Express ( Trinidad and Tobago )
26 September 2025 ( Page 19 )
Sucre's Sweet sound
From Palo Seco corners to Youth Soca Champion...
¦ Michael Mondezie
NKOSI SUCRE lives and breathes soca music.
The 24-year-old Palo Seco-bred singer, songwriter, producer, and band vocalist stands as the reigning Youth Soca Champion, a University of the West Indies (UWI) musical arts graduate and the voice behind the new single 'Gimme Wuk Dahlin'.
For Sucre, every step of that journey has been shaped by a devotion to keep soca music at the centre of his life and to share its power with the next generation.
'Soca has been the gateway to my interest in music,' Sucre shared during a WhatsApp exchange with the Express on Wednesday. 'I've been an avid soca fan ever since I was a little boy, and it has been very instrumental in my curiosity to discover music. Additionally, it has allowed me to be vulnerable during the creation process and, in turn, allow me to discover and develop myself as a person.'
From Palo Seco to Savannah success
Born in San Fernando in 2001, Sucre developed a love for music at an early age. He recalls the family home being filled with classic calypso and soca, and finding an early outlet on the guitar.
'I got the opportunity to play the guitar in front of my village and be praised for my skills by my tutor. That moment was definitely a motivation to me,' he recalled.
Those sparks grew into academic and artistic achievement. He earned a place on the CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination) Merit List for performing arts, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in musical arts from The UWI, St Augustine, and balanced classroom discovery with stage experience across campus. He believes that foundation gave depth to his approach to the craft.
'My academic background has helped me to sharpen my musical skills,' he explained. 'I've learnt how to dive deeper into the music, as well as provide something different to the sound of soca, whether it be in my vocal training, artistic expression or unique perspective.'
That different outlook became a strength. Where many artistes are blooded in soca through the fete circuit alone, Sucre built a toolkit that combined discipline, theory, and lived experience. All of it came together last Carnival when he took home the inaugural Youth Soca Champion title with an eye-catching performance of the self-penned 'The Greatest' at the first staging of the competition, which replaced the International Soca Monarch.
Planting deep musical roots
Sucre admits his path could have gone in other directions. In an era when Trinibad dominates youth spaces, he says the pull towards soca music was too strong to ignore. He credits his parents, Nigel and Edlyn Sucre, with inspiring his love for vintage calypso and soca.
'I grew up listening to the radio rather than CDs or music videos on TV. My father was a fan of calypso and the early days of soca, and he also grew with the evolution of its sound and culture,' he revealed. 'I think my responsibility is to create music that preserves our culture, while being progressive.'
That responsibility shapes his newest work, 'Gimme Wuk Dahlin'. For Sucre, the song is proof of where he is now, and where he is heading.
'This song captures my growth as an artiste and performer, as well as a human being. It touches a very real and relatable topic that is an example of what music is and what soca music can discuss,' he added. 'I want people to be able to relate to this song for what it is. It is a song that people can relate to all year round, and I hope that it makes its way into people's lives.'
Building a legacy
As one of the lead singers of the highly rated Evolution The Band, Sucre has learned how to balance individuality with collective energy. He values the space to experiment and grow alongside peers, including fellow frontliners Juniah Lifa and Tish Official (Tishanna Stoute), who share his drive.
'The band allows the space for us to be ourselves. We're all young, vibrant and talented musicians that see ourselves as having a voice people would want to listen to. I also think that we have
different styles that help represent perspectives of talented youths that need to be presented.'
That collaborative spirit has been reinforced by working alongside some of soca's most recognisable names. Sucre has already appeared with Machel Montano, Nailah Blackman, Shurwayne Winchester, College Boy Jesse (Jesse Stewart), Vincentian Skinny Fabulous (Gamal Doyle), and Jamaican Grammy- winning reggae star Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage. He says those encounters have been pivotal in shaping his outlook.
'I think it's a toss-up between humility and betting on yourself,' he mused. 'You have to be able to believe in yourself and your craft before others can believe in you; all while you remain thankful and grateful for the opportunities that come your way.' Belief and gratitude are values he hopes will define every chapter of his career. Beyond prizes and titles, he wants his music to leave something lasting. 'I want my legacy to be one where people see me as a musical entertainer that has made music that fills their soul in every way, as well as one who has been a representation of the next generation,' Sucre concluded.
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DEVOTED TO SOCA: Singer, songwriter, producer, and band vocalist Nkosi Sucre.
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