Soca DJ’s Can Do Better!!!!
Soca DJ’s, in some or many Soca circles, have a bad reputation.
The common complaint that some Soca people have is they all sound the same. If tattoos, hair styles and fashion sense are expressions of individuality. The stereotype of the average Soca DJ is an example of the tyranny of conformity.
Almost like clockwork, (some, or most) Soca DJ’s, have an uncanny ability to play a set that sounds like the one before (and even after) it.
The flipside of the coin is Soca Artists. Throughout the year, Soca Artists are putting out heart felt music. That is evidence of national and regional pride. Some songs pay honor to the Soca man or woman. Others pay homage to Calypso and/or Soca legends of time past.
Trinidad’s Economic Challenges
Meanwhile all Soca artists, big and small, face the pressure to succeed, whilst in the public eye. You have Machel Montano, who always seems to receive his fair share of criticism from someone. Then you have the new reality of economic hardship, that has spilled over into effecting the 2026 Carnival season in several ways. With local Trinbagonian Artists, set to get, presumably less financial support than usual from the Trinidadian government.
All of which basically means, earning a living from Soca, especially for smaller artists, is harder than ever. Furthermore, the economic struggles facing T&T has a direct impact on some Trinis ability to afford all the feteing and revelling that they usually do.
Under normal circumstances, DJ’s underperforming would probably just equal, business as usual. However, given the quantity of issues facing Trinidad and by extension, Trini Carnival. Now, that same underperformance from Soca DJ’s would just make things even worse.
Soca People Are Accountable Too.
However, apart from some DJ’s, you know who else is to blame? Us. We the people, have watched Soca DJ, after Soca DJ, play snap and try to match each other’s set, year in and year out. At no point, have we directly voiced our displeasure with the copycat culture amongst some Soca DJ’s. If we were doing our part to let DJ’s know that they needed to do better, they would do better. We definitely share some of the guilt right along with the DJ’s themselves.
The truth is, Sokah Music is so powerful that an exceptional Soca set, always makes for an epic night. The flip side of so many Soca DJ’s sounding the same is, it conversely makes it easier for a Soca DJ to stand out from the pack. If a DJ decides to plan their set, like artists plan their albums. That is, to be a cohesive piece of work, that take people on an enjoyable, musical journey. Feters will notice – instantly!!!!
One exceptional set from a Soca DJ is all it takes for a fete to become memorable. As much as some Feters are gifted with riddim, dance moves, the ability to perform and whine. Those Feters can only shine so much, or soar but so high, if the DJ’s set is mediocre or unoriginal.
Furthermore, DJ’s are no charity case. They have no handicaps to explain any mediocrity they display. Plus, they are getting paid, oftentimes, well paid to make the night a success. In fact, the number one factor influencing the experience of attendees at Carnival and/or a Fete, is Soca DJ’s.
Anytime a reveller concedes that a Fete or Carnival was average, the first enquiry should be of the DJ’s performance. Now, admittedly, some people just like to hold up the wall. It is true that a lot of people at a party or Carnival, are simply there to make up the numbers. So, no DJ can be held accountable for these types of people. However, in the long run, even these types of people are no match for any Soca DJ that is devoted to playing sets that show their skills, music knowledge and creativity.
Any DJ that builds a reputation of quality and attention to detail, will soon find themselves: relevant, supported and celebrated because excellent DJ’s are treasured by Feters and Revellers alike.
In fact, anybody wanting to prove this theory need only ask a few questions. Firstly, would the next person consider themselves a serious Reveller/Feter? Secondly, ask who their favorite DJ’s are.
Chances are, if they said yes to the first question. They will be able to answer the second with ease. Again, this is because the relationship between DJ’s and Feters/Revellers, is symbiotic. Both parties need each other. Party goers need DJ’s to play an exceptional set so they can have a memorable night. Similarly, the ultimate sign of a successful DJ set, is the feedback they get from a crowd. When a DJ is doing well, the crowd will get hyped, happy, make noise and ask, for a track to be restarted!!!!
Once a DJ is no longer unknown or a rookie. The mere sight of them walking to set up their turntables should be enough to make folks start getting excited. In the same way, that Feters rely on DJ’s. DJ’s rely on artists. Soca music as a genre, is very, very, consistent. Despite, the uncertainty surrounding Soca Monarch in Trinidad. Soca music, as a genre has rarely, if ever had a down year.
Even the pandemic, never slowed Soca Music down. Similarly, producers and songwriters have also been examples of musical consistency.
Unfortunately though, Soca DJ’s and maybe certain Radio Stations and again, us the people, are the only weak links in sight.
Arguably, Radio Stations are less relevant because of the sheer options Soca lovers have for consuming music. Nevertheless, we the people have a role to play in keeping both DJ’s and Radio Stations accountable. Lastly, if DJ’s are unable to excite Soca fans, how is Soca supposed to grow? Even if some Soca DJ’s are all about themselves as opposed to the genre. Are they blind to the fact that mediocrity puts a cap on their earning potential? Meanwhile, conversely, their excellence can literally contribute to an unspecified, ever growing income for themselves!!!!
Will The Real Soca DJ’s, Please Stand Up?!!
Mr Killa once said, (or sung, to be more accurate): “Feteing is my Religion, The DJ is the Pastor”.
It seems some Soca DJ’s are unaware of the privileged position that they are in. They get to be an ambassador for one of the coolest, authentic, meaningful genres of music, on Earth. Simultaneously relevant, throughout the Caribbean and to a certain extent: Africa, India, the Caribbean Diaspora and maybe even the Globe (think Arrow, Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Rupee, Kevin Lyttle, The Burning Flames, Alison Hinds etc, etc, etc.
What’s more, Soca being a non mainstream genre of music, even gives a DJ the space to make their legacy be particularly meaningful and glory worthy.
Soca Music literally, is a DJ’s passport to relevance, social status, financial stability, etc, etc. Once you’ve reached as far as being able to execute your set perfectly, there literally is nothing to keep you from being elite – but you.
Even the edge that, can set an excellent DJ apart from an average one is (free in the financial sense). That edge, is music knowledge. The deeper a DJ knows music, is the easier it becomes to bridge the gaps between different tracks, in different ways. Which makes a DJ more: powerful, versatile and relevant to more and more people.
Life is tough on everybody some times. Which is why we all tend to self medicate via music. This means that a DJ is potentially relevant to everyone else on the planet. Furthermore, social media and the internet, means a DJ can potentially reach the rest of the world from wherever it is that they are based. Moreover, top tier DJ’s eg, DJ Ana and DJ Puffy, literally get to travel the world, to play music.
Every single thing that most people want in their lives, wealth, independence, social status, a platform etc etc. Is accessible to DJ’s once they master what it is they do for a living. Arguably Soca DJ’s have less competition and an easier route to separating themselves, than other mainstream DJ’s.
Carnival, should be the crown jewel in the eyes of local DJ’s. The event where they get to showcase their skills and their brilliance to the world. It is a Caribbean DJ’s chance to prove to people at home and abroad that Soca music hits, in a way that no other genre can. It is a chance to leave zero doubt to their and the genre’s, greatness. As for us, the people, it is our time to hold DJ’s accountable.
If a DJ hits a six, give them their flowers in real time and let them know. Soca DJ’s are invaluable. However, if they have the audacity to be average on Carnival day, let them know your feedback. Be respectful, but also speak your truth and definitely let the Carnival band know, what you thought of their set. Mediocrity in business is a no no and Carnival, is no different. The cost of playing mas is going up all the time.
Who, in their right mind, sits their and pays more money for the same product? In 2026, may those days be over.
Lastly, Caribbean DJ’s have Bouyon Music, Soca Music, Zouk Music, Reggaeton Music, Dancehall Music, Konpa Music and Reggae Music all on their home turf. There should be no excuse for fumbling or mediocrity. Exploring all of that musical richness, should be exciting. It should be motivating.
No matter how you look at it. Soca and Caribbean DJ’s have the opportunity to live their best lives. Their best, will bring out the best in Revellers and Feters alike but also, the very Caribbean itself. They should do it for the love and if that is insufficient, they should do it for the economy, or maybe both.
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