Today Panyard Vibes is celebrating Steelpan Month with Pan Trinbago. Port of Spain lit up today as the Pan & Powder Parade brought rhythm, revelry, and real Trinbagonian spirit to the streets. Steelbands rolled out with full power, powder filled the air, and the culture moved as one—a true showcase of what makes steelpan the heartbeat of the nation.
🔊 Steelpan Energy on the Move
From City Hall straight to the Queen’s Park Savannah, the parade delivered nonstop vibes:
Sweet melodic runs
Heavy Parkway‑style grooves
Youth players, veterans, and community bands side by side
Powder flying, flags waving, and pure joy everywhere
The event is the kind of celebration that reminds us why the steelpan remains the soul of Trinidad & Tobago—alive, evolving, and always ready to take the road.
Pan Trinbago’s Pan & Powder Parade continues to bridge generations, bringing families, pan lovers, and revelers together in one massive cultural wave. Powder, rhythm, and unity — the perfect mix.
We celebrate every band, every player, every supporter, and every moment that keeps pan alive.
Steelpan Month 2026 is in full swing—and today was one for the books.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Pan and Powder Parade
Vlogger: Radicle Tube
From: City Hall to the Queens Park Savannah, Port of Spain
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
Pan Passion, hosted at Pan Trinbago Headquarters, 55 Dundonald Street, Port of Spain, is a cherished August Fest tradition that brings steelbands, musicians, and supporters together in worship and thanksgiving as they honor the pioneers of the steelpan movement and seek blessings for the year ahead.
The ceremony’s centerpiece, the Blessing of the Flag, consecrates steelband banners as symbols of pride, identity, and cultural heritage.
This year’s event was also streamed live by RadicleTube, allowing supporters across the globe to share in the spirit of faith, discipline, culture, and community that continues to strengthen the Steelpan movement.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event Title: Pan Passion
Vlogger by: RadicleTube
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
We are LIVE from Brooklyn, New York, for the Youth Pan Festival Pan‑A‑Thon Soloist Competition Preliminaries, presented by the Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC‑C). 🇺🇸
37 young steelpan soloists across four age categories are stepping forward today — each bringing heart, discipline, and pure Caribbean fire to the stage. This group of pannists is the next generation of pannists, representing New York City with pride, skill, and cultural excellence.
From first notes to final flourishes, these young musicians are proving that the future of pan is bright, bold, and beautifully unstoppable.
This is youth.
This is culture.
This is steel.
This is Panyard Vibes.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Youth Pan Festival Pan-A-Thon
Vlogger: I am living my life
Venue: 1437 Utica Avenue - Metro Steel Orchestra Panyard
Origin: Brooklyn, New York City
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
From the oil drums of Laventille to the grand stages of Panorama, the steelpan rose from ingenuity and resistance to become the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago—the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century.
Born in the 1930s from the creativity of communities who transformed discarded metal into melody, the steelpan evolved through pioneers like Winston “Spree” Simon, Ellie Mannette, and Anthony Williams, shaping the sound of freedom and unity.
Steelbands became the pulse of Carnival—from Desperadoes, All Stars, and Phase II to youth bands keeping the flame alive. As Trinbagonians migrated, the rhythm traveled too—echoing through London, Brooklyn, Toronto, and beyond, where diaspora pan yards continue to beat the anthem of identity and pride.
Today, the United Nations recognizes August 11th as World Steelpan Day, honoring this instrument’s power to unite cultures and uplift communities worldwide.
Let’s celebrate the panmen, pannists, tuners, arrangers, and dreamers who turned steel into song.
Sokah2Soca salutes the pan—the soul of the Caribbean, the voice of Trinidad and Tobago.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Ancestral Walk and World Steelpan Day 2026
YouTube Video Courtesy: RadicleTube
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
From the first spark of warm-ups to the electric energy of the Panorama_stage, we’re taking you behind the scenes as steel orchestras gear up for one of the premier steelband competitions in the Caribbean diaspora.
Feel the heartbeat of the panyard.
Hear the iron ringing.
Watch the bands lock in, section by section, before stepping out under the big lights of Panorama night.
This is culture in motion — passion, precision, and pure steel.
This is Toronto Panorama 2026 streamed by "I am living my life!"
This is Sokah2Soca x Panyard Vibes.
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
🎧Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but also on a daily basis. Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music, and Soca are thriving!. You can find all of our posts online on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, andSoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Steelpan music is always in season, and we are here to bring you the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago. We applaud the work done by 'I am living my life,' which serves as our link to live music and cultural events in Trinidad and Tobago and the diaspora. Enjoy the evening's entertainment.
YouTube Notes:
We’ll take a walk, through the Emancipation Village and check out the cultural displays and vendors and experience the atmosphere as Emancipation celebrations continue.
As the evening unfolds, we’ll also take in some of the featured performances, including:
🎶 Steelpan
🎷 Jazz
🌙 Pan by Moonlight
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Exploring The LIDJ, YASU, OMAWALE Emancipation Village
Streamed by: I am living my life
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
Labour Day in Point Fortin has always carried its own kind of heartbeat, but yesterday at the Tornadoes Pan Theatre, that heartbeat echoed through rain‑kissed air and steelpan melody. What unfolded at the Labour Day Pan Jam 2026 was more than a concert—it was a testament to Trinidad & Tobago’s cultural resilience, where even the weather had to step aside for the music.
The skies opened early, sending a steady drizzle over the panyard. Umbrellas popped open, ponchos came out, and still, no one moved. Instead, the rain became a soft percussion layer, blending with the metallic warmth of the pans. It was as if Point Fortin itself insisted on joining the rhythm.
The evening’s lineup brought together four ensembles whose names alone signal quality and tradition: Tornadoes Steel Orchestra, Nightingales Steel Orchestra, San City Steel Orchestra, and Candenza Steel Orchestra. Each band stepped forward with a kind of quiet defiance—rain or shine, the show would go on. And go on it did.
Tornadoes, performing on home ground, set the tone with a confident, full-bodied sound that rolled across the yard like thunder. Nightingales followed with a sweetness that cut through the damp air, their harmonies floating above the crowd like birds in flight. San City brought precision and power, their execution sharp enough to slice through the rain. And Candenza closed with a melodic richness that felt almost ceremonial, as though blessing the night with one final wash of sound.
For those who couldn’t be there in person—whether stuck in traffic, preoccupied with the duties that life throws our way, or living thousands of miles away—the event lived on through the lens of “I Am Living My Life," the video blogger who streamed the entire show live on YouTube. The diaspora tuned in, sending comments, emojis, and love across the digital space, proving once again that pan has no borders.
Despite the weather, the atmosphere remained unmistakably festive. Children danced in puddles. Elders nodded along under umbrellas. The smell of street food drifted through the air. And the music—bright, bold, and unbothered—carried the spirit of Labour Day with every note and enduring classic songs. It was a memorable event.
The details were simple:
📍 Tornadoes Pan Theatre, Point Fortin
🕕 6:00 PM
🎟️ Free to the public
But what happened there was anything but ordinary. It was a reminder that culture doesn’t pause for rain. It grows through it. It shines in it. It sings louder because of it.
Labour Day Pan Jam 2026 will be remembered not just for the performances but for the feeling—that unmistakable sense of community, pride, and rhythm that only Trinidad & Tobago can produce. A rainy night, yes. But a beautiful one, made unforgettable by the sound of steel.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Labor Day Pan Jam
Origin: Point Fortin, Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
The Bands Who Sheltered Nothing and Played Everything
Tornadoes Steel Orchestra—home turf, home fire, home pride
Nightingales Steel Orchestra—sweet tone even in the drizzle
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
The rhythm of the pan has lost one of its purest voices. Robert “Robbie” Greenidge — the man whose hands spoke in melody and memory — has taken his final bow.
From the panyard to the world stage, Robbie carried Trinidad’s heartbeat in every note. His touch was silk, his tone eternal. For over five decades, he shaped the sound of our identity—blending the pulse of the Caribbean with the soul of the world.
Though he left us on June 8, 2026, his music still breathes through every pan struck in celebration, every rhythm born of resilience.
The master may rest, but his legacy plays on, reminding us that culture is not just sound, it’s spirit.
Notable moments:
Robert Greenidge played with a number of international artists, including John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Robert Palmer, Grover Washington Jr., Earth, Wind & Fire, Carly Simon, Taj Mahal, and Jimmy Buffett.
Some notable songs or recordings associated with those collaborations include:
He also toured and performed with Taj Mahal and remained a longtime member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. clubtrini
Caribbean Insight TV
Get ready to be blown away by the legendary Robert "Robbie" Greenidge! This Trinidadian steelpan genius, who graced us from April 28, 1950, to June 8, 2026, was a true master of his craft, celebrated globally as one of the instrument's all-time greats. With his signature "hands of silk" and a playing style smoother than butter, Robbie spent over 50 years electrifying audiences, blending the heart of Trinidadian steelband music with the pulse of the world. He left us on June 8, 2026, at 76, after a stroke, but his incredible legacy lives on!
CARIBBEAN INSIGHT TV📺 is committed to delivering innovative, practical, and high-quality programs that serve as a catalyst for cultural awareness and community organization, emphasizing the social values and attitudes that resonate with West Indian individuals. Our primary focus is on ensuring viewer satisfaction with our programs and supporting businesses in their efforts to connect with target audiences.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: The Hands of Silk
Performed by: Robert Greenidge and band
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
This is how our culture spreads across the diaspora. Today, Orlando celebrates its annual Carnival Festival, a vibrant yet restrained echo of its Trinidadian roots.
If you love steelpan music, this moment is yours—and Panyard Vibes is the place to be.
From the city’s skyline to the panyard’s soul, the Downtown Steelpan Festival brings the Carnival alive in every note. Tune in at 4:30 PM for the live stream and feel the pulse of the Caribbean echo through Orlando.
🎥 We present the Downtown Steelpan Festival for Carnival 2026, streaming live from Orlando via I Am Living My Life on YouTube.. Sit back and enjoy some sweet steelpan music.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Steelpan Festival Orlando Carnival 2026
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
The Massy Trinidad All Stars Panyard is alive with movement and music as TASSO Day 2026 unfolds. The moment you step inside, the rhythm pulls you in—players locked into rehearsal, supporters liming along the sidelines, and stories flowing as easily as the melodies rising from the pans.
There’s a special kind of magic here: the mix of discipline and joy, tradition and excitement, all building toward tonight’s performance and awards. Every note, every laugh, every memory shared adds to the energy of a space that has shaped generations of steelpan culture.
Tonight, we follow the journey from panyard to showtime—capturing the people, the passion, and the unmistakable spirit of one of Trinidad & Tobago’s most iconic steel orchestras. This is the heartbeat of pan, and you’re right in the middle of it.
From 'I am living my life' YouTube page:
Join us as we capture the vibes inside the panyard, hear stories from members and supporters, and follow the buildup to showtime and the awards later this evening. From rehearsals and lime to steelpan music and culture, experience the energy of one of Trinidad & Tobago’s iconic steel orchestras.
Just in case you did not know: What is TASSO Day?
TASSO Day is a celebration organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan Association (TASSO) — a day dedicated to honoring the art, history, and community of steelpan music. It brings together pan players, arrangers, supporters, and fans to showcase the creativity and cultural pride that define Trinidad & Tobago’s national instrument.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Tasso Day at Massy Trinidad All Stars Panyard
Streamed by: I am living my life
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
The Virginia International PANFest is happening today at the 24th Street Stage in Virginia Beach, and it’s free and open to the public. It’s a steel pan celebration with band competitions, workshops, and headline concerts as part of the festival atmosphere at the Virginia Beach oceanfront.
Our friend and vlogger of our culture in the diaspora, "I am living my life," brings this show live on YouTube. She continues to showcase our culture, including steel pan music, Caribbean culture, and oceanfront vibes, at the 24th Street Stage today. The youth display their talent and compete, showcasing their skills on the national instruments of Trinidad and Tobago.
The festival features exciting performances, competition, and a celebration of steelband music that fans won’t want to miss. So, if you are a fan of the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago and love to listen to steelpan vibes, then tune in and enjoy this feature presentation.
24th Street Stage / Park, 2400 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Today’s festival features:
🎵 16 steelbands competing
🎵 2 performance stages
🎵 Youth, school, and open category bands from across the United States
🎵 A full day celebrating steelpan culture and music
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
How about some Soca for the steelpan? Today we go up the Caribbean basin to Antigua to sample a song by Claudette Peters. A steelband might just play the song, titled "Pan Man Play," at next year's Panorama in Trinidad.
Tell us what you think. Then there is this...
Generations meet over steel—hands that carry rhythm, memory, and legacy. Sound of We reminds us that the heartbeat of pan is shared across time, echoing through every note played and every story told. From the panyard to the stage, this music is our history, our rhythm, and our legacy—alive and resonant.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Pan Man Play
Performed by: Claudette Peters
Origin: Antigua
Genre: Soca for Steelpan 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
The rhythm of steelpan fills the streets as Point Fortin comes alive for Borough Day Carnival—a celebration of music, culture, and community that captures the essence of Trinidad and Tobago’s southern spirit. This year’s highlight, Pan on the Move, brings the unmistakable sound of steelbands rolling through the borough, blending artistry and energy in a spectacle that unites generations.
Broadcast live via the “I Am Living My Life” vlogger feed on YouTube, the event invites viewers everywhere to experience the heartbeat of Point Fortin. From the gleaming pans to the smiling faces lining the streets, every note tells a story of pride and tradition. Pan on the Move isn’t just a performance—it's a living expression of who we are, carried forward on rhythm and joy.
Join the stream, feel the pulse, and celebrate the sound that moves a nation.
In choosing to stream the event, “I Am Living My Life” continues its mission of capturing authentic Caribbean experiences and sharing them with a global audience. The Point Fortin Borough Day Carnival, with its rich history and dynamic expression, is a perfect reflection of that mission. Whether you are watching from Trinidad or tuning in from far beyond its shores, the broadcast invites you to join in the celebration, feel the rhythm, and immerse yourself in the joy that defines Borough Day.
Let us spread awareness of the Caribbean diaspora's culture.
🎧Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but also on a daily basis. Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and where Calypso, Steelband Music, and Soca are thriving!You can find all of our posts online on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, andSoundCloud. We recommend that you explore your favorite content on FeedSpot/RSS Feed, Threads, Bluesky, and Twitter/X, including email subscriptions. Thank you in advance.
Recently, we spotlighted “I’m Not Drunk” by KMC as the first Soca song performed by a steelband at Trinidad’s Panorama competition. But thanks to the vibrant discussions on the "Steelpan Trivia & More" Facebook group, that claim is now under review.
Kenrick McDavid suggested that Carib Tokyo played “Soca Jean” by Lord Kitchener—arranged by Carl Henderson & Keith McBurney—in 1991. While we continue to investigate this claim, another contender has emerged.
David Goddard pointed us to “Jump and Mash Up D Party,” sung by Anselm Douglas and performed by TCL Skiffle Bunch in the 1995 Panorama Finals, arranged by the legendary Ken “Professor” Philmore. We have the receipts for this claim!
So for now, 1995 stands as the earliest confirmed Soca entry into Panorama—unless we can verify Soca Jean for 1991.
Something intriguing came to light during this search. Kenny Phillips, who initially provided us with "I'm Not Drunk" by KMC, totally forgot about "Jump and Mash Up D Party," a song that he arranged! This indicates that even music producers need to improve their management of music catalogs.
This isn’t just trivia—it’s a celebration of Soca’s journey into the steelpan arena. If you have any receipts, memories, or old cassette tapes, please feel free to share them with us. The culture deserves clarity.
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 via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, andSoundCloud. 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:
Song Title: Jump and Mash Up D Party
Artist/Performed by: Anselm Douglas
Arranged by: Kenny Phillips
Year 1995
Steelband: TCL Skiffle Bunch
Arranged by: Ken "Professor" Philmore
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca 🎶
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
🎧 Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but on a daily basis.
When I considered making this post, I had no clue about the song, band, arranger, or year it took place. What did I do? I called Kenny, aka KP (Kenny Phillips of KMP Music), and he gave me "I'm Not Drunk," by KMC, arranged by Zanda. To be honest, Kenny thinks this is the right song, band, and arranger. Is that really the case? Soca started around 1973; is it possible that it took 36 years before the first Soca song was played at Panorama? Should you have a different perspective, please refer to the following paragraph.
CHALLENGE US:
What Was the First Soca Tune Ever Played in Panorama? Before we dive into this piece, we’re inviting you to question the history and challenge our proposal. Like you, we want to get the information right. Indeed, this presentation marks the start of an exciting journey. We are fishing for relevant information; let's make history together!
Do YOU know what the first Soca song ever played by a steelband in Panorama was? We’re making our case for “I’m Not Drunk” by KMC, arranged by Carlton “Zanda” Alexander for Siparia Deltones in 2009. But Sokah2Soca is built on conversation, not decree—so if you believe another tune came first, drop the title, name the band, and let’s reason. The panyard isn’t just for practice—it’s for passion and provocation, too.
When Soca exploded onto Trinidad’s music scene in 1973, thanks to the genius of Lord Shorty, it was a celebration of fusion—Calypso’s heart with East Indian rhythm, designed to make waistlines move and speakers tremble. Yet, for decades, Panorama remained the domain of Calypso alone. Soca was viewed as too raw, too road-ready, and too rebellious to fit the orchestral standards of steelpan music.
That myth unraveled in 2009, when Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra shook the competition with a bold choice: “I’m Not Drunk” by Ken Marlon Charles (KMC). Their arranger? Carlton "Zanda" Alexander, a jazz-schooled maestro, orchestrated a cheeky party anthem into a musically rich Panorama piece, brimming with key shifts, rhythmic interplay, and harmonic twists.
It was not just steelpan meeting Soca—it was steelpan respecting it. The judges gave Deltones 7th place with 450.5 points, but the cultural impact was louder than any score sheet.
For the first time, Soca wasn’t just sampled or hinted at—it was fully embraced. “I’m Not Drunk” became the genre’s formal entry into Panorama history. Now what do you think about that? That was your historical moment; make sure to note it for future discussions about Soca and Steelband!
So, loyal fans of Soca, what do you think? Was “I’m Not Drunk” really the first, or does your musical memory offer another contender? Hit us with your picks, your passion, and your proof—let’s keep the debate as lively as the Savannah stage itself.
Send in your information to sokah2soca@gmail.com:
Song: Name of Song
Band: Name of Steelband
Arranger: Arranged by
Year: What Year?
Addendum 07/24/2025:
We have a new song/band/post coming for a Soca song played by Skiffle in 1995. The song, played by Skiffle, is from an earlier date than the song on this post.
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 via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, andSoundCloud. 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:
Song Title: I'm Not Drunk
Singer/Performed by: KMC (Ken Marlon Charles)
Steelband: Siparia Deltones
Arranger: Clive 'Zander' Alexander
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca/Steelband 🎶
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
🎧 Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but on a daily basis.
Calling All Soca and Steelband Historians—Let’s Set the Record Straight! Help Us Find Panorama’s Original Soca Tune. We are on a mission to solve this mystery, but first we must tell you that we have already written a post about the first song we think was played for the Panorama competition. After a discussion with my Kulture Krazy Encyclopedia, Mr. Kenny Phillips, we have a song, a steel band, and an arranger that we believe were the first to play Soca for Panorama. We may be wrong, but we will post it next. If we get something wrong and you help clarify the facts, everyone benefits.
We have framed some questions below. Please send your information to sokah2soca@gmail.com or panyardvibes@gmail.com.
The name of the song?
What is the name of the steelband that played it?
Who produced the song/Riddim?
The arranger for the Steelband
The year it was performed?
This is more than trivia—it’s a chance to honor pioneers who fused steel and Soca to forever shift Carnival’s soundscape. Whether you lived it, studied it, or just love a good musical mystery… drop your knowledge in the comments or tag someone who might know
Let's acknowledge and honor the origins of our rhythm! We will wait to see if your responses pan out with our thinking. Having said that, we promise to share our post with our fans and if we get it wrong, we won't pretend otherwise.
Now, since the song, band, and arranger are all unknown, it is interesting to add some spice to the discussion. You need some music, so we have aptly selected "Unknown Band" by the artist who was then known as "Blue Boy" and is now known as "Super Blue." No, we are not suggesting that this song is the first Soca played by a steelband for Panorama. This post is just a teaser!
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 via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, andSoundCloud. 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:
Title: Soca Soca played for Panorama
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca/Steelband 🎶
Sokah2Soca—Where Rhythm Lives and Calypso, Steelband Music and Soca Thrive!
🎧 Listen. Share. Amplify. Our artists embody culture not only during Carnival but on a daily basis.
Trinidad’s culture is alive, breathing, and constantly moving, and this share is another reminder of how deeply it lives in the everyday spaces of the people. Thanks to my friend Izah Trini Lenny, this livestream from vlogger I Am Living My Life reaches Panyard Vibes with all the authenticity and warmth of home. This is Pan on the Parkway!
Republic Bank hosts/sponsors Pan on the Parkway! So as not to confuse anyone, the event is not on "The Parkway in Brooklyn" but "De Parkway" in Point Fortin, Trinidad. Come on... I had to say it!
As part of the Point Fortin Borough Day 2026 celebrations, it captures the kind of grassroots cultural richness that, if you follow her long enough, will show you more of Trinidad than even our national Carnival. That’s not an exaggeration — her broadcasts take you straight into the heart of the island. So settle in, enjoy the evening, and help carry our culture across the world.
Pan on the Parkway came alive through the livestream, blending steelpan music, community, and Borough pride into one seamless celebration. With the link shared by 'Izah Trini Lenny' for 'I am living my life,' the energy of the Mahaica Sports Complex felt close even from afar.
Featuring a strong lineup of steelbands:
Holy Faith Convent Penal Steel Orchestra
LA47 Steel Orchestra
Southern Stars Steel Orchestra
Pan Elders Steel Orchestra
Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra
Republic Bank Exodus Steelband
And more!
From sweet melodic runs to full‑force Parkway power, the music reminded viewers why steelpan remains the heartbeat of Trinidad & Tobago’s identity. Families, pan lovers, and longtime supporters filled the venue from 5 PM to 11 PM, creating the warmth and pride that define Point Fortin. Through the livestream, the diaspora stayed connected to home, experiencing the rhythm, joy, and cultural unity that make Borough Day unforgettable.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Pan on the Parkway - Steelpan Vibes All Night - Point Fortin Borough Day 2026
Live YouTube broadcast via "I am living my life."
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Steelband Music 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Panyard Lime, where rhythm lives. Steelbands and calypsos provide the steelband pulse year-round, not just during Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
