Early Carnival Drop “Friendship” Faces the Realities of Trini Airplay
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
September 26, 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.
It is Friday and a good time to release new music for the weekend. Today we feature a well-known but often overlooked artist, Devon George. He is back with a vibrant new track titled Friendship, a feel-good Soca release that would, hopefully, stir emotions for carnival 2026. Written by Anthony Devon George, produced by Devon himself, and engineered by Shawn Jackie, this early drop blends upbeat rhythms with a message that’s all about connection and celebration.
Apart from this featured post, the song is on our new music playlist on YouTube, where the infectious groove and polished production shine through. It’s a track that feels tailor-made for liming with friends, even if radio rotation in Trinidad and Tobago remains uncertain. Unless you are well known to radio jocks and management in Trinidad and Tobago, it will be an uncertain road to get on rotation!
Will it even get on the airwaves? It is uncertain whether music will be played on the radio in Trinidad, as the reality of radio there is quite unpredictable regarding music selection. Our best guess? Maybe not. But in a digital-first world, Devon’s real challenge—and opportunity—lies in social media. If your song lights up social media, listeners won't have a choice but to engage if they want to remain relevant. With the right push, "Friendship" could find its tribe online, especially among his "beautiful friends" and Soca fans looking for fresh vibes.
Devon’s got a solid foundation with Friendship. Now it’s all about momentum. Devon will have to lean on his friends and 'friendship' to ensure that this song creates a buzz that goes beyond the challenges of SEO clicks online. Radio promotion will require good luck, along with many phone calls and connections to be effective. Good luck, Devon.
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 via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, 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: Friendship
Artist/Performed by: Devon George
Written by: Anthony Devon George
Produced by: Devon George
Mix and mastered by Shawn Jackie
Guitar—Shiva Ramdass
Background Vocals by-Felicia Roberts
Executive Producer—Anthony Devon George
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca ?
?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 Thrive!
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.
Miami Gets the Freaze: IslandVybe’s Djaay Freaze Enters Viva Carnival’s Next Up
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
September 26, 2025
Dive deeper into Caribbean music and culture at Sokah2Soca—your go-to source for Soca, Calypso, and Carnival coverage. First published on Sokah2Soca, now streaming live via Island Vybe Radio.
Today, I’m proud to announce another IslandVybe Radio DJ stepping into the Viva Next Up Miami competition. The heat is rising, and this time it’s Djaay Freaze—loaded with energy and ready to unleash musical mayhem. Alongside TremorJayy, he’s representing the IslandVybe family on one of the biggest stages of this Carnival season.
Miami, get ready for Philly's ones-and-twos magic. Are you ready for this?
The magic of Viva Next Up unfolds on Saturday, October 11. For those who don’t know, this isn’t just a DJ showcase—it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and the selectors who keep Carnival’s heartbeat alive. It’s tropical music madness and fusion-style mixes that the diaspora embraces.
? Listen to Djaay Freaze’s mixtape entry—it captures the essence of Caribbean culture and carries the spirit of the islands. This is what Miami Carnival is all about. You’re about to experience IslandVybe Radio mayhem with two powerful entrants.
Remember his name: Djaay Freaze is coming with the spirit of his ancestors on his shoulders. This won’t be just music—it’s movement, memory, and magic.
As the competition heats up, now’s the time to rally behind our IslandVybe DJs. Stream Djaay Freaze’s mixtape, share it with your crew, and let the world know: the IslandVybe sound isn’t just next up—it’s now.
Let’s show Miami what unity, rhythm, and Caribbean pride really sound like.
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 via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, 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:
Event: Viva Next Up: Miami
Who: Digital Entertainment
Curated and mixed by: Djaay Freaze
Origin: Philadelphia, USA
Genre: Soca ?
?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 Thrive!
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.
Welcome Back to the Bacchanal: Mr Lee Welcomes Carnival 2026
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
September 26, 2025
Dive deeper into Caribbean music and culture at Sokah2Soca—your go-to source for Soca, Calypso, and Carnival coverage. First published on Sokah2Soca, now streaming live via Island Vybe Radio.
Sokah2Soca is officially on high alert—Carnival 2026 is calling, and Mr. Lee just answered with a tune that feels like a sunrise over the Savannah: warm, electric, and full of promise. Mr. Lee's vocals are vibrant and capture the spirit of Carnival. Welcome back to Trinidad, welcome back to Carnival”—that’s not just a lyric. That’s a heartbeat. A rallying cry. A love letter to the greatest street fête on Earth. The songwriting team of Joseph "Pronto" Figueroa and Tyro "Mr. Lee" Matthews managed to lyrically capture the vibe of the people for carnival with this composition... we applaud this.
Mr. Lee’s latest release, aptly titled “Welcome Back,” is a sonic homecoming. It’s Carnival time again, and while Tobago will showcase its excitement later this year, this track specifically highlights Trinidad’s glorious return to full Carnival form in 2026. The energy? Instant. The vibe? Irresistible. The runtime? Just under three minutes—but it leaves you wanting more. A DJ extended mix isn’t just recommended—it’s necessary.
This isn’t just a song—it’s a declaration. Carnival is not a season. It’s a spirit. And Mr. Lee just lit the first match. We absolutely feel this song; the vocals, music, and songwriting skills paint a picture that all Caribbean people can appreciate.
This song brings a vibe and the feeling that Carnival is here at last. Let the rhythm rise. Let the people say, "Welcome back."
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 via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, 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: Welcome Back
Artist/Performed by: Mr Lee
Written & Composed by: Joseph "Pronto" Figueroa and Tyro "Mr. Lee" Matthews
Produced by: Joseph "Pronto" Figueroa
Additional Production by: Khadeem Edwards
Recorded at: Pirate Studios NYC™
Mixed & mastered by: Trypp Records®
Label: Trypp Records®
Publisher: Songtrust, NY
All rights reserved © 2025 Tyro Matthews and Trypp Records®
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca ?
? 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 Thrive!
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.
GVON Wants His “Own Way”—But Carnival Might Have Other Plans
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
September 26, 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.
Relationships and Carnival? A complicated mix. And GVON’s latest release, “Own Way,” dives straight into that tension with a familiar groove, a message that’s real, and a vibe that’s unapologetically personal.
In the track, GVON lays it out: he’s a loner, a major player, and he likes to move on his terms. But his significant other? She’s got her own vision of what love should look like. That push-pull dynamic is the heartbeat of “Own Way”—and it mirrors the emotional tug-of-war many couples face during Carnival season. Love vs. freedom. Commitment vs. fate.
This is a production of Richard Gosine of Golden Era Production; the song was written by Emmanuel Rudder and mixed and mastered by N.M.G. Music. We applaud their efforts and early release of this song.
Musically, “Own Way” rides the wave of a typical Carnival groove—easy to move to, but not quite explosive. The vocals don’t light up the track, and there’s no standout hook that demands a rewind. But let’s be fair: it’s early. With the right push, this song could simmer into something more memorable. Carnival is a marathon, not a sprint—and GVON’s timing is smart. This is GVON's opportunity to get an early shine for those seeking new music for Carnival 2026. It is the ideal time to release, as the industry awaits the known and established heavyweights of Soca to release their new music.
If you are a West Indian who is immersed in our culture, then listening to this song is like hearing a story that was told long ago. With mouths open, the story emerges: it is about the freedom to 'play yourself for carnival without repercussions,' but that notion no longer holds true today! Indeed, the song serves as a snapshot of our culture, while soca music acts as the soundtrack that conveys this story. Will it be about love and caring or liberation and freedom, or just loss?
GVON’s message is clear: he’s not changing for anyone. But the rhythm of Carnival could change how we hear him.
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 via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, 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: Own Way
Artist/Performed by: GVON
Written by: Emmanuel Rudder
Produced by: Richard Gosine of Golden Era Productions
Mixed and Mastered by: NMG
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca ?
?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 Thrive!
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.
