FEEL THE
ISLAND
VYBE

 

Tell your friends that today is the day! The Parade of the Bands is live from Tobago—a kaleidoscope of color, culture, and pure Carnival joy! Masqueraders are palancing (dancing and pure merriment on the streets) in costumes that kiss the sunshine and shimmer in every shade of the rainbow. The vibes? Soca music, along with some surprising Latin rhythms, creates a euphoric atmosphere. The artistry? The art is unrivaled; it embodies 'we culture,' the Caribbean's finest. 

 

 

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/.

 

Some songs hit you before you even know why. “How” by HashimThaDream is one of those tracks. "How" is produced by KVG and Trini-Baby, and it grabs you from the very first kick of the drum kit, delivering authentic Soca vibes. 

 

HashimThaDream glides across the rhythm like a seasoned vet, delivering vocals that feel effortless yet emotionally charged. The lyrics? They sneak up on you. You’re vibing, then suddenly asking yourself, “How did I end up here?” The lyrics leave you captivated, confused, and perhaps even intoxicated. It’s a relatable spiral, wrapped in melody and groove. You heard the saying, "Don't drink and drive," but for this scenario it becomes, "Don't drink too much when Feting!"

Trini-Baby's production, engineering, and background vocals elevate the track's texture. KVG brings the heat, and Kyle Peters—yes, again!—lays down both lead guitar and bass. Does this man ever sleep?

Written by Bjorn Graham and Hashim Lewis, “How” is more than a question—it’s a mood. A Carnival keeper. A first-play catch. "One for the road."

I have the utmost respect for the entire team. If you’re curating your 2026 playlist, don’t sleep on this one.

 

This morning on Macobook (yes, Facebook), I came across a post by Kyle Phillips of Precision Productions promoting his latest work: "Dey For You," sung by Marq Pierre and produced by Badjohn Republic. The name of the song immediately caught my attention—not because of the music (which is excellent, by the way), but because of the title.

 

Let me explain.

"Dey For You" showcases Trinidadian artistry at its finest. The production is polished, the vocals are heartfelt, and the mix is top-tier. But the title—rooted in Trini lingo—raises questions about its global accessibility. “Dey,” meaning “there,” is a beautiful nod to our dialect and culture. Caribbean people are proud of our sound, our slang, and our vibe. As we say in the islands, "iz we ting."

 

Still, if Soca is going global, we need to think beyond our borders. Foreign audiences unfamiliar with our dialect might not grasp the emotional weight behind “Dey.” That’s my concern. The issue isn’t the music or the message—it’s the packaging. "Dey For You" carries the heart of Trini culture, no doubt. But if we’re serious about taking Soca to the next level, we have to consider how that culture is presented to the world. A song’s title is more than a label—it’s the first invitation to connect. And while “dey” speaks to us, it might not speak to everyone. Strategic naming could be the bridge between local pride and global reach.

 

Every year we hear the same call: make Soca go global. Yet the genre is still lumped under reggae or world music on most charts. If we want Grammy nominations and international recognition, we need to be intentional. A title like "There for You" or even "Dey (There) for You" could preserve the cultural essence while widening the song’s reach.

 

Some want to stay grounded while others want to move on to bigger things, so here is the question: Should Soca evolve for international audiences or remain unapologetically Caribbean? "Dey For You" is a celebration of identity—but it also invites reflection on how language shapes music’s journey across borders.

 

Like a familiar echo in the industry, I often hear, “Stay in your lane,” or, “What do you know about music?” I’ve heard it all before. But like most listeners, I feel the vibe and appreciate good music. If we truly want Soca to grow, we need to have these conversations. We need strategy. We need vision. "Dey For You"