Exploring Saint Lucia's most promising tracks
Lucian Carnival is undeniably the launchpad for new Soca music each year for Saint Lucia’s artists. During the festival, various showcases present the top tunes, including the Soca Monarch Competitions and Road March winners.
Following the festival, Export Saint Lucia has posed the question of the “Most Exportable Song” to the public. The government agency has nominated five tracks for public voting via a form on their website to represent the vibrant and dynamic spirt of Saint Lucian Carnival. The criteria for selection include lyrics, vocal performance, production quality, and cross-cultural appeal. The Winner is noted to receive a $5000 prize and international support for music promotion.
Popularity contests aside, the data clearly shows that “Start D Party” performed by Imran Nerdy and produced by Vibez Productions, is currently the most exportable track out of the pack of nominees. By “exportable,” we mean a song that can be promoted and sold internationally. This Soca hit, infused with techno and bouyon, features lyrics that resonate in any setting—whether at a party, club, fete, or carnival. The track prompts the DJ to “start d party” and encourages patrons to “show your glass if you drinking.”
As of July 29th, “Start D Party” has accumulated nearly 10,000 streams on Spotify, more than twice the number of streams for any other track in the set. This impressive figure highlights its extensive reach and exposure beyond Saint Lucia. The song has also been featured on international radio stations in the USA, Canada, and Martinique. On iTunes, it has led the charts in the United States and Canada, and is the only track to hit the UK iTunes chart to date. Additionally, on Apple Music, “Start D Party” has made significant inroads in 8 Caribbean countries, including St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua, Bermuda, Barbados, Cayman Islands, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Other exportable tunes have their own unique appeal and target different audiences.
“Look Something to Talk About” by Ricky T is already making waves outside of Saint Lucia, giving listeners something to chat about. This track already with 5k Spotify streams is the only one in the set to play on Jamaican radio as well the only tune in the pack that has landed on the Apple Music charts in both Germany and Namibia, spreading the Lucian sound into Europe and Africa.
“Beyoutiful” is another exportable gem from Saint Lucia. With nearly 4,000 Spotify streams and radio play in Canada, it’s tailored to a different audience, particularly women during Carnival. The track serenades revelers with “beautiful is what you are, in your costume…” “Beyoutiful” has also already hit the iTunes charts in the United States, and on Apple Music, it has made its mark in 6 Caribbean countries and is the only song in the set to peak on the Apple Music Chart in the Dominican Republic.
“Damn Proud Lucian” by Sly, with its meaningful lyrics, has deeply resonated with Lucians in the United States and throughout the Caribbean. This song is poised to remain a musical staple both at home and abroad for years to come.
While “Start D Party” stands out as the leading candidate for exportability, each nominated track brings its own strengths to the table. The diversity in their appeal showcases the rich talent within Saint Lucia’s music scene and highlights the global potential of Soca.
A question might be, why only export one of these Soca songs, when each of them may serve to benefit the reach and exposure of Saint Lucia and its Carnival, to a variety of audiences.
Take a listen to the top tunes streamed in Saint Lucia weekly here:
