The Caribbean Musical Melting Pot: The Rise and Rise of Soca

World Service Music Documentaries

Music from all over the Caribbean is gaining international recognition as it increasingly draws on influences from all around the world. In this first programme, Gemma Cairney looks at the new sounds of Soca in Trinidad and Barbados, which is a blend of both African and Trinidadian rhythms. It includes interviews with Bajan Soca queen Alison Hinds; Soca producers De Red Boyz; Salt, Bubbles & Nikita at Barbados station Slam 101FM; Bajan Spoken Word artist, DJ and cultural ambassador DJ Simmons; calypsonian Adonijah; Bristol-Trinidadian duo Jus Now and DJ Jillionaire from Major Lazer. The programme reveals how Soca has become integral to the Bajan economy – particularly the Crop Over Festival which Gemma visits.

(Photo: Gemma with locals in Bridgetown Barbados at Crop Over Festival)