For every Soca artiste, the reason behind the passion, their drive and persistence, is different. Rachel Purcell- the artiste known simply as Rae, is the sweetheart of Soca. She says she’s motivated by not just her love for music, but her dedication to family and growth. Several songs already released heading into the heat of Carnival 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago, the young, beautiful superstar on the rise, is maintaining her focus, grateful for every blessing she’s experienced along her journey.
In 2019, Rae experienced something almost mysterious. She had gotten a chance at a breakthrough in T&T’s Soca music industry after struggling to find her path in music. “I’ve always loved to sing. I learnt to read music during my earlier years when I played the violin and after that, I attended the Frank Sinatra School of The Arts in the US,” she said. Traveling during her earlier years between T&T and New York and now, between Maryland and T&T, Rae says her earlier years were filled with moments of uncertainty and bouts of fear.
Rae even attempted to be a part of American Idol in the past.
“I had made the conscious decision to focus on music in High School and I had been mostly involved in the classical side of music, but it didn’t feel like it was enough for me,” she admitted. Even being aligned with a young group of singers in her earlier years, and recording at Murder Inc. studios in New York, Rae felt something was missing. “The feeling just wasn’t there and I decided to put a pause on it for a while at one point,” she said, explaining that she took time out of music professionally, but would perform with friends at Karoake clubs and even made an attempt to enter American Idol. “I signed up and on the day of the audition, in the cold, I lined up. Eventually though, fear kicked in and I changed my mind.”
A chance opportunity presented when she received a phone call from a relative, changed Rae’s trajectory. “My cousin called and told me he had connections with a songwriter who worked with Kees.” His name was Darryl Gervais, a well-known songwriter and producer who would eventually become Rae’s manager. Despite having never recorded Soca music, Rae’s conviction to make this opportunity count, led to her persuading Gervais to write two songs for her, for the 2020 carnival season. Added to that, with the help of another producer and singer in the business, Rae made a breakthrough even she did not see coming. “Darryl had contacted Motto on my behalf, telling him about me and asking him to consider me to be on a riddim for the season. Motto had asked to hear my music but I had none. It was unbelievable; Motto took that chance on me, adding me to the Toatin Riddim alongside artistes like Nadia Batson, Lyrikal, Nessa Preppy, Shal Marshall and himself. That was where it all started for me. That’s when I got my break.”
Now, five years later, having dealt with the pandemic’s tumultuous passage, Rae is standing strong, empowered as a female Soca artiste in the business. “During the pandemic when many of us were confused about the direction we should go in, I did not give up. I did a lot of virtual performances and maintained my presence,” she said, crediting the challenging global situation with her sudden rise.
Her latest release is called, ‘Throw Waist.’ It comes on the heels of other releases for the season, inclusive of ‘Wining Degree’ and ‘Come Over’ – a collaboration with Azaryah. The new single offers powerful visuals that deliver a different sound from the singer who many often consider to be strictly groovy. “Everybody calls me the Sweetheart of Soca, but I feel like that puts me in a category where people think I can only do ‘sweet’ songs. I don’t want to get boxed in; I’m versatile, and I am capable of multiple variations when it comes to Soca music,” she asserted.
Rae understands it’s not enough to just release music.
In the week ahead, Rae touches down in T&T, ready to hit the ground and push the music she’s armed with for Carnival 2025. In 2024 she became the second runner up when she entered the Antigua Soca Monarch and for the artiste, it was a major success. “I felt like I had won because I was an artiste nobody had known- with a song nobody had heard much of. That meant a lot to me,” she recalled.
Now aiming to deliver with stronger vocals in the season ahead, Rae says she is dedicated to connecting with the people through strong visuals online and authentic engagement. “It’s not enough to just release the music anymore. People want to connect, and visuals help with that. Bringing the content and the personality with the music, is the way forward,” she explained, adding that this year, her aim is also to show off more of her personality.
‘Throw Waist’ was written by Darryl Gervais and produced by Papo. The song delivers a militancy that’s sometimes necessary in the carnival season. “This song is about the ladies and the energy is all about dominating, empowering and strengthening the women all season long,” said Rae.
All set to parade with Paparazzi on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, the passionate, vibrant entertainer is maintaining a tunnel vision, focusing on her ascent in the business, and setting high standards for herself – something she knows will never be a mistake.
“Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings”… and so it is that at just 11-years-old, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s rising superstars is calling on the nation to sing less dancehall and Trinibad music, and instead focus on the traditions of T&T. Yung Kymani placed second in the 2024 Junior Soca Monarch competition. This season, the youngster whose family ties are linked to both Morvant and Carenage, is using his voice in multiple ways, delivering a remake to Machel Montano’s age- old hit, ‘Too Young to Soca,” while standing in support of the development of, and investment in T&T’s Soca and Calypso music. Yung Kymani’s single is called, “Soca In Meh.”
Sustained and strengthened by the support of his parents, Kymani continues on his road to musical success. His appreciation for the cultural traditions of his homeland, is strong. “Calypso and soca are basically one in the same as uncle Machel said in his 2024 Calypso Monarch song, Soca is the soul of Calypso,” he noted, adding that the main differences he sees are the speed and the information that’s shared using both genres. “With Calypso, there’s a lot of information on things that are happening around the world and at home. I learn a lot of things from listening to Calypso music – things I didn’t even know were happening,” he rationalized, adding, “Soca on the other hand, is really upbeat and is there to make us dance and be happy.”
The entertainer who attends St. Peter’s RC School, is excited to once again partake in the Junior Soca Monarch competition in 2025. His remake of Machel’s ‘Too Young to Soca’ hits home, he says, having faced the same kind of remarks from those outside of his close circle. “I’ve been told that I am too young to be doing this, and that I should stop singing Calypso and Soca, but I am so happy to have gotten this opportunity to remake this song, and to add my flavour to it.”
The song was written collaboratively by Nigel Lopez, Yung Kymani and Kymani’s mom, Kezia Hector. It was produced by Miguel Charles of the A Team Band and Robert SN Baptiste. The track was later mixed by Lunatix Productions and mastered by Precision Productions, making it a true expression of collaborative energy. “As a youth in Trinidad and Tobago, I really think we should try to preserve our culture,” said Kymani, this as he prepares to go head-to- head with other brilliant, young singers this carnival. “This music not only makes me happy, it’s a part of our culture. I think it should be taught in schools as a subject, we should have more jump ups and instead of singing Trinibad music, we can sing more Calypso and Soca. There should also be community classes that can teach our youths and even the adults, about the music and the culture,” said the youngster.
In 1985, at the age of 9, Machel Montano released ‘Too Young to Soca,’ a track that became an immediate hit and remains a distinctive part of the King of Soca’s lifetime music catalogue. “I did not want the song to sound too much like the original. I’ve added my vibe to it and I am very happy that I have been given the opportunity to remake it,” said the budding star.
Shivonne Church- Isaacs (Lil’ Bitts) has been in the soca industry for 20 years.
After two decades in the business, Lil’ Bitts—aka Shivonne Churche-Isaacs—has made a vow she plans to keep: never again will she sit out Carnival. The multi-talented artiste, known for her infectious energy and stage presence, has had a front-row seat to Trinidad and Tobago’s iconic festival season for years, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. She still remembers the shock she felt when she made the decision to skip the parades on Carnival Monday and Tuesday one season, only to end up physically sick. “I got sick—like, literally,” she admits. “I’ll never ignore Carnival’s call again.”
This year, Bitts is more than ready to hit the streets with Yuma for an unforgettable Carnival 2025. The excitement is palpable as she gears up for what’s sure to be a thrilling season, both on and off the road.
Rising to the Occasion with “Brighter Days”
Lil’ Bitts is happy to add something different to her repertoire, with ‘Brighter Days.’
With five songs under her belt and a growing social media presence, Lil’ Bitts is enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Her Instagram and other platforms have become hubs of interaction with fans, opening doors to new collaborations and promotional opportunities. “Social media is the ultimate artiste toolkit,” she says, urging fellow performers to embrace the digital world to connect with their audiences.
One of her most highly anticipated projects is the track “Brighter Days,” which she says has been in the works for three years. Produced by Gaffa Productions, the song has become a personal passion project. “This one is really special,” she shares. “The world needs positivity right now, and I feel like this song is necessary.” She credits the magic of modern technology for making it all come together, working with talented producers like Stemz, District 6 Studios, and Benje Music in hybrid mode from different locations in the region. She’s also collaborated with M1 on a single called “Wetter” for the 2025 season. “We’ve been talking about working together for years, and I’m so happy it’s finally happened,” she says. “M1’s a unique talent; there aren’t a lot of artistes like him.”
A Dream Come True: Chutney and Multi-Cultural Magic
Teaming up with Reshma Ramlal, Bitts has been reminded of the beauty that exists in T&T.
As if things weren’t busy enough, Lil’ Bitts has recently ventured into the world of chutney music. She got a call from the Pungalunks Factory to contribute vocals for a track with Reshma Ramlal, the Warrior Princess herself. The track, “Poowah Nah Ready,” is a dream come true for Bitts, who has always had an affinity for East Indian culture. “When I was a kid, I loved dressing in Indian clothes and watching Bollywood movies. I knew I wanted to do a Chutney song one day, but it had to feel natural. And this—this feels right,” she said. Bitts reflects on how much she’s learned and appreciated about Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural beauty through this experience. “The energy on set, the unity—it was amazing. We’re one people, and that’s something I never want to forget.” The collaboration has already earned a place in the spotlight, with Ramlal making it into the semi-finals of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition.
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