Every year, soca enthusiasts and carnival newbies alike wonder if the upcoming carnival will live up to the high-flying, rum-soaked jamishness of years past. And every year, the streets of Trinidad become a pulsating canvas for artists to paint their tales of the fete life, sweet whines, and celebration. This year, among colorful feathers, steel pans, and sequins, a select few songs transcended mere popularity to become anthems of the season, etching their rhythms into the very soul of the carnival.
DNA – Michal Teja
“DNA” by Michal Teja was not just a song; it became the road march song for 2024, echoing through the streets and living rent-free in our heads long before and during the height of the carnival season. Teja, hailed as the man with the “hottest pen in soca music,” has been creating waves not only for himself but also as the brains behind hits for the genre’s biggest names, and now he’s having his time to shine!
Carnival Contract- Bunji Garlin
Carnival Contract almost gave “DNA” a run for its money, being played 225 times and carrying that infectious energy and lyricism that Bunji is so loved for. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said “Ay ay ay” on the road or how many times we crossed the socadrome belting out the lyrics, but I will definitely be singing this for months to come. It’s that contract we all wanna sign, year after year, without a second thought!
Best Self – Nailah Blackman and Lyrikal
This duo had us feeling like soca royalty, strutting our stuff with all the confidence of the stars we are.
Benderella – Kerwin DuBois
It was instruction time with this one. The best songs are the ones that make you whine up on cue, and this one did not miss! Had women going by a whole different name on the road!
In the Center – GBM Nutron and Farmer Nappy
Another song with whining instructions. When you heard “hey girlfriend,” you knew what to do.
Beat Rum Bad – Wadicks and System 32
For those who enjoy their rum on the road, this was by far the anthem for the libation lovers.
Anxiety- Patrice Roberts
This song was more than music; it was a message, a soothing balm for the soul in a year that started out rough (having suffered the untimely passing of her partner and soca artist, Ricardo Drue.. It reminded us of the healing power of soca.
Holiday – Problem Child
The perfect tune for those of us who left all worries behind to jump up in the streets of Trinidad. And a good reminder that the only hard work (wuk) you’re doing for carnival, is wukking up. But this song transcends the road. You’ll turn this one up on your way to work, thinking about the next holiday, PTO, or “sick day”.
How Ah Livin – Farmer Nappy
This feel-good anthem had in the best mood, living our best lives, on cloud nine, soaking in every bit of bliss. The type that makes you clothes your eyes an spread your hands to the heavens.
Bag Ah Sugar- Terra D Governor
This riddim was already a vibe. The instrumental alone got the energy going chipping down the road, and Terra’s tunes got us ready for the spice island mas, feeling a jab jab, sweet like sugar to our ears.
