A Rising Talent Bringing a Fresh Sound to Soca
In an era where music moves at the speed of the internet, one voice has been steadily carving a space for itself, blending the raw energy of Soca with an international appeal. Mela Caribe, the singer-songwriter from Trinidad and Tobago, has spent just a few years in the professional music scene, yet she has already crafted a sound that resonates far beyond her homeland. With nearly 400,000 Spotify streams across 11 tracks—most produced by DJ Private Ryan—Mela is proving herself as one of Soca’s most promising new artists.
Mela’s sobriquet is a tribute to her identity—”Mela” (pronounced “me” + “la”) representing melanin and “Caribe” symbolizing her Caribbean roots. During a recent interview on the ‘What Yuh Know’ series with Daniel Loveless, Mela described her name as a reflection of herself, saying it represents “the brown gyal from the Caribbean.” This personal description further connects her music and message to her roots and heritage.
Her appeal is growing in key markets. YouTube search activity for Mela has tripled in her native Trinidad & Tobago over the past year, a strong signal of rising interest. Yet, “Bumpa Drop” is gaining momentum internationally at a faster rate than in Trinidad, reflecting Soca’s expanding global reach. Meanwhile, “All Night Long” has picked up traction in Germany, and “Sweet & Rude” has found listeners in Canada and even Qatar on iTunes’ (Reggae) charts.
Mela’s music is undeniably Soca at its core, but her approach is modern, pulling from a variety of influences to craft a unique sound. “Bumpa Drop,” released in January 2025, has already accumulated 10,000 Spotify streams in just one month—tripling the streaming pace of “Dream.” Her reach extends well beyond the Caribbean, with strong listener bases in Toronto, New York City, and London. Over the past year, her music has played on multiple UK radio stations catering to London’s youth and the African-Caribbean diaspora, while her work with DJ Private Ryan has helped amplify her presence on international iTunes charts, with placements in Canada, Finland, and Sweden. Data shows that 10-12% of her Spotify monthly listeners come from Canada, with similar figures in New York and Trinidad & Tobago.
Mela’s catalog also includes collaborations with Soca heavyweights like Patrice Roberts (“Sugar Remix”), Sekon Sta (“Dangerous Love”), Olatunji (“Spirit Waist”), and with Yung Bredda on “Ben Ova Miss”. However, her most Spotify streamed tracks are often those where she stands alone, proving her ability to command attention with just her voice and presence. “It’s been an amazing journey so far, and I’m so excited that my music is finally reaching the audiences I’ve dreamed of connecting with,” she says.
A defining characteristic of Mela Caribe’s musical journey has been her near-exclusive collaboration with DJ Private Ryan. The internationally recognized DJ, producer, and event curator has helmed over 80% of her releases, making his influence an undeniable factor in her growth. Ryan has long had a strategy to produce tracks that are ready for the global market, and this has shaped much of Mela’s sound, helping her appeal to a diverse, international audience year-round. “I’ve been so grateful to learn and grow under the guidance of DJ Private Ryan, who has truly believed in me and my potential,” Mela shares. The partnership has yielded a string of successes, including “Dream”—her biggest hit by total Spotify streams—which amassed 90,000 Spotify plays since its November 2022 release. While “Dream” connected with wide audiences, her newest releases are seeing even faster growth rates, signaling an expanding reach.
With a refined but youthful presence, Mela Caribe appeals to both dedicated Soca lovers and a broader global audience looking for fresh, infectious rhythms.
Just this week, she released a new song, produced by DJ Private Ryan, Supa Youth, and Sheppard Pro “Conqueror,” adding another chapter to her growing discography. Fans eager to hear her latest evolution should tune in and experience what makes her sound so captivating.
Mela Caribe’s career is still in its early chapters, but one thing is clear—her unique voice and undeniable talent make her one to listen to. As more listeners discover her music, expect this rising star to continue captivating audiences around the world.
Check out some of the latest releases from Mela Caribe!
