People have been debating Soca music and its potential for global impact for years. Of course, I love Soca—how could I not? I grew up in the Caribbean, raised on calypso, and watched firsthand as the music evolved and transformed into soca through the genius of Garfield Blackman, better known as Lord Shorty, and the many innovators who followed.

But we also have to face a harsh truth: most of the world still doesn’t know what Soca is. Watch this video and you’ll see exactly what I mean—most Americans have never even heard of Soca. Surprising? Maybe. But after living in the United States for over two decades, I can tell you it’s the reality. Outside of West Indian communities, the average American only encounters our music when they’re on vacation in the Caribbean.

It is indeed frustrating, and if you have read this far, you likely comprehend my sentiments regarding the issue. One of the major issues is that we aren’t presenting the right type of Soca to the world. Power Soca is made for the Caribbean—its energy, its pace, its Carnival DNA. But Groovy Soca? That’s the sound that can resonate globally. That’s the sound that can travel. Yet we keep pushing Power Soca internationally, even though it hasn’t worked and won’t work. Caribbean people and our diaspora will always love that high-intensity style, but the wider world isn't ready for it. Give them the smooth, melodic, soulful side of Soca—that’s where the opportunity lies.

Another challenge is the significant influence of Carnival on our music. It’s seasonal, built for a specific moment, a specific energy. But for international markets, we need songs that can live beyond the festival cycle. Tracks like “Smile” by Ataklan and Terri Lyons show exactly what’s possible—music with depth, emotion, and universal appeal. That’s the kind of material that can open doors if we pair it with real promotion and a strategy to raise awareness of the quality and versatility of Soca.

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title:  Smile

Artist/Performed by:  Ataklan x Terri Lyons

Performed by: Ataklan & Terri Lyons

Directed by: Walt Lovelace

Written by Mark 'Ataklan' Jiminez

Produced and Mixed: Darrel Braxton

Preproduction credit:  Sheldon '$hel $hok' Benjamin

Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

Genre: Calypso/Soca 🎶

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 of 1976. Kaiso Dial/Calypso 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/.

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