Soca started in the Caribbean in the 1970s, growing from an older style called calypso. 'Soca' is short for 'soul of calypso'. It has fast, punchy rhythms driven by drums and brass instruments, with lyrics that celebrate life, dancing and having a good time. Soca is the sound of Mashramani — Guyana's big Republic Day festival — filling the streets with colour and movement.
Chutney music began in Trinidad and Guyana's Indian communities, who brought musical traditions with them from India more than 150 years ago. Traditional chutney uses the dholak (a double-headed drum), harmonium and fast, playful singing with call-and-response between singer and audience. It is the music of Phagwah (Holi) celebrations — when the singing starts, the dancing is not far behind.
Chutney soca blends both worlds: the driving Caribbean bass and drum of soca with the Indian melodies, instruments and vocal style of chutney. Artists sing in a mix of English, Hindi and Creolese (Guyana's local English dialect). The result is music that feels both ancient and completely modern — and it is the soundtrack to Guyana's biggest parties.
Tassa drumming is another powerful musical tradition in Guyana, also from the Indian community. Tassa drums are small clay drums played with sticks at great speed. A group of tassa players performing together creates a wall of sound that you feel in your chest as much as hear. Tassa is played at weddings, festivals and Mashramani parades.