For Rae, the rising star of Soca music, passion and perseverance are fueled by more than just a love for music.
Known as the “Sweetheart of Soca,” Rae credits her family and personal growth as driving forces behind her career. With several new releases already out in anticipation of Carnival 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago, Rae is focused on maintaining her momentum, grateful for every milestone she’s reached so far.
Rae’s journey into Soca music began long before her breakthrough moment. Growing up, she balanced her time between Trinidad and Tobago, New York, and now Maryland, experiencing moments of uncertainty and fear.
“I’ve always loved to sing. I learnt to read music during my earlier years when I played the violin and after that, I attended the Frank Sinatra School of The Arts in the US,” Rae recalls. Although she initially pursued classical music, she realized it wasn’t her true calling. “It didn’t feel like it was enough for me,” she admits. Despite recording with young singers at Murder Inc. studios in New York and trying out for American Idol, Rae faced a series of setbacks that led her to step away from music professionally.
However, a phone call from a relative changed the trajectory of Rae’s career. Her cousin connected her with Darryl Gervais, a renowned songwriter and producer known for working with Soca legend Kees. Though Rae had never recorded Soca music before, she was determined to make the most of this opportunity.
She convinced Gervais to write two songs for her in time for the 2020 Carnival season. Thanks to Gervais’ connections, Rae was soon added to the “Toatin Riddim” alongside big names like Nadia Batson, Lyrikal, and Shal Marshall. “That was where it all started for me,” she says. “That’s when I got my break.”
Five years later, Rae has navigated the challenges of the pandemic and is now standing strong as a female artist in the Soca industry. “During the pandemic when many of us were confused about the direction we should go in, I did not give up,” she explains. “I did a lot of virtual performances and maintained my presence.” This perseverance helped propel her to new heights, especially as she began to emerge as a significant voice in Soca.
Her latest release, “Throw Waist,” comes after the success of tracks like “Wining Degree” and “Come Over,” a collaboration with Azaryah. With “Throw Waist,” Rae moves beyond the “sweet” songs she’s known for, embracing a more versatile sound. “Everybody calls me the Sweetheart of Soca, but I feel like that puts me in a category where people think I can only do ‘sweet’ songs,” Rae states. “I don’t want to get boxed in; I’m versatile, and I am capable of multiple variations when it comes to Soca music.”
As Rae heads to Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival 2025, she’s ready to take the music scene by storm. In 2024, she made an impressive showing as the second runner-up in the Antigua Soca Monarch, a success she calls “a win” in her own right. “I was an artiste nobody had known—with a song nobody had heard much of. That meant a lot to me,” she recalls.
Rae is also focused on delivering stronger vocals and greater connection with her audience through online engagement and visuals. “It’s not enough to just release the music anymore. People want to connect, and visuals help with that,” she says. “Bringing the content and the personality with the music, is the way forward.”
“Throw Waist,” written by Darryl Gervais and produced by Papoo, carries an empowering message for women. “This song is about the ladies, and the energy is all about dominating, empowering, and strengthening women all season long,” Rae explains.
As she prepares to parade with Paparazzi on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Rae is laser-focused on her rise in the industry, setting high standards for herself and remaining determined to succeed. “It’s all about maintaining tunnel vision and pushing forward,” she says. For Rae, the journey has only just begun.
