SOCA POP DUNG
to be read as SOCA gone POP… SOCA POP DOWN… or SOCA as POP is DUNG! i wasnt sure what ti title this one as… off we go…
was prompted to write this after a status update on facebook led me to answer that SOCA has always been POPular to us and the Caribbean Diaspora at large… i immediately went to the best resource known to mankind… wikipedia… and searched for POP music… guess what i found… ok i’ll share it… We’ve been singing POP all these years…
The terms popular music and pop music are often used interchangeably, even though the former is a description of any form of music which is popular (and can include any genre), whilst the latter is a specific genre of music which has qualities which would make it appealing to a large audience.[1] Pop music, as a genre, is very eclectic, often borrowing elements from other styles throughout its course such as urban, dance, rock, Latin and country,[1] yet there are core elements which define it. Such include generally short-to-medium length songs, written in a basic format which is often the verse-chorus structure, which generally make usage of repeated choruses, have a melodic sound, and have catchy hooks.[1] So-called “pure pop” music, such as power pop, features all these elements, and for instrumentation uses electric guitars, drums and a bass;[1] in the case of such music, the main goal is usually that of being pleasurable to listen to, rather than having much artistic depth.[1] Pop music is generally thought of as a genre which is commercially recorded and desires to appeal to a mass audience.[1]
looking at this through my myopic view… its spot on… now what folk really want to say isnt about the musical structure but how it sounds… it sounds different… different to what we were accustomed to… it is no longer the Pla-Ka-Tikki Pla-Ka-Tikki of decades ago… decades ago when DISCO was in and a seven minute song was normal and somewhat POPular…
i’m no researcher or scientist so i just rant off the top of my head… most of the complainers of the new sound are the same folk who would readily jump to a Rihanna instead of give Denise Belfon the benefit of the doubt, when she performs her decade old routine, at one of the first fetes of the season… why… coz RiRi does mix it up… i think the people dem frighten of what could happen if SOCA becomes POPular to more than a Caribbean Diaspora…
is it that they fear losing their stars and idols for Carnival… the single most important thing for many a Trini.. so some say…
so until next time take no offence when i say islandPOOP… i only refer to the real mess choonz in that manner… not everything from any one studio/producer/artiste falls into that category… hopefully… allyuh enjoy the music and stop trying to create divisions when at this point in time UNiTY is what is needed… its an industry allyuh trying to build… i may assist from time to time… coz i see opportunity within it for what i like to do…
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COSMIC SHIFT

Cosmic Riddim - J-Rod Records
i am impatiently waiting for it to appear in my inbox so i could make my lil riddiMIX…
on that note i am pleased to see one of the minds behind the Cosmic Riddim get a lil write up in the papers… go Jarrod… no not the Subway dude… this is the man behind JRod Records… yeah the 2nd Chances, Life Lessons and the BarCode Riddims… i glad he say it and that it in print… i eh no producer so my rants are usually limited to the 50 folk who subscribe to this blog… thanks to you all… here is what J-Rod had to say…
“If you look on the Internet right now, you will see soca listed under world music. That has to change. We need to see soca standing on its own.” Touching on the current rift in the local industry with some artistes complaining of unfair airplay, Faria says “there is no real proof” that a “soca mafia” exists. “It’s such a saturated market that it really just boils down to the work you put in and the relationships you build,” he reasoned. And in an industry where an artiste can be “in today and out tomorrow,” the QRC graduate believes that it’s also necessary for aspiring soca stars to take advantage of all avenues available in this technological era. “When you look at it, all the big acts have a Facebook and Twitter page. New artistes need to put in the ground-work and market themselves,” he advised. “It’s a very competitive industry and I don’t think anybody can deny that.”
Jarrod’s taking soca to the world One beat at a time
Published: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Cherisse Moe
some say that it is Cosmic Shift… like you eh listen to Garlin intro… i do say islandPOOP at times… only coz i doh like the genre separation… music is music… strength and powers to you and all associated bredren…
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SOCA Monarch SemiFinalists 2012
With over 400 submissions, the Soca Monarch judging panel have declared that the names listed below are to move on the Semi final round of the International Soca Monarch competition.
The Semi finals will be held at the Arima Velodrome on Sunday January 29th 2012…. same day as PREStige
Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch Semi-finalists:
- Anthony Hendrickson (All Rounder)
- Darryl Henry (Farmer Nappy)
- Destra Garcia
- Dexter Stweart (Blaxx)
- Dwayne Arthur (Skhi)
- Erphan Alves
- Gamal Doyle (Skinny Fabulous)
- Jardine Legere (Jadel)
- Jason Williams & Ancil Isaac (JW & Blaze)
- Kenneth Richards (K Rich)
- Kerwin Du Bois
- Khori Francis (Ziggy Rankin)
- Kimba Sorzano (Kimba)
- Kris Persad (KI)
- Laurence Gonzales (Mr. Renzo)
- Lima Calbio
- Machel Montano
- Nadia Batson
- Patrice Roberts
- Roderick Gordon (Chucky)
- Rodney Le Blanc (Benjai)
- Shivonne Churche (Lil Bitts)
- Shurwayne Winchester
- Shal Marshall
- Terri Lyons
- Terrin Callender (Super Jigga TC)
- Winston Henry (Explainer)
Digicel International Power Soca Monarch Semi-finalists:
- Adrian Hackshaw (Third Bass)
- Denise Belfon
- Destra Garcia
- Devon Samuel (Prophet Benjamin)
- Dexter Stewart (Blaxx)
- Erphan Alves
- Gary Cordner
- Jason Williams & Ancil Isaac (JW & Blaze)
- Joel Feveck (Zan)
- Kerwin Du Bois
- Laurence Jack (Coyaba / St. Vincent & the Grenadines)
- Marvin Davis (Swappi)
- Megan Waldron
- Michelle Xavier (Michelle X)
- Nadia Batson
- Neil ‘Iwer’ George
- Olatunji Yearwood
- Patrice Roberts
- Prestan Andries (Prestan)
- Problem Child & Talpree
- Shurwayne Winchester
- Shal Marshall
- Tony Prescott (Tony P)
- Victor St. Louis (Pelf)
- Wesley Hoyte (C’Donia)
- Winston Bailey (Shadow)
the way things shaping up @intlsocamonarch is the new Dimanche Gras... artistes singing 2 choon fuh d night... POWER and Groovy #Trinidad
—
SanMan Bandi (@SanMan_ish) January 14, 2012Related articles
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Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann opt out of SOCA Monarch
TO ALL ASYLUM FANS
No Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons in Soca Monarch this year…
This year their focus and objectives for carnival are a little different as is evident in the music. They recognize that Soca Monarch has done quite a lot for their careers and the careers of artistes on a whole and that William Munroe must be commended for all that he has done. Look out for Bunji Fay-Ann and the Asylum band at Girl Power on Fantastic Friday.

Thats what was posted to the Asylum Family facebook wall. Not once but Twice… over a 100 shares/likes/comments within minutes… i just had to laugh at some of the comments… especially the negative ones… constant reminder why this ROCK doesnt move forward and that i too am a crab in a barrel…
This also comes on the heels of Ravi B not entering the Chutney SOCA Monarch competition… totally unrelated to the bottle throwing incident last year… (crab in a barrel)…
some of the comments
Glad you all made dis decsion. After years of the same criteria as soon as MM said he is entering 15% of the pts is directed to texts via votes….making it a popularity competition…won’t there a separate people’s choice before? And opening voting from 8 am wen not one artiste hit the stage yet?? How on earth a young artise cud win a competion with such rules?. Clearly politrix!! Everyone knows HD’s popularity outside T&T is bigger than everyone else..in fact muro himself stated MM got more votes than any other…especially from foreign voters. The competition is already a tight one allowing 15% of the total pts based on voting will never allow young upcoming artiste whether they have the better song..or perform the best on the night to win. Bdw I highly doubt they didnt enter becus of HD because he’s not the first to defeat Garlin and Fayann in SM..Shurwayne, Iwer etc did it b4. It’s becus the competition is f’d up…say it as it is Asylum!
if Fay Ann and Bunji with god given personality and talent who have individually and between them a body of work that stands the test of time, catching gripe over the one hit wonders JW and Blaze, then I will eat my hat the big sombrero I buy in mexico city….steups
You will be missed but sometimes perspective changes on reflection. I believe you both would return. Ever since Bunji was in the green ras singing about Bras, he loved that stage and that competition so I expect a glorious return when the time is right. As for Munroe…….hold a burn!!!!!!! Easily the worst promoter ever. I am tired of wasting my VVIP funds on his…….
why bro??we depend on you to represent the grassroots every single year,you are the people’s voice and you are the people’s choice…think it over..
this show lack of commitment to the art form, one good cut arse and you all running,we know it hard to beat Mr Fete ,but at least try !!!! the vybez cant done!!!
you said it …. and the best toting couple goes to …….
i was backing u all for this,stuepsssssssss and when there is cheating like that high-class bullshit that happen last year,i eh give allyuh wrong nah,dey too blasted thief..i backing IWER full hundred now…..
This is the smartest thing they can do for themselves and their career.. #hadnochance
Bunji and Fayann wants to win all the time and dont want too give some else a chance since the JW and Blaze win that yr they change cant stand radio boys beat them
this one is from a seriously crazed facebooker… totally confusing
I always thought the criteria of entering Soca Monarch should be changed. WE are the ones paying to see the artistes perform fete after fete (no pun intended), supporting their music. It should be mandatory that all songs are eligible and a committee then votes to narrow it down. How can a competition that boasts to be the best of its type be “optional” for some of the best artistes?! Rubbish!
and finally
It’s the beginning of the end of soca monarch as we know it…….
hopefully that is right! allyuh done know my views on the policies of SOCA Monarch…
^_^ they calling me RUNAWAY
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