IslandMix - Soca, Reggae, Zouk and Caribbean Entertainment

I have notice that soca albums only release during the carnival season. For example Burning Flames in July, right in time for Antigua carnival, Nu Vybes for St.Kitts carnival, Xtatik for trini carnival and most artist follow this trend. In this situation its a two way street! Releasing new material for carnival should benefit an artist live performances. But what happens to album sales? Radio stations and bootleggers putting out the music for carnival, taking away royalties from an artist. Dont yall think soca artist should release only some singles during carnival and wait when the carnival season pass. I think it will increase album sales because people would want to hear the tunes that werent release yet! Thats how other genres of music do it and they make a fortune!

this is the way i see it...carnival is about soca music and should be...however soca music should not only be about carnival....carnival needs soca music but soca muisc should not need carnival..until we figure out how to do this then the trend you have mentioned above will continue!!!

thats the main problem right there dadli. Relying on the carnival season.

This is where Artists Dj's and Radio Stations can help change it. It has slowly begun to change in NY at least. The only problem is unless established artists start releasing more music throughout the year it will be a failed effort. Currently the NY based artists have been letting out music at various intervals throughout the year but with such small recognition among the soca listening public they can't do it alone. If more established artist start doing this and releasing songs that swing more to the soca than the reggae side of the spectrum it may change the consumer approach to soca music.

I totally agree wit ya Mr Wad. I think this problem holds true in most caribbean islands. To tell ya de truth I was shocked some years back when i know that most people I know in T&T does only listen to soca carnival time, and I mean some die hard soca fans, and then it dead whole year round. They blastin' de reggae, de rap, de r&b, etc...

That's why I love Bklyn because any season, any day and any time night or day you can turn on de radio and hear soca. I give thanks to all of these underground radio stations helpin' to promote we music whole year round. With out dem alota artiste would not have a chance ah bein' heard. And whole year round there is always some soca show or soca party goin' on. I think if other places would follow dat trend it would work out better.