For more than ten years, internationally acclaimed Trinidadian Ryan Alexander, more popularly known as DJ Private Ryan, has annually released a Soca Starter Mix. When he drops his Soca Starter mix, you know Carnival season has begun. The mix usually helps locals and foreigners visiting the twin-island become familiar with the songs and builds hype before the fetes or before heading out on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. He uploaded the Soca Starter 2021: The Quarantine House mix on January 20, and it gives a sense of normalcy during this time. Even in a unique Carnival season, we can’t stop traditions.
The Soca Starter mix includes songs from already beloved riddims such as the Sweet Tooth Symphony riddim (“Dubai,” “So Sweet,” and “It Don’t Matter” ) and The Origin Project riddim (“Party Central,” “Private Party,” “Act Normal,” “Fed Up,” and “Selfish” ). It also features upcoming artists such as Lucrativ (“Go Down” ) and Mical Teja (“Mashup” and “Hornin’ First” ), non-Trinbagonians (King Bubba, Mole, and Skinny Fabulous), and dancehall artists like Konshens and Kemar Highcon in “Soda” and “Start Up” respectively. There might even be some songs you’ve never heard before. DJ Private Ryan included some unreleased tracks such as “OSHUN” with Freetown Collective and “Don’t Stop Jammin” by Kes.
As he said at the beginning of the playlist, if you don’t hear your favorite in this mix, it will be in the Soca Brainwash coming in a few weeks. Listen to Soca Starter 2021 (The Quarantine House Party) below.
