Soca Meets Steel: Siparia Deltones Bring ‘I’m Not Drunk’ to Panorama's Frontline
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
August 10, 2025
The content was first published 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!
First Soca Played for Panorama #2
When I considered making this post, I had no clue about the song, band, arranger, or year it took place. What did I do? I called Kenny, aka KP (Kenny Phillips of KMP Music), and he gave me "I'm Not Drunk," by KMC, arranged by Zanda. To be honest, Kenny thinks this is the right song, band, and arranger. Is that really the case? Soca started around 1973; is it possible that it took 36 years before the first Soca song was played at Panorama? Should you have a different perspective, please refer to the following paragraph.
CHALLENGE US:
What Was the First Soca Tune Ever Played in Panorama? Before we dive into this piece, we’re inviting you to question the history and challenge our proposal. Like you, we want to get the information right. Indeed, this presentation marks the start of an exciting journey. We are fishing for relevant information; let's make history together!
Do YOU know what the first Soca song ever played by a steelband in Panorama was? We’re making our case for “I’m Not Drunk” by KMC, arranged by Carlton “Zanda” Alexander for Siparia Deltones in 2009. But Sokah2Soca is built on conversation, not decree—so if you believe another tune came first, drop the title, name the band, and let’s reason. The panyard isn’t just for practice—it’s for passion and provocation, too.
When Soca exploded onto Trinidad’s music scene in 1973, thanks to the genius of Lord Shorty, it was a celebration of fusion—Calypso’s heart with East Indian rhythm, designed to make waistlines move and speakers tremble. Yet, for decades, Panorama remained the domain of Calypso alone. Soca was viewed as too raw, too road-ready, and too rebellious to fit the orchestral standards of steelpan music.
That myth unraveled in 2009, when Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra shook the competition with a bold choice: “I’m Not Drunk” by Ken Marlon Charles (KMC). Their arranger? Carlton "Zanda" Alexander, a jazz-schooled maestro, orchestrated a cheeky party anthem into a musically rich Panorama piece, brimming with key shifts, rhythmic interplay, and harmonic twists.
It was not just steelpan meeting Soca—it was steelpan respecting it. The judges gave Deltones 7th place with 450.5 points, but the cultural impact was louder than any score sheet.
For the first time, Soca wasn’t just sampled or hinted at—it was fully embraced. “I’m Not Drunk” became the genre’s formal entry into Panorama history. Now what do you think about that? That was your historical moment; make sure to note it for future discussions about Soca and Steelband!
So, loyal fans of Soca, what do you think? Was “I’m Not Drunk” really the first, or does your musical memory offer another contender? Hit us with your picks, your passion, and your proof—let’s keep the debate as lively as the Savannah stage itself.
Send in your information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.:
Song: Name of Song
Band: Name of Steelband
Arranger: Arranged by
Year: What Year?
Addendum 07/24/2025:
We have a new song/band/post coming for a Soca song played by Skiffle in 1995. The song, played by Skiffle, is from an earlier date than the song on this post.
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: I'm Not Drunk
Singer/Performed by: KMC (Ken Marlon Charles)
Steelband: Siparia Deltones
Arranger: Clive 'Zander' Alexander
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca/Steelband ?
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
? Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but on a daily basis.
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/.
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Top: I'm Not Drunk by KMC Bottom: I'm Not Drunk by Siparia Deltones
In Search of Soca's First Echo on the Panorama Stage: Soca on the Steelpan
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
August 10, 2025
The content was first published 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!
First Soca Played for Panorama #1
Calling All Soca and Steelband Historians—Let’s Set the Record Straight! Help Us Find Panorama’s Original Soca Tune. We are on a mission to solve this mystery, but first we must tell you that we have already written a post about the first song we think was played for the Panorama competition. After a discussion with my Kulture Krazy Encyclopedia, Mr. Kenny Phillips, we have a song, a steel band, and an arranger that we believe was the first to play Soca for Panorama. We may be wrong, but we will post it next. If we get it wrong and you help with the facts, then we all win!
We framed some questions below; please send in your information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.:
- The name of the song?
- What is the name of the steelband that played it?
- Who produced the song/Riddim?
- The arranger for the Steelband
- The year it was performed?
This is more than trivia—it’s a chance to honor pioneers who fused steel and Soca to forever shift Carnival’s soundscape. Whether you lived it, studied it, or just love a good musical mystery… drop your knowledge in the comments or tag someone who might know
Let's acknowledge and honor the origins of our rhythm! We will wait to see if your responses pan out with our thinking. Having said that, we promise to share our post with our fans and if we get it wrong, we won't pretend otherwise.
Now, since the song, band, and arranger are all unknown, we thought to add some spice to the discussion; you need some music, and we aptly selected "Unknown Band" by the then-"Blue Boy," now "Super Blue." No, we are not suggesting that this is the first Soca played by a steelband for Panorama. This is just a teaser!
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:
Title: Soca Soca played for Panorama
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca/Steelband ?
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
? Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but on a daily basis.
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.
Lucian Monarchs Reign Supreme: Groovy & Power Crowned in 2025
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
August 02, 2025
The content was first published 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!
No, we didn’t forget—just running fashionably late on the Lucian vibes! The glitter’s settled and the speakers have cooled, but at Sokah2Soca, it’s never too late to honor brilliance. Saint Lucia’s Soca Monarch competition blazed through Carnival 2025, and even if our recap’s taken the scenic route, the culture, the fans, and the artistry deserve an encore.
Saint Lucia's Carnival 2025 intensified at the SAB in Vigie on July 11th, with 20 artists vying for the coveted Groovy and Power Soca Monarch crowns. The energy was electric. The performances? Unforgettable.
Imran Nerdy, the Groovy Soca Monarch, won the Groovy title and EC $40,000. Ricky T & Arthur Allain’s “Praises” followed closely, while Sly and Ti Blacks rounded out the top four with “Cyah Believe It” and “What is Mine,” respectively.
Power Soca Monarchs Dezral & Jardel revved up the crowd with “The Car,” clinching the Power Soca crown with 379 points. Ricky T & Hollywood HP’s “Freak Out” and Ezra D’FunMachine’s “Miserable” kept the adrenaline pumping, while Ti Blacks ft. Nerdy’s “We Di VIBE” brought the fire.
This year’s Monarchs didn’t just win titles—they delivered sonic experiences that captured the spirit of Lucian Carnival: bold, brilliant, and unapologetically Caribbean.
For full results and more Carnival 2025 coverage, visit carnivalsaintlucia.com. Sokah2Soca celebrates every artist who brought rhythm, resistance, and revelry to the stage. Let the music live on! ?
Groovy Soca Monarch 2025
- Warning You—Imran Nerdy
Power Soca Monarch 2025
- Dezral & Jardel—The Car
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:
Groovy and Power Soca Monarchs—Saint Lucia Carnival 2025
Origin: Saint Lucia
Genre: Soca
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
? Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but on a daily basis.
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.
“Hide Me” by Angeleau James – A Jab Anthem for Ducking for Spicemas 2025
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
August 02, 2025
The content was first published 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!
Carnival time is an opportunity for fun, a chance to release inhibitions, and, some may say, a moment for Jab mischief! The release of "Hide Me" for Grenada's Spicemas 2025 is a song that is sure to spark some cheeky banter. It is a song that will bring carnival flavor to the spirit—and one of the songs among the early sparks igniting the flames of jab culture. Angeleau James, the artist who wrote and performed the track, brought it to life with the engineering finesse of Lighthouse Recordz (for production, mixing, and mastering) and Vehement Productions (for recording), making it less about lyrical poetry and more about rhythmic provocation. Let's just say this song will stir up some carnival commess!
Listening to the song, one would quickly discern that it is a minimalist chant with a maximalist mood vibe. Let’s not pretend “Hide Me” offers lyrical depth—it’s a looped, hypnotic invocation of the phrase “Hide Me,” repeated until it becomes both command and confession. But that’s precisely the point. In jab culture, repetition breeds release. The power of the song isn’t in what’s said—it’s in what’s felt. The riddim alone promises to send masqueraders into controlled chaos, as mud, oil, and powder merge into one pulsating expression of Caribbean defiance. The question to be asked is, "What is he hiding from?" Is he in trouble because he did something wrong, or is he doing something wrong in carnival mode?
One can say that, like the song 'Ducking," this one is about hiding in plain sight—it's carnival camouflage as a cultural commentary about how we play during carnival season. The song’s cheeky theme—men ducking behind masks or just ducking not to be noticed behind bushes and bass riddims to escape the gaze of their watchful women—is nothing new. But what makes it carnival-worthy is how it dramatizes the tension between freedom and accountability and celebration and secrecy. To hide is to revel; to disappear is to truly arrive. And “Hide Me” taps directly into that ethos. ?
This song may become a favorite, similar to "Ducking!" With Spicemas’s roots entwined in rebellion and masquerade, this track could easily become a rallying cry. Not every song needs metaphor or message—sometimes it just needs madness. And as the trucks roll and jab crews swarm the streets, don’t be surprised if “Hide Me” becomes the soundtrack of those fleeting, oily disappearances. It’s messy. It’s mischievous. It’s pure Grenadian Carnival.
What say you—will “Hide Me” be this year’s unofficial anthem for escapists and bacchanalists alike? Or just another rhythm lost in the jab? Either way, Angeleau James has tossed his powder into the ring—and it’s looking flammable.
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: Hide Me
Artist/Performed by: Angeleau James
Written by: Angeleau James
Recorded at Vehement Productions
Produced by: Lighthouse Recordz
Mixed & Mastered by: Lighthouse Recordz
Visuals by: Kid Leo Productions
Origin: Grenada
Genre: Soca ?
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
? Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but on a daily basis.
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.
