FEEL THE
ISLAND
VYBE

 

The 1996 Ragga Soca hit “So Nanny,” arranged by Robin Imamsha and Ajala, is reborn as a Chutney Soca anthem featuring Savita Singh and Yuh Bredda. With Yung Bredda’s signature flair, this revival bridges generations and promises to be a Carnival 2026 banger in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

This is your passport, your invitation to see how Trinidadians celebrate and have fun. Carnival is coming, and the sweetness of Nadia is spreading across the island. This is Nadia time and we love everything she has delivered to date. The invitation is vibrant and full of Nadie vibes. Like Nadia, the song embodies the spirit of Carnival celebration. Cowritten by Nadia Batson, Erikkson George, and Keron “Sheriff” Thompson, and produced by Don Iko with final polishing by Madman Johann, the song is a solid offering that would bring the energy to all carnival revelers and fete fanatics. Kyle Peters' guitars and bass add a rich musical layer, providing the song with both groove and warmth.

 

Sometimes the most interesting things pop up in casual conversations. Recently, while watching a podcast, the discussion drifted to Parang Soca and Soca Parang. The hosts laughed it off, saying there’s really no difference between the two. While in the WACK Visual Radio chat box, I mentioned the discussion and was prompted by box police, Lenny, to do an article explaining the differences. I was confident I could make it happen because that moment brought to mind a conversation I once had with music producer Kenny Phillips, who explained it to me in a manner that was entirely clear and comprehensible.

It turns out, there are clear distinctions—and they matter if we want to respect the traditions and evolution of the music. Too often, misinformation becomes repeated until it feels like fact, and that’s how confusion spreads. I've outlined the distinctions in concise bullet points below to ensure clarity and maintain everyone's focus. Think of the information as a quick guide to avoid falling into the trap of misunderstanding these genres that are so deeply tied to our culture.

Parang

• The genre, rooted in Venezuelan and Spanish traditions, was introduced to Trinidad & Tobago.
• The song incorporates cuatro, mandolin, guitar, box bass, and maracas.
• Sung in Spanish or English with themes of Christmas, family, and festivity.
• The rhythm is folkloric, acoustic, and storytelling-driven.
• It is the mother genre from which the hybrids evolved.

Parang Soca

 

• The traditional parang rhythm drives the song, while modern electronic instruments, such as the bass guitar and keyboards, add a soca flavor.
• The vibe is festive, yet it still retains the essence of parang at its core.
• For example, Scrunter’s "Madame Jeffrey" and Crazy’s "Muchacha" showcase a parang rhythm infused with the brightness of soca.

Soca Parang

• Here, Soca is the dominant rhythm.
• The bassline and groove are unmistakably soca, with parang instruments and themes added for seasonal flavor.
• Lyrics often focus on Trini Christmas staples (ham, sorrel, and black cake) but are delivered in soca’s upbeat style.
• Example: Baron’s Spanish Woman or Machel Montano’s Soca Santa—Soca first, Parang second.

 

It's that time of the year again and the drippy drop of the Power Soca song is happening. Indeed, the Power Soca rage has officially begun, and Fay-Ann Lyons is leading the charge with a fast-paced adrenaline surge that will set the tone for Carnival 2026. Today we present her brand-new release: “Say When (Guardians Riddim),” a collaboration with Black Starr Pro that delivers pure energy for the road.