MAS!!! COME AGAIN!!!

There are 23 days until Carnival in Jamaica is back again and this time you guys don’t have the excuse of no outside or the pandemic to stop you from learning the 2023 soca songs!!! If I had to give the music for this year a theme I would call it Power Punch. Power soca has taken this year by storm, tornado, hurricane, whatever you want to call it and as a power soca girl I am absolutely LIVING FOR IT!!! Of course there are also amazing groovy, bashment and zess songs that all come together to make this year a great one not only for power but also for the ladies. With that being said, MASQUERADERS FAAAHHHWWUUUUDDDDD these are my top 10 songs/mixes/riddims for 2023 to prepare you for Carnival in Jamaica!!!

For songs we have:

1. Look Back by Lyrikal

2. Lucid Dreams by Lyrikal

3. No Relationship by Skinny Fabulous

4. Split Personality by Preedy

5. Like Yuh Self by Machel Montano and Patrice Roberts

6. Jam Bad by Sackie and Melick

7. Never Again by Machel Montano

8. Positions by Bunji Garlin

9. Come Home by Nailah Blackman and Skinny Fabulous

10. Hard Fete by Bunji Garlin

Of course, these are in no specific order and personally that was hard to narrow down to just 10. Honorable mentions would definitely be Jub Jub by Kes, Hall of Fame by Mical Teja, Lift It by Bunji Garlin, Ego Jam by GBM Nutron and Engine Room by Olatunji

Top 10 for riddims would have to be:

1. Hight Street Riddim

2. Port of Spain Riddim

3. Stranger Things Riddim

4. Magnum Riddim

5. Road Bounce Riddim

6. Benna Riddim

7. One Piece Ah Riddim

8. Happy Daze Riddim

9. Spirit of Carnival Project Riddim

10. Trailer Jam Riddim

Seeing these in a list right now is really showing the range of songs for this year because while Port of Spain reminds me of Carnival Monday, culture, tradition and the love of the Mecca of Carnival itself, Trailer Jam is the embodiment of Carnival Tuesday just about wukking waist and jamming and enjoying letting go and the freedom Carnival usually entails and we just love a diverse queen that 2023 is.

Finally my top 10 mixes/playlists:

1. Soca Recharge 2023 by Ricothedj

2. Soca Camp 2023 by Zj Matt Camps

3. Xssentials by King Taj

4. Xodus Sweet Treats Mixtape by Heatwave Fatalic

5. 2023 Soca Cooldown by Dj Jel

6. 2023 Soca Takeover by Dj Jel

7. Soca Starter 2023 by Dj Private Ryan

8. 2023 Soca Playlist curated by Lucy and Vagabond

9. Wednesday Night Mix by Travis World

10. Soca Preview 2023 by Bloodline Franco

I listen to half of these weekly, most provide a tracklist so you can learn the songs of your favs and they’re usually available on all platforms. Pick a fav or 5 and listen to those while you workout, on the drive to work or pregaming for a fete. Remember to subscribe to the djs and artistes on your platforms of choice to keep up to date on song and mix releases. If you start now you should be able to know the songs word for word by Carnival morning. If you need any advice on further carnival prep or creating a fete list for the season, dm me on Instagram or Twitter @JaCarnivalist. Happy revelling!!!

P.s: ICYMI you should click anything with a line under it for a surprise

-JaCarnivalist