Soca Music Troubles and the one you missed: Hey Choppi's "Aye Gyal"
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
March 26, 2025
Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
Every year the early Soca mixes arrive midway into summer here in New York City! Surprisingly, it's New York City instead of Trinidad and Tobago! Julian's Promos distributes the songs, and we have the honor of hearing them first. But here is the thing: the radio stations in Trinidad and Tobago responsible for helping the people become aware of the new music are not in 'new Soca mode' until their program directors direct them 'to become Carnival aware'. Despite their claims, it dates back to our colonial period. They may not realize they're doing it, but that's another topic.
Today, we reflect on one of the songs that came early and got left behind by the radio stations in Trinidad and Tobago. We feature "Aye Gyal" by Hey Choppi. This is a terrible shame because the song is great, there are no remixes online, and even the DJs don't know why. Machel Montano's star attraction and hype led everyone down a path that even excluded Kes and his early pioneering cocoa tea! Wow, can you begin to understand how significant that is? Oh wait, what about "Coffee" by Nadia Batson? Sigh...
Ok, enough complaining! We want you to give this song a listen and tell us if you believe it was not excellent enough to be on radio rotation. If you believe it deserves more recognition, we'd love to hear your thoughts on its standout elements. Tell us what you believe makes it successful or why you believe it may have gone unnoticed!
Just watch what is going to happen with the weekly Soca Top 10 by COTT or any weekly charting for Trinidad and Tobago music from now and deep into summer. The chart will have the same 10 songs changing places with a novelty song thrown in once in a while.
This pattern often reflects a lack of diversity in what listeners are exposed to, making it harder for new artists to break through. As the summer heats up, we hope to see fresh sounds emerge and challenge the status quo, bringing excitement back to the airwaves. With any luck, these new tracks will captivate audiences and inspire established artists to experiment with their sound. The music scene thrives on innovation, and the summer months provide the perfect backdrop for creative exploration and unexpected collaborations.
Let us promote the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Our mission is to advance music producers, performers, and Caribbean culture. Your support helps us celebrate and elevate the vibrant sounds and stories of the Caribbean. We can all work together to make sure that this rich cultural legacy continues to inspire creativity and connection while reaching a larger audience. You should always purchase music for sale but refrain from sharing promotional music, as it deprives the artists, producers, and songwriters of vital income. Please note that all our posts can be accessed online via social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Aye Gyal
Singer/Performed by: Hey Choppi
Written by: Hey Choppi & Chalmer John
Produced by: AdvoKit Productions
Mixed & Mastered by: Precision Production
Artwork by: “iamkirky"
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca
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/.
Remembering "Coffee" by Nadia Batson – A Missed Carnival Gem
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
March 24, 2025
Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
Who does keep me up? She does keep me up; Nadie does keep me up! Fire in the house, and as we reflect on Carnival 2025, we have to applaud the work of Nadia Batson. One of our favorite tracks for the season was "Coffee" by this superb and talented artist, Miss Nadia Batson.
We firmly believe that the influential figures, the Soca Gods, overlooked this one. Yes, initially people were excited about the song, but just like that, it was as if the world was against Nadie, against some sweet Soca music, as the song disappeared from the radio rotation. What a shame for such a wonderful song.
Could we explore why this song didn't perform better on the radio? Why Trinidad? This song was well written with a vibe that rivals most of the songs released for Carnival 2025. One has to ask, why didn't this song reach its full potential? Was it a lack of promotion by the artist, or was it that Nadie and her team were not being aggressive enough with the radio stations? We must not let gems like this one fade so quickly; instead, we must release the next best thing by a champion artist!
Maybe we need to "tune up" the way we look at, appreciate, and consume music. We need to address the challenge of ensuring that really good music/songs like "Coffee" receive the recognition they deserve. What can be done? I asked around and searched online for ideas, and here are a few that caught my attention:
- Support Local Artists Year-Round: Carnival shouldn't be the only moment to champion our soca stars. Let’s build platforms that celebrate their creativity beyond the seasonal hype.
- Demand Variety: As listeners, we can encourage radio stations and DJs to diversify their playlists. There’s room for both high-energy anthems and soulful masterpieces.
- Leverage Social Media: Share, like, and stream the songs you love. Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful tools for amplifying excellent music.
While "Coffee" may be just a memory for Carnival 2025, it does not have to be that way for the rest of the year; the song is sweet and still relevant. Do you drink coffee? Many of us enjoy coffee in the mornings, don't we? Please consider sharing the song link with your colleagues to brighten their day as they enjoy their morning coffee. Don't allow excellent music to fade away just like that. We at Sokah2Soca recommend streaming "Coffee" today—let's transform it into the anthem it deserves to be.
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online through social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Coffee
Written by: Nadia Batson
Artist/Performed by: Nadia Batson
Produced by: Papo Productions
Featured Roadmix by: Madness MUV
Directed By: One Eyed Perspective
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca
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 music player button below to listen now (a small triangle in the music player/TV frame).
DJ TremorJayy Radio Vol 7: Episode 2 - Mixing Magic with Seamless Vybes
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
March 22, 2025
Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
It's here, people, and today we invite you to immerse yourselves in TremorJayy's musical world, where beats collide and our Caribbean culture merges. If you like to dance and vibe to some sweet Caribbean sounds, then this electrifying mix titled "DJ TremorJayy Radio Vol. 7: Episode 2 is the one you need to take you on your musical journey.
Sokah2Soca previously featured Vol. 7 Episode 1, and people loved it. At Sokah2Soca, we continuously celebrate Caribbean music and culture. We take pride in setting the standard for the music that fans adore, particularly when it comes to excellent music mixes. This young DJ's signature style combines diverse rhythms into a beautiful and signature audio experience. It does not matter if it is Soca and its subgenres, Dancehall, Bouyon, Dennery Segment, Aftrobeats, or other music genres. TremorJayy knows how to pick them and blend tracks, creating an unforgettable listening vibe and something worthy of experiencing.
Full disclosure here: while we praise his work, it is not simply because he is affiliated with Island Vybe Philly Radio and Sokah2Soca. His ability to deliver a quality product is what makes him stand out, and we are proud to be affiliated with him. Now, while Island Vybe Philly Radio is known for bringing the vibrant energy of our Caribbean culture, Sokah2Soca highlights the brand, the people, and the music that make the industry the powerhouse it is becoming. It has been a long road, but with the efforts of DJs like TremorJayy, the journey, though bumpy at times, is on the right path to world recognition.
TremorJayy's music reaches a global audience on Island Vybe Radio, allowing fans of Sokah2Soca to revisit the vibe on the blog. He not only has fans in Philadelphia, but he is also a known DJ personality in the Newark, NJ, and Delaware markets. This versatile DJ can connect to diverse communities but is beloved in the Caribbean communities of these areas. His musical ability stands out in these areas, and he will continue to grow and groove with sweet music wherever he touches down.
This musical episode establishes TremorJayy as one of the DJs who can mix for the moment and deliver a sound that has people in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Delaware loving his vibe. TremorJayy fulfills all the requirements, and we encourage you to stay tuned for more excellent music mixes from this talented young individual.
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online through social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Mixtape Title: TremorJayy Radio: Volume 7
Curated and Mixed by: DJ TremorJayy
Origin: NJ/DE, USA
Genre: Soca
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 music player button below to listen now (a small triangle in the music player/TV frame).
Travel Back to 1976: Shadow’s "The Flip Side of Shadow" & the Magic of "Way Way Out"
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
March 22, 2025
Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
Let's travel back to 1976, when Shadow music was the buzz of the town. The incomparable Shadow created a brand of unique music that was so special. While the people of Trinidad and Tobago were mesmerized with his unusual style, he wanted everyone to know and experience a different side of his musical wizardry and, most of all, his songwriting skill. He went to work and gave us an album titled "The Flip Side of Shadow." The album included the following songs:
- My Mind Has Changed
- You Have Nothing
- Agatha
- Pretty Butterfly
- Happiness
- We Live To Die
- Lonely Man
- Way Way Out
- Story Of Life
- Mother Wisdom
While the album delivers many memorable songs, we chose to feature "Way Way Out" today. We did so because I was listening to WACK Visual Radio, and host/Soca artist Tony Prescott dropped this musical gem. It is a beautifully written song and one that should end up on your playlist. After listening to the song, do you think that he was correct with his pronouncement for the album: "Am I sweet or what?"
As we move forward, it surely feels good looking back, listening to one of the best Trinidad and Tobago gave to the world, "The Shadow." His unique blend of storytelling and infectious rhythms showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean. As we celebrate such artistry, let’s remember the impact of music as a universal language that connects us all.
Our YouTube player below features three versions of the song. The difference is the music; Shadow sounds the same, but the music is a little different. One version is by Art DeCoteau. Can you guess who did the other versions? While you're at it, tell us which version you like best. Personally, I prefer the mid-speed version, which is song number two on the player. Regardless, Shadow gave us some really sweet music... everything is special and loved.
Let us promote the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Our mission is to advance music producers, performers, and Caribbean culture. Your support helps us celebrate and elevate the vibrant sounds and stories of the Caribbean. We can all work together to make sure that this rich cultural legacy continues to inspire creativity and connection while reaching a larger audience. You should always purchase music for sale but refrain from sharing promotional music, as it deprives the artists, producers, and songwriters of vital income. Please note that all our posts can be accessed online via social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Way Way Out
Artist/Performed by: Shadow
Real Name: Winston Bailey
Written by: Winston Bailey
Music Arranged by: Art DeCoteau
Record Label: Charlies
Year: 1976
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Calypso
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 music player button below to listen now (a small triangle in the music player/TV frame).
