On July 2, 2016 Saint Lucia will view a special moment of musical history when the Gaiety Gardens comes alive with Soca Explosion! Having made its debut on July 11, 2015, Soca Explosion – Ricky T & Friends left an indelible mark on the entertainment calendar of Lucian Carnival. The brainchild of Stratosphere Muzic, the event sought to highlight the undisputable talent of the island’s most decorated soca star, Ricky T. With seventeen titles to his name, ranging from Party Soca Monach, Groovy Soca Monarch and Road March King, Ricky T’s name is synonymous with not only quality soca music, but tunes which are memorable and evoke an immediate response in the reveller’s mind and behaviour.
The success of 2015 has made Stratosphere Muzic want to ensure that it offers its 2016 patrons an even better product. With the tagline of “4 Icons; 4 Kings! One Night; One Stage!” 2016 promises an iconic line-up indeed. This musical journey will trace the music that most influenced soca music highlighting those who have gone before and paved the way, and helped fashion the memorable music performed by Ricky T and his peers over the years.
Led by the incomparable Calypso King of the World, the Mighty Sparrow, the stage will be set to include the Baron, Becket, and our very own Papa Vader, icons who have influenced music not only in Saint Lucia but across the Caribbean and the world, paying tribute to those who have gone before and set the stage for the music we now enjoy.
Hosted by seventeen times crowned Monarch Ricky T, the Kings will also feature Shurwayne Winchester from Trinidad & Tobago (five times Monarch), Mr Killa from Grenada (six times Monarch) and the People’s King, Ashanti, all backed by the big band DYP with Brass.
Soca Explosion 2016 promises to be the musical event for the year!
