Soca Saves Lives: 5 Reasons You Should Listen To Soca Music
The power of music is undeniably universal. It is a well known fact that music is a melody of sound that intimately interacts with our earlobes further penetrating our bodies. Soca music is a prime example of a genre that has the power and intentions to move the listeners body/soul. Truth be told, soca gives off a vibe that no other genre can. Soca saved my life and has the power to improve/save yours too!
*Alexa play “Soca Saved My Life” by Destra Garcia*
Soca, also known as sokah, was founded in the 1970’s by Trinidadian calypsonian Ras Shorty I “Lord Shorty”, Garfield Blackman (grandfather of soca artist Nailah Blackman ).
Lord Shorty originally sang calypso music, originally known as “kaiso”, an artform pioneered by enslaved Africans who communicated to one another pre-emancipation using “call and response” and “picong”. Calypso is typically performed in a large tent for a seated audience (look out for my upcoming blog highlighting original research titled “Calypso Music as a Catalyst for Change in Trinidad and Tobago”). Lord Shorty’s new music sokah was originally a combination of calypso and East Indian music, to reflect the dominant ethnic groups that makeup Trinidad and Tobago, “Soul Calypso.
Shorty’s 1974 “Endless Vibrations” and “Soul of Calypso” brought the genre of soca to its pinnacle of international fame.
Soca music is typically made for the road (the route in which Carnival masqueraders parade) and fetes (parties). Soca contains many of the elements of calypso such as call-and-response and storytelling, however the essential components include a quick paced rhythm, exciting lyrics, and short repetitive phrases.
Today there are several sub-genres in Soca such as Chutney soca, Parang soca, Power soca, Groovy soca, and Afrosoca. Soca music has evolved since the 1980’s and has been produced by other other than Trinidad such as Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, US and British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Guyana and Belize. There have also been significant productions from artists in Venezuela, Canada, Panama, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan.
Here are five reasons to listen to soca music:
- Soca gives the listener(s) a feeling of euphoria when played at the appropriate volume (loudest).
- Soca can aide in the remedy and avoidance of depression, as it has the power to instantly uplift the mood of the listener(s). It can improve mental health when played at the appropriate volume (loudest).
- Soca is judgement free and about unity, it is not about how much money one has, how big their house is, or how much their clothes cost. It provides the listener(s) with a genuine sense of freedom when played at the appropriate volume (loudest).
- Soca will cause you to dance, jump, wine, wave, and experience a collective effervescence. Especially when attending a carnival/fete and the music is played at the appropriate volume (loudest).
- Soca can aide in maintaining and improving overall physical health, as it helps the listener(s) actively pump through a rhythmic gym workout/jog. It provides the listener(s) with the energy that they need when played at the appropriate volume (loudest). Headed to the gym today soon? Here is a blazing new mix “Soca Gym Series 4 (Cardio Edition” presented by DJ Jel it features power soca hits past and present, two bouyon songs and a Ole’ school Bunji session to get you pumping!
So if you’ve read this far you are likely already a soca junkie, or you well on your way to becoming one.
Here is one of my favorite Soca mixes “Soca Brainwash 2015” presented by DJ Private Ryan, a lengthy mix to get you started.
Once you are acclimated to the upbeat music and catch up on the latest soca releases, the next step is to attend Carnival.
Soca to the world!
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