Caribana and soca have always gone hand in hand. The Canadian celebration has traditionally had sweet soca jammin everywhere but this year's Caribana seemed different with a strong showing of support for reggae/ dancehall artists throughout the course of the weekend. Three Jamaican artists in town for Caribana received warm welcomes and performed for the enthused crowd.
Queen Ifrica, Busy Signal, and Gyptian all graced Canada with their presence this weekend. Putting on their hits for thousands of concert goers and raising new questions in Caribbean culture.
In recent years the fusion of soca and reggae have produced some great music as artists from both genres collaborate to represent their cultures. However, it begs the question has the international appeal of reggae music crossed over into territories that were once ruled by soca?
In Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of soca music, reggae has began to take a stronghold with artists like Serani selling out concert venues. This new age fascination with reggae in countries that have been predominantly soca driven is both refreshing and perplexing at the same time.
Why has there been a change in cultures? Will reggae one day be the predominant genre of music throughout the Caribbean? Is soca's appeal in Trinidad, Canada, and other "soca based" countries dwindling?
All these questions and no answers. Only time will tell just how big reggae will become in soca dominant territories. One thing is for certain soca and its melodies will probably not become extinct or irrelevant anytime soon.
Soundoff: Do you think reggae will supercede soca in countries that have traditionally been soca driven?
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