Musician and drummer, Zane Rodulfo. Visit BAC Sonic Clinic to hear the sounds of Soca.
In BAC’s Wellness Studio Blog, we invite you to share the passion we have for healing arts, and show how you can use featured Brooklyn traditions from our global diasporas to nurture and heal your body, community and soul.
Today’s Brooklyn Tradition that heals: Soca!
Soca is a form of Trinidadian music that developed in the 1970s. It is related to calypso music and often associated with Carnival.
The term "soca" was coined by the 1970s Trinidadian calypso singer, Lord Shorty. Soca is both a fusion of calypso and East Indian music, and sometimes thought of as "soul calypso." The style emphasizes synth mixes, multi-track recording, and energetic rhythmic patterns. It draws upon West African and Indian drumming and percussion, African American gospel vocals, and traditional calypso sounds. There are various types of soca music: ragga soca, chutney soca, groovy soca, each with its own tempo and style drawing upon different influences.
Niama Safia Sandy shared:
“I have this idea that in fact joy is a portal making device... It allows you to be able to see for the other side, or for you to actually make the other side right.”
Healing with Soca:
Look at your surroundings. See a tree, a wall, a lamp, whatever is in your field of vision. See also the space around the lamp.
Look at yourself, in a reflection or in your body. Extend your arms beside you and in front of you. Take up space.
Move with the sounds you hear!
After:
Engage joy in all your senses. Listen to a song you love. Taste a treat you enjoy.
Reflect:
Write down three things you are grateful for.
Where do you feel most like yourself?
Share with friends and family if you'd like.