, blending vintage dancehall energy with Full Blown’s contemporary Caribbean flavour.
The release follows the brothers’ success with the track, The Greatest Bend Over (Take It Easy) alongside Yung Bredda, a crossover hit that amassed more than 40 million streams worldwide and was described by Billboard Magazine as “culture-quaking.”
“People know us for soca hits and high-energy music, but this record really reflects who we are creatively,” said Kevon. “We grew up influenced by so many sounds across the Caribbean. We are a happy, joyful, fun-loving people. We just want good vibes. No stress.”
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