Image via Facebook Interview by Ashwin Seegobin.
Wherever West Indian-styled carnivals take place, Soca music, considered the child of Calypso music, is the heart and soul of carnival celebrations. The Caribbean, North America, England, Europe, and even Japan jam to Soca music for their Carnival celebrations. That was not always the case; Calypso was once the driving force for carnival, but that all changed because of the youth's mood and a desire for creative musicians to find "something musically sweeter than Calypso" to lure the young souls away from dancehall music. This happened during the 1970s, when Calypsonian Lord Shorty innovated and created a new style of Calypso, he named Sokah! The printed press began to refer to Sokah as Soca, and this ever-changing style continues to carry the name "Soca."
Today, the term "Soca" serves as a marketing tool, as it encompasses all new Caribbean Carnival music. However, unless one is well-versed in the genre or has been around from the start, it can be challenging to discern the Soca beat in some of these new music releases. For that reason, we present this Facebook interview, done by Ashwin Seegobin, with Mr. Kenny Phillips telling the story of the evolution of Calypso to Sokah (Soca). The layperson can easily understand this interesting story. Thank you, Kenny; this lesson is what we needed today. This is authentic information, not a fabrication!
Kenny Phillips tells the story of the evolution of Calypso to Sokah (Soca), as imagined by the renowned musician/artist Lord Shorty, or Ras Shorty I.
From Facebook Post:
Mr. Kenny Phillips, a legendary songwriter, producer, musician, and entrepreneur with a profound impact on the evolution of Calypso music into the vibrant Soca genre, which was known as 'Sokah' during this time, here enlightens us about his invaluable experience during this transformative period in Trinidad music.
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Video Presentation: The Evolution of Calypso to Soca
Presented by: Ashwin Seegobin
Narrated/Discussion: Mr. Kenny Phillips
Origin: Palmiste, San Fernando, Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Sokah/Soca
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