Music News
Sucre Is Taking Soca to the Youths. Big Plans Afoot for 2026.
Unmistakably, he’s next in line to claim major space in the Soca music industry and he’s already got a title to his name. Sucre is Trinidad and Tobago’s Youth Soca Champion and as the year winds down, the Zig Boi Music Group artiste, is preparing for bigger outcomes in 2026.
A new song released with varied formats for consumption across demographics set to be unleashed soon, the work is being done by both the artiste and his team, to ensure success. “Even before he entered the Ultimate Soca Champions competition, Sucre had been involved in a steady development program,” explained Zig Boi Music Group CEO, Mr. Spine. Years in the music industry in Trinidad and Tobago, across the region and internationally, has afforded the music producer a vantage point that has proven extremely helpful.
Sucre, whose full name is Nkosi Sucre, has been under Spine’s guidance for the past two years and already, the partnership has proven successful. “The development programme with Sucre saw us expose him to events, take him into the studio and engage in networking, all while working on unreleased music, during the first year,” said Spine. He explained that in his second year with Zig Boi, Sucre enrolled with the band Traffic and was exposed to band life and the sonics in a band room environment. “Traffic is a legendary band, however the aim was to engage a younger audience and the decision was made to form the Evolution Band – a youth centred band that represents the younger demographic when it comes to music and entertainment.”
Spine recalls that the announcement of the Soca Champions competition was unexpected, lamenting the fact that for many youths, there had been no outlet for stage development in the Soca industry in T&T, since the International Soca Monarch competition. “It was a great place to have him test his ability and he went on to win the competition,” Spine said proudly. Sucre has since performed in St Maarten, opening for the Morgan Heritage Family, and now as he refocuses ahead of 2026, the 24-year-old says his aim is to continue to show youths that they can do it too. “Ten years ago, I made the decision to do music. I was 14-years-old and I showed evidence of having a natural talent for music. I went on to study music and I got onto the merit list at CAPE,” he said, revealing that his desire to hone his craft saw him go on to acquire a Music degree from the University of the West Indies.
The artiste, songwriter and producer has even been credited with a Road March win in Guyana, having worked with budding, female artiste, Omaiah Hall. “I see myself finding my sound in the medium to long term. I know I’m in my developmental stage and I’m a representation of the youth and the talent that youths have to offer. Eventually I want to provide a space for other young artistes and creatives. The aim is to create a community of people and have a new generation follow a new wave of Soca,” he declared.
The new single, ‘Gimme Wuk Darlin,’ is the second instalment to a love story started by the artiste, in 2025. The first single was called, ‘Hold on Darlin,’ and speaks to all women. When it comes to the new sound of soca music, Sucre says he believes youths must find their voice. “Times will change, perspectives on life will change. It’s a matter of finding a safe space to express yourself and just be yourself.”
Proud of his development thus far, the young Trinbago talent is looking ahead. He will re-enter the Soca Champions competition, this time competing against Blaka Dan and other artistes in the main competition. “I’m going to be looking out for Blaka Dan – the champion, but really and truly, I just want to be able to show people why I deserve that spot in the finals. I want to go out there and show my best,” he said. Plans to step foot into territories beyond the Caribbean in the year ahead, Sucre and the team at Zig Boi Music Group say they are utilizing their in-house facilities to better their product. “We’re always open to working with other people, as much as we have our in- house resources,” said Spine. Zig Boi Music commands a full-scale marketing and promotional facility, aiding artistes with graphic support, photography, video production, fashion, imaging and more. Spine said fans of good Soca music can look out for great things from Sucre, complemented by his team at Zig Boi Music, as the 2026 Carnival season comes into focus.
Caribbean Buzz
Grenada’s Sabrina Francis On Her Way to T&T. Artiste Feels A Vibe With Freetown Collective.
Undeniably authentic and superbly talented, a sister of the Caribbean region, is set to island-hop between her homeland, Grenada and over to nearby, Trinidad and Tobago, for what she promises will be a musical experience to remember.
Sabrina Francis sings a melodic fusion of Afro-Caribbean pop, but according to the young performer, the pop is hardly noticeable. In what will be her second visit to Trinidad on September 14th, Sabrina will share her mesmerizing energy with music lovers at Kafe Blue in Port -of- Spain, and as she explained, the show is part of the foundation being laid, for eventual sonic experiences that will ultimately knock the socks off true fans of music and melody.
In Grenada, Francis hosts mountain side shows. “I have been focused on my show, ‘Meet Me at the Mango Tree,’ which is truly a different experience. There’s a shed with a tree in the middle of it and when guests arrive, I give them headphones. They walk a red carpet, sit, and I tell them a story using sounds and songs for one hour and thirty minutes,” she explained, adding, “It’s a very special and unique experience.”
Her execution of events like Meet Me at the Mango Tree, Sunset Sessions and The Wide-Open concert in Grenada, are preparing her for major regionwide showcases. For now, however, Sabrina says she is wetting her feet, getting to know her neighbours better and introducing them to her sound and style. “This past year has been a year of live music. I would like the next year to be a year of collaboration. I want to meet with artistes and producers when I come to Trinidad, to chat and see what the possibilities are because I believe that collaboration in the creative space is just a really great thing for building relationships and creating something new and magical.”
Excited about the release of a brand new single, set for month’s end, Francis said she will deliver the song to her audience at Kafe Blue in Trinidad. “The song is called, ‘Don’t Waste My Time,’ and we recently wrapped the video for it,” she shared, highlighting that her goal for music, as an artiste in these times is simply to deliver sustainable artistry. “With the state of the music industry globally, my goal is to make my music sustainable, so that in 15 years, I could still host a concert and the followers that I’m engaging now will want to come out and enjoy the music for the nostalgia. I want to be an original name and eventually an international name, where possible. I will push for it and do what needs to be done,” said Francis.
Humble and grounded, the artiste who is certainly growing in popularity outside of the Caribbean region as well, said she hopes to one day collaborate with T&T’s Freetown Collective. “I opened for them at a show I did in the UK. I also went to one of their tiny spaces concerts in Trinidad and it reminded me of my Sunset Sessions that I do in Grenada. I really think we’d be aligned musically.”
Though atypical when compared to the artistes on the traditional Caribbean music circuit, and even at home in Grenada, Sabrina Francis’ sound is pronounced and undeniably rich. “The support at home has been steady and warm. People really wish me well and I feel like I’m getting more and more recognized. People are meeting and greeting me at the supermarket so I always have to dress well when I’m leaving the house now,” she laughed.
Fellow Grenadian artistes Mr. Killa, Dash, Terror de Governor and others have also thrown tremendous support behind her, over the years. “They’re always willing to come through for their girl and I appreciate that immensely,” she said.
Tickets for her T&T showcase on September 14th, are available online at www.sabrinafrancis.com. She says tickets will also be available at the door and she anticipates seeing music lovers come out to experience an unforgettable show. “I’ll be sharing music and magic. I can’t wait to see everyone.”
Caribbean Buzz
Caribbean Music Awards to Celebrate The Unmatched Caribbean Vibe in New York, This Thursday.
The annual Caribbean Music Awards is set to unfold this Thursday from 8pm at Kings Theatre, in New York. Hosted by Caribbean Elite Group, the event is quickly becoming an anticipated celebration of Caribbean greatness, annually.
This year, Jamaican dancehall artiste, Bounty Killer will receive the Lifetime Achievement award at the Caribbean Music Awards. Busta Rhymes will also be honored with the Elite Icon award, recognizing his cultural influence, having blended his Jamaican roots with mainstream HipHop. Additionally, Trinidad and Tobago’s Austin ‘Superblue’ Lyons will be presented with Calypso Honors for his impact on the Soca music genre. On the production side of things, T&T’s Kerwin DuBois will also receive a special producer’s honor for his work over the years.
With a list of nominees that exceed 150 Caribbean creatives, The Caribbean Music Awards will once again recognize artists, producers and industry professionals who’ve significantly contributed to the growing Caribbean music landscape. Some 40 categories, multiple genres of music from the around the region, will highlight the tremendous work of Caribbean creatives over the past year.
This year, new categories include, Caribbean R&B and Zess-Steam Artiste of the Year, International DJ of the Year (Female), Reggae Collaboration of the Year, and Reggae, Gospel, and Caribbean Fusion Song of the Year. In the popular ‘People’s Choice’ category, artistes nominated include T&T’s Yung Bredda, Lady Lava, Kes The Band, Skillibeng, Shenseea, Skeng and Vybz Kartel.
