Soca is a lively dance music genre that arose in Trinidad in the 1970s as a modernised, dance-oriented continuation of calypso. The name itself is interpreted as the “soul of calypso.”
Unlike calypso with its emphasis on witty lyrics, soca stakes everything on rhythm and energy: a fast tempo, a powerful pulsing beat, and bright brass and electronic sounds turn it into ideal music for mass dancing. Soca is the driving force of the modern Caribbean carnival, and huge crowds dance to it in the festive processions. The lyrics usually call for merrymaking, dancing, and rejoicing in life. From Trinidad, soca spread throughout the Caribbean and among Caribbean communities worldwide, becoming a synonym for a carefree festive mood.
