Soca music is flooding the zone for the summer of 2025. Every day, new songs are released for upcoming carnivals in various Caribbean territories. Today we feature an album produced for Vincy Mas 2025; it is titled "Ring Pop Riddim." The album is a seven-track album crafted by producer Shemuel 'Stamina Smurf' Thomas of Stockroom Productionx and executive produced by Planet Soca. Featuring a lineup of artists spanning Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, and Barbados, the riddim brings its flavor to the season—but does it have the lasting impact to transcend carnival hype?
Five of the songs are from Vincy artists, and two more are from Saint Lucia and Barbados artists. To be honest, this album did not impress us. Despite this, we recognize Skarpyon's "Living Conditions" as a standout track, providing a grounded and thought-provoking sound amidst the party-ready energy of the riddim. The lyrics resonate, touching on deeper themes while maintaining the vibrancy expected for Vincy Mas. Teddyson John's sweet voice and smooth delivery make this track stand out. King Bubba's song gets a pass but it lacks that memorable spark; it just does not feel outstanding and sounds familiar.
I understand that many fans will not favor our take on this album. We call it as we 'hear it!' There is no place for hurt feelings in this business. While we are not impressed, we expect differing viewpoints and welcome a rebuttal. If you believe these songs will endure beyond 2025, please feel free to pursue it. Ultimately, the decision lies with the listeners who take these songs on the road and the DJs who play them after the carnival.
Consider what makes the track you favor special. Does it feature a timeless hook, lyrical depth, or infectious energy that allows it to resonate beyond the season? The answer to this question will determine whether Ring Pop Riddim is simply a fleeting moment or a lasting entry in soca’s archives.
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, musicians, and music producers. We are able to honor and promote the rich sounds and tales of the Caribbean thanks to your support. Together, we can ensure that this rich cultural legacy continues to reach a wider audience and foster creativity and connections. While you should always buy music for sale, you should avoid sharing promotional music because it denies songwriters, producers, and artists important revenue. Please be aware that all of our posts are available online through social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud. We recommend exploring your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Album Title: Ring Pop Riddim
Produced by Shemuel 'Stamina Smurf" Thomas for Stockroom Productionz
Executive Producer: Planet Soca
Artwork by Revel Studios
Origin: Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, Barbados
Genre: Soca 🎶
Representing Saint Vincent:
Shanny D—Doh Come Fuh Me
Skinny Fabulous—Explode
Nicki Pierre—Touch It
Madskull—No Time
Skarpyon—Living Conditions
Representing Saint Lucia:
Teddyson John—No Drama
Representing Barbados:
King Bubba FM—Never
Sokah2Soca—Where the Rhythm Lives and CalypSoca Thrives!
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 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca 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/.
♫ Please click the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the music player/TV frame).