What do you get when you mix the melodic sound of Indo-Caribbean music with elements of Soca and Calypso? Yes, you’ve guessed it- Chutney Soca. This crossover style of music has been gaining international recognition throughout the years and has become a significant element of the Trinbagonian Carnival experience.

It were Trinidadian Musicians Sundar Popo aka ‘King of Chutney’ after the release of his 1969 hit ‘Nana and Nani’ and the great Ras Shorty I who are both credited for pioneering this new sound in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Chutney is now embedded in the culture and is considered indigenous to Caribbean countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and Jamaica,

Over the years with mega Chutney Soca hits such as Drupatee’s- ‘Roll up D Tassa’, Chris Garcia’s – ‘Chutney Bacchanal’ and many more, the Chutney Soca music fraternity has created many international artistes. Here are a few noteworthy mentions:

Neval Chatelal

Neval Chatelal, picture above, is a young award-winning vocalists from Trinidad and Tobago. He is a previous winner on Mastana Bahar (2006) and Digicel Rising Stars (2010). He has also served as a judge on the DigiceRising Stars panel.

This young chutney star is also the reigning Chutney Soca Monarch winner for the last two years alongside Nishard M with their hit songs ‘Fyah’ (2019) and ‘Masala’ (2018).

RIKKI JAI

Up next we have a singer who needs no introduction. Samraj Jaimungal is a well-known Chutney and Chutney-Soca Icon who goes by the stage name Rikki Jai and recently celebrated thirty (30) years in the business.

His 1989 well known song ‘Sumintra’ became a mega hit resulting in him being a finalist in the first ever soca monarch in 1993 and the first Chutney Soca Monarch in 1998. Presently, he holds six titles; his latest which he won in 2015 with Ravi B for their single ‘Chutney Avengers’. Some of his popular releases are- ‘Mor Tor’, ‘Bar Man’,  and ‘Leh We Fete’.

RAVI B

Ravi Bissambhar, aka Ravi B, is a Trinidadian Chutney Soca Star and the Band leader of the popular crossover band ‘Karma’. He is the youngest chutney soca artiste to win the Chutney Soca Monarch in 2015 and 2017; and is also the first chutney soca artiste to cross one million views on YouTube with his hit single ‘Drinka’. Some of his other well-known hits are- ‘Start Over’, ‘Budget’, ‘Bread’ and ‘Prescription’.

KI

Kris Veeshal Persad, known musically as KI, is a young and talented Chutney Soca artiste from Trinidad and Tobago. He is the Band owner and Leader of the international crossover band- KI & the Band formerly known as JMC 3veni.

KI is a multiple award winner including a three-time Chutney Soca Monarch winner (2012, 2014 & 2016) and is a crowd favorite known for his energetic performances. Some of his popular releases to date are- ‘Same Gyal Twice’, ‘KI Make Me Do It’ and ‘Friends for the Night’.

These are just a few of the many talented Chutney Soca artistes representing our music and  culture internationally. We at Caribbean Entertainment Hub, will like to commend these talented artistes for their contribution and would like to wish them all continued success.

Some Popular Chutney Soca Songs For 2019

1. Fyal Neval Chatelal & Nishard M 0:45

2. Born To Fete Rikki Jai & Ravi B 0:45

3. Divorce Remix ft Beenie Man GI 0:46

4. Tac Tac Kavita Ramkissoon 0:45

5. Where Yuh Been Anooj D Feat Shatta Youth 0:45

6. Motor Bike Nisha Ramsook 0:45

7. Rock The Boat Boya Shafyiet ft Daddy Chinee 0:45

8. Young Gyal Krishna Ramdass 0:45

9. No Disrespect Ki THe Band 0:45

10. Satie Why Yuh Leave Meh Rick Ram 0:45

11. Bite Up Veejai Ramkissoon & Rome 0:46

12. Chantel Veekash ft Ki 0:45

Sources includes: Artiste featured Social Media and Biographies, Looptt.com.

Hashtags:  #RikkiJai #RaviB #KI #NevalChatelal #TrinidadandTobago #ChutneySoca #Soca