Mixtape Mondays, 2012 Carnival Edition: DJ Gravity, Private Ryan, Alonzo Horning, Soca Rebel

Words by DJ Theory—

It’s carnival time in Trinidad (not to mention Dominica and a few other islands, too) so it’s only right that this week’s Mixtape Mondays be geared toward all things soca. Whether you’re getting dressed in your carnival best, or just want to imagine yourself somewhere a little more festive (like myself, who’s currently in South Lake Tahoe where it’s definitely NOT carnival time), we’ve got you covered. Get ready to pump yuh download button and yuh flags below to four soca mixes specifically built for 2012 carnival hype. These should get you fully up to speed with all the big tunes for this year from soca royalty like Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano, Kes The Band, Faye Ann Lyons, Skinny Fabulous, Super Jigga TC, Alison Hinds and so many more. Also make sure you get yourself prepped with our Trini contributor Jillionaire’s top 10 Road March contenders and  top 10 groovy soca tunes for 2012. The vibez cyah done!

DJ Gravity, Soca Twist (via Cutlass & Cane): Antigua’s DJ Gravity brings the fete to you with this huge, two-volume groovy soca bomb. Preview below, download part 1 here, part 2 here.

Private Ryan, Soca Brainwash: Trinidad’s mixtape machine Private Ryan dishes out the soca essentials on this 2 1/2 hour welcome to Trinidad tape. All the tunes you need to know for carnival this year in one package. Stream below, get more info and download here.

Alonzo Horning, Trinidad Carnival 2012 Groovy & Power Soca Mixdown: In case the title didn’t make it clear enough, Alonzo Horning pretty much seals the deal with this two-part mix with 163 tracks in total. Repping Toronto, home to North America’s largest street festival and soca movement outside the Caribbean, Caribana, soca clearly runs through this selector’s blood, as evident by these 2012 carnival mixes. Stream both below, tracklists here and here.

Soca Rebel, I Am Soca Rebel Vol.1 – Cosmic Shift: New York’s Soca Rebel wraps things up with Cosmic Shift, a mix of both groovy and power soca laced with more necessary education for carnival 2012. Stream and download below, tracklist here.

I AM SOCA REBEL VOL 1 “COSMIC SHIFT” by socarebel