soca

American  

[soh-kah] / ˈsoʊ kɑ /

noun

1. a style of Caribbean dance music derived from calypso and American soul music and having a pounding beat.

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SOCA ¹ British  

/ ˈsəʊkə /

acronym

1. Serious Organized Crime Agency: a British government organization set up in 2004 specifically to combat organized crime

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soca ² British  

/ ˈsəʊkə /

noun

1. a mixture of soul and calypso music typical of the E Caribbean

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Etymology

Origin of soca

1975–80; so(ul) + ca(lypso)

Example Sentences

Ricardo Drue, a soca singer renowned in his native Antigua and Barbuda and among the Caribbean community around the world, died Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2023

DJ JEL pointed out that their music community was still reeling from the loss of Clyde Tha Outlaw, also a major figure in the soca and Caribbean music scene.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2023

Expect an amazing parade showcasing the best of mas dancing, soca, calypso, steel bands and sound systems.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2023

As soon as we came close to a band filled with big trucks blasting soca, we jumped out of the bus, excited to be lost in the sea of revelers.

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2022

The soca music played on as she worked on another section of her hair, hectic steel pan and percussion thumping through the air, her spine prickling.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi