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

“His passing was extremely sad and shocking. He was one of our best soca artists who enjoyed the patronage, admiration and respect of our people. He will be immensely missed” Brown told Antigua News.

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

It is a raw film in the cautionary tale it offers about an aspiring young soca dancer — to both its credit and its detriment.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2021

Late the next morning, Jam was twisting her hair in her bedroom, smearing whipped shea butter on her palms and applying it in sections while soca music played over her speakers.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi