The tides have turned significantly for Soca artiste Devon ‘Lyrikal’ Martin, the Brooklyn King of Soca, who has worked tirelessly and has established himself as a staple in the Caribbean entertainment circuit. The songwriter/vocalist/performer has quickly become an identifiable advocate for Caribbean heritage and culture in the United States of America as one of the heavily sought-after names to represent Soca music. A bold decision in 2022 led to Lyrikal executing his first ‘Happy Place’ concert in New York. The full-length show, to the delight of many, was heavily patronized and received rave reviews. The second execution of ‘Happy Place’ NYC will occur on July 09th at Coney Island Art Walls, a famous outdoor museum of street art.

This year’s event promises to be even bigger as the high patronage of last year’s event forced him to move the event to a bigger space. For Lyrikal, this concert allows him to package and showcase his talents more meaningfully. He is ecstatic as he prepares for this upcoming show. Brooklyn will forever be home for the Soca artiste; he shares, “Some may or may not know, but my career started in Brooklyn, New York.” Admittedly, the diversity of New York he called home for over 15 years heavily influenced his career and creativity. ‘Happy Place,’ Lyrikal best explains, is him “taking it back home to where it all started because I am so grateful for everything that Brooklyn and New York City gave me.”

In signature, Lyrikal style, ‘Happy Place’ NYC will feature some of his industry friends in various genres. The star-studded event is Lyrikal’s ode to Soca and promises to be a showcase that packages Soca music for both familiar and new audiences. To ensure that patrons feel immersed in Caribbean culture, Lyrikal and his team will focus on engaging elements of Caribbean culture to ensure overall enjoyment: Caribbean cuisine, carnival fanfare elements like Moko Jumbie, Mas, a Riddim Section, and decor.

Thus far, Lyrikal has executed his ‘Happy Place’ concert in Trinidad (2022 and 2023) and Miami (2022). Named after his hit Soca single ‘Happy Place’, the event which evolved from his 2020 event in Trinidad titled ‘Lyrikal and Friends’ is one that he is “extremely proud of.” His overall focus is on the event’s growth so he can continue to explore opportunities for himself and those he engages to perform at his show. Reflecting on his growth, the artiste, who has been recording since age 14, is “proud” but not content; “My focus is on positively contributing to the Caribbean heritage and culture in the USA and globally,” he shares. He is “always thinking about being impactful and creating music that never expires.”

Official updates for ‘Happy Place’ NYC will be available via Lyrikal’s social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook) and Eventbrite.