Marcia Miranda on the Front Burner: Parang, Passion & the Power of Christmas
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
December 13, 2025
This post first appeared on Sokah2Soca, where Caribbean music meets wit, rhythm, and real talk. Island Vybe Radio spins the tunes—we decode the culture.
Ham, parang, and parang soca are integral to our culture; they represent the essence of Trinidad and Tobago, and today we look to Chef Jason Peru and Mickel Maraj for an engaging conversation with singer Marcia Miranda, the new Soca Parang Queen. If you're familiar with Trinbago, you'll understand that Christmas in Trinidad & Tobago wouldn't be complete without our seasonal parang music. Hold on now, there is also the voice of Marcia Miranda. On Notes from The Front Burner, hosted by Chef Jason Peru and Mickel Maraj, Marcia shares her remarkable 35+ year journey across calypso, soca, chutney, and parang. This interview felt like enjoying a good Trini lime with close friends. There were smiles and humor, honesty, and heart as she reflected on her career highlights, personal battles, and festive traditions—reminding us why she remains a beloved cultural icon during the season of joy.
Notes from The Front Burner is Hosted By @chefjasonperu & Mickel Maraj
Christmas Time In Trinidad & Tobago Means that the Parang Soca Queen, Marcia Miranda, must stop by On The Front Burner with Hosts Chef Jason Peru & Mickel Maraj.
Marcia has been a cultural stalwart in Caribbean music for the past 35 years and more, contributing to the landscapes of Calypso, Soca, Chutney, Parang, and so much more. She sits on the front burner and speaks about her prolific career in music, touting Christmas as her favorite time of the year. We had a conversation about the famous "Bring out the Ham" music video, her time as a Stewardess at the National Airline, B.W.I.A., and her passion for travel.
She talks about her love for what she does and how she has stayed relevant in her industry for all these years as a household name. She shares her experience with cancer and how it transformed her perspective on life.
She divulges her secret crushes in the local music industry, her favorites and even some old embarrassing stories while performing on stage.
She states that she prefers doubles over roti any day and explains her reasoning. Her childhood was in Tobago as a child and when she sings a certain song, it always makes people cry with emotion during Christmas.
With such a humble and loving heart, she partakes in a vivid and colorful exchange on the podcast, where she shares a lot of her soul and answers some tough questions about her past, challenges in relationships, and what she would like her legacy to be when she transitions.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy this special dialogue that hosts humor, astonishment, and learning points about love and divinity, as well as what makes her angry while driving on the nation’s roads. It’s a rollercoaster or conversation with Parang Queen, Marcia Miranda.
Merry Christmas from the Team On The Front Burner and Marcia Miranda—A Bright and Prosperous NEW YEAR 2026.
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
The Front Burner is Hosted By @chefjasonperu & Mickel Maraj
Production by @RiyalityStudio
Shot at Burlington Courts in Palmiste, Trinidad & Tobago ?
?Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but also on a daily basis. Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music, and Soca are thriving!
We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
♫Please click the small triangle button in the music player below to listen now.
Freetown Collective Ignites Calypso’s Flame: Reaching Out to the Spirit of Our Ancestors
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
December 06, 2025
This post first appeared on Kaiso Dial, where Caribbean music meets wit, rhythm, and real talk. Island Vybe Radio spins the tunes—we decode the culture.
This is "Calypso"—no, really, not just a Calypso song but a song named "Calypso" brought to us by Freetown Collective. We believe you will love it because it's a powerful ode to storytelling, memories, and musical legacies.
Now, this just in. I received a call from Mr. Desmond this morning and he mentioned that I'm putting too much writing into these posts. As a result, we will be as brief as we can from now on.
The song was written by Muhammad Muwakil, Lou Lyons, Mevon Soodeen, and Kitwana Israel, featuring rich layers of live brass, guitars, and bass vibes. This production by AdvoKit Productions feels like a bridge between eras. The energy recalls classics like Machel Montano and Kerwin Dubois' "Possessed," while honoring the giants who shaped our sound.
So there you have it, and Deso, I do hope this review fits your reading criteria. This song, dear friends, feels like one we can describe as 'a keeper of the flame'—carrying mother calypso's spirit forward with reverence and embodying the spirit of our ancestors.'
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Calypso (Keepers Of The Flame)
Artist/Performed by: Freetown Collective
Written by: Muhammad Muwakil, Lou Lyons, Mevon Soodeen & Kitwana Israel
Additional Background Vocals by: Muhammad Muwakil, Lou Lyons & Kitwana Israel
Guitars by: Lou Lyons
Bass by: Rodney Alexander
Brass Arrangement by: Kenny Phillips
Live Brass Played by: Sax. Oral Rodriguez, Bone. David Jacob’s & Tpt. Roger Jaggassar
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by: AdvoKit Productions
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Calypso ?
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
? Listen. Share. Amplify. Kaiso Dial—Where Rhythm Lives. Calypso, Steelband, and Soca thrive every day, not just at Carnival. ?✨ Elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word! ? Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Kaiso Dial/Calypso Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
♫Please press the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the Music player/TV Frame).
Not Venezuela by Alana Sinnette: Calypso’s Dance with Geopolitics
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
December 06, 2025
This post first appeared on Kaiso Diall, where Caribbean music meets wit, rhythm, and real talk. Island Vybe Radio spins the tunes—we decode the culture.
Baila mami, baila... and just like that, the reprise of the Calypsonian explodes on the scene with a bold new entry. Today we present a song with political intrigue, music to dance with and packed with Geopolitical drama. So let's celebrate the debut of "Not Venezuela" by Alana Sinette. The tune is the type of calypso that fills the space with rich newspaper intrigue and party vibes and delivers more than just music to dance and celebrate for this Christmas season but also our upcoming carnival. But then again, it is more than all of that —it delivers a message.
Now let's get into the production of this gem. So, what exactly is the story behind "Not Venezuela"? For that, we have to get into the writer's mindset. Now we understand that while we cannot know everything, we can still make assumptions based on the lyrical content. Penned by Lyndon Peters, the song conveys the uneasy reality of Trinidad's economic and political relationship with Washington, DC. In other words, our economic navel string is rooted in the economic tantrums of the United States... so what can you do to resist? There is absolutely nothing, and for that reason, this song paints a vivid picture of a nation caught in the crosswinds of international conflict. What I know for sure is that we party hard in Trinidad and we are not looking to entertain any conflict or participate in anything relating to the invasion of Venezuela! The song's music, lyrics, and vocals are informative, and as I previously mentioned, we have a strong party culture in Trinidad.
Like it or not, the current administration had to cooperate because of a signed agreement by the previous administration. However, Alana reminds us that our history is intricately linked to the interests of the US, regardless of your agreement or disapproval. But then again, calypso does not ever shy away from what is true. It echoes the genre's tradition of social and political commentary while keeping the rhythm and the vibe irresistibly lively... thanks to Kenny Phillips, who composed and arranged the music. Alana Sinette does a wonderful job with the vocals... yes, Kaiso!
Let's do a quick mic drop check:
- The Sound of Resistance
- The production is rich with live instrumentation:
- Rodney Alexander's bass provides a steady pulse to the track.
- Kenny Phillips plays the guitar, adding sharp melodic lines that dance around the percussion.
- Kenny Phillips' arrangement skillfully blends Latin flair and calypso fire.
After hearing the song, you'll love the message and the sweet soundscape that recalls the time when calypso ruled carnivals. In other words, it is music that makes you move while making you think... nice calypso, eh!
This marks a new beginning, signaling the rebirth of music that reminds the Soca and Zess generation that sweet music originates from the mother genre. The song is thought provoking and while many are critical of the country's Prime Minister, they should know that her actions put Trinidad in the safe zone with the decision-makers in Washington. Our citizens living there won't be harassed and they can party in America without icebreakers on the lookout. "Not Venezuela" continues that legacy, reminding listeners that even in the most complex geopolitical entanglements, art remains a powerful way to process, critique, and resist.
"Not Venezuela" is not just a song to dance to—it’s a song to reflect on.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Not Venezuela
Artist/Performed by: Alana Sinnette
Written by: Lyndon Peters
Arranged by: Kenny Peters
Bass by: Rodney Alexander
Guitar by: Kenny Phillips
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Calypso ?
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
? Listen. Share. Amplify. Kaiso Dial—Where Rhythm Lives. Calypso, Steelband, and Soca thrive every day, not just at Carnival. ?✨ Elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word! ? Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Kaiso Dial/Calypso Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
♫Please press the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the Music player/TV Frame).
Your Caribbean Music Connection: Mr. Desmond Radio Featured on Kaiso Dial
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
December 06, 2025
This post first appeared on Sokah2Soca, where Caribbean music meets wit, rhythm, and real talk. Island Vybe Radio spins the tunes—we decode the culture.
At Sokah2Soca, we’ve always celebrated the rich sounds of the Caribbean. We continue to feature Island Vybe Radio here, but we're eager to introduce something new to our community.
Introducing our brand-new Calypso blog: Kaiso Dial
On Kaiso Dial, we’re now featuring our new radio player, Caribbean Radio Vibes, with our chosen radio dial set to Mr. Desmond Radio. Let Kaiso Dial be your deep-rooted home for our Calypso culture and for the music of Trinidad and Tobago. Enjoy the music that made our country famous. We provide all of it: Calypso, Steelband music, and all things Caribbean.
We invite you, our faithful readers, every lover of rhythm and wit, to join us on this journey. Visit Kaiso Dial, tune in, and vibe with us as we keep the culture alive and resonating for Carnival 2026 and beyond.
Come vibe with Kaiso Dial today: Caribbean Radio Vibes—Mr. Desmond.
