Image via YouTube music video © Boogy Ranks/Yung Bredda. After rising to fame with the hit "The Greatest Bend Over," Yung Bredda's latest release, "No Stress," produced by Boogy Ranks and co-written by Yung Bredda and Fresh Ting, has raised some eyebrows. While the song may resonate with the young crowd, the need to label it with a parental advisory label makes it a questionable choice for radio play.   In a time when youth are often scrutinized, Yung Bredda had a golden opportunity to capitalize on his newfound notoriety with a more radio-friendly track. Instead, "No Stress" seems ..read more

Time and time again we have heard the statement, "Calypso is the voice of the people." This sentiment is particularly relevant when Calypso serves as the central focus of our Carnival festivities. Despite Soca's current dominance, the collective voice of the people can still resonate deeply. Even better is when the beat encapsulates that message, inspiring you to dance instead of simply listening. Today, we present to you an electrifying new track that does just that. Chuck Gordon is back with his latest release, "Look Tuh Press." Always pay attention to those who have previously won the ..read more

Image via YouTube music video © MillBeatz/M1. Get ready to ignite your carnival spirit! The newly released Soca single titled "Paint D Town" by the talented M1 is here to set the perfect tone for J'Ouvert morning vibes.  "J'ouvert morning in town; look, we're coming down. We go paint d town, paint d town with color! Mud, paint, and powder, and most of all, in a good way, no behavior!" Sherwin Jeremiah (M1) and Richie “Bones” Nelson, the dynamic duo, capture the essence of J'Ouvert in their vibrant anthem. J'ouvert morning is a magical morning for carnival revelers, often seen as t ..read more

Image via Pan Trinbago's Facebook page © Pan Trinbago/Alpha Pan Pioneers.  The rhythmic heartbeats of steel pans filled the air with infectious energy as the Alpha Pan Pioneers delivered a stellar performance of the classic song "Sweet Soca Man" by the legendary Timothy "Baron" Watkins. The arrangement, masterfully crafted by Ojay Richards, transformed an already beloved tune into a spectacular display of musical prowess and showmanship. From the first note, the band captivated the audience, including the discerning judges, with their precise timing and harmonious melodies. Each pan p ..read more

Image via Pan Trinbago's Facebook page © Pan Trinbago/Uptown Fascinators.  The Uptown Fascinators Steel Orchestra played a classic, and sweet, calypso at Pan Trinbago's 2025 Small Conventional Bands Preliminaries. It was an electrifying rendition of Timothy "Baron" Watkins' 1986 classic, "Sweet Soca Man." The talented Ojay Richards arranged the performance, which the fans who came out to support their hometown band appreciated. The rich and joyful timbre of the steelpans filled the air, transporting the audience to a world of rhythm and melody. The band's precise execution and infe ..read more

Image via Pan Trinbago's Facebook Page © Pan Trinibago/West Side Symphony Steel Orchestra. We had to wait for Pan Trinbago to post this to appreciate its sweetness. We were unable to share a recording of the performance today due to poor Internet bandwidth. We must admit, this performance was truly enjoyable. There was something so sweet about this rendition, and whether or not the judges grade this performance excellently enough to make it to the next round of competition, we consider this a mesmerizing evening with the West Side Symphony Steel Orchestra. Indeed, it was a triumph with DeFos ..read more

Image via YouTube music video © Millbeatz/Swappi.  There are instances in musical history where songs make a lasting impact, often for unfavorable reasons. The recently released song "Bananna" by Marvin “Swappi” Davis and Emmanuel Rudder fits squarely into the latter category. As enthusiasts of Soca music, we know and appreciate the vibrant culture and energetic rhythm that define the genre. However, "Banana" strays far from what we expect and desire. The lyrics in "Bananna" force us to ask: What were they thinking? Rather than offering lyrics that inspire or amuse, "Bananna" leaves ..read more

Image from Pan Trinbago's Facebook page Live Performance Southern Stars Steel Orchestra. The Pan Trinbago's Small Conventional Bands Preliminaries saw many vibrant and compelling performances, with Southern Stars Steel Orchestra being one of the most anticipated bands of the event. Under the seasoned direction of Duvone Stewart, renowned as one of the most talented arrangers in the steel pan world today, the Southern Stars had set high expectations. Despite the audience's positive response to their performance, there were mixed emotions on this side of the monitor. On one hand, Stewart's a ..read more

Image via Pan Trinbago Facebook Page © Pan Trinbago/C&B Crown Cordaans Steel Orchestra.   The C&C Crown Cordaans brought the vibes and energy to the Tobago leg of Pan Trinbago’s Small Conventional Band Preliminaries 2025 with a fan-favorite rendition of Farmer Nappy’s hit song "How Ah Livin'," beautifully arranged by Shaquille Broomes and Peter Clarke. The band delivered an electrifying performance, which enthralled the crowd and left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. Their infectious energy and impeccable musicality made for a performance to remember. As the com ..read more

Image via Pan Trinbago's Facebook page live © Pan Trinbago/Plymouth Bethseda Steel Sensation. The vibrant sounds of Plymouth Bethesda Steel Sensation echoed through their panyard as they delivered an electrifying performance at the Tobago leg of Pan Trinbago’s Small Conventional Bands Preliminaries 2025. Their song of choice was the iconic "Iron Man" by Lord Kitchener, skillfully arranged by Kymani Sandy. The band played with incredible energy, captivating the audience and judges alike with their synchronized rhythms and dynamic stage presence. It's clear that their hard work and dedicat ..read more