Booster Shot: The History Behind Dr. Jay's Soca or Die Fete

Dr., Jay and Nurse Karen at Soca or Die 8

This time of year, soca lovers all over the place get excited for one special fete that only happens in Toronto (Well officially, that is!) You've all heard the saying 'often immitated, never duplicated'. The same can be said for "Soca or Die", a signature event promoted by DJ Dr. Jay de Soca Prince. He is a top soca DJ an promoter, based right here in Toronto. He's also the host of the Soca Therapy radio show, for which I contribute "The Round's" segment every Sunday, in other words...the Doctor to my Nurse. Ever since I was in high school (and my parents would have never allowed me to go to a party), Dr. Jay has been promoting events that put soca in the spotlight, helping to make Toronto one of the few places quality soca shows can be enjoyed throughout the calendar year. The biggest Soca or Die show happens every year in November. That's when the concept is to celebrate Jay's B-Day, as well as DJ Marxman who also spins for the radio show, and I get included, being that we all happen to be born the same week. It's exciting, and always star-studded event, but this time around, it's a suprise! Patrons won't know who is performing until they get there. Crazy idea right? Yeah, I think so to. One thing I know, when it comes to shows, Dr. Jay won't steer you wrong. See below from Dr. Jay's explanation of the history behind SOCA OR DIE.

In case you never heard the story, let me tell you how I was inspired to doSOCA OR DIE!


In November 2004, Sean 'Diddy' Combs launched a political awareness initiative called "Vote Or Die!" during the Bush/Kerry Presidential race.
Let's be real, Diddy is a marketing genius. The Vote Or Die! t-shirts were in high demand and celebrities were all signing up to be spokespeople and push the message of voting and letting your voice be heard.

  The more I saw it on tv, the more I related it to my own life.

 For Diddy, it was all about the urgency and importance of voting.

For me, it will always be about the urgency and importance of Soca.

 I also made shirts that to this day, people are asking for. But I refused to stop there. I wanted to create a showcase. I thought outside of the box and spotlighted artists that wouldn't normally get that shine. Since April 2005,SOCA OR DIE! has been the most consistent concert series in Toronto.

The proof is in the pudding. With 3 sleeps to go till the last BIG fete of the year, let's take a look at the previous 9 SOCA OR DIE! events...

SOCA OR DIE! 1 on 1

April 2005

ft RUPEE with his Dot Com Band


 SOCA OR DIE! 2 FLOORS, 2 CONCEPTS, 2 VIBES, 2 FETES in 1

PAJAMA JAMMY JAM on one floor, FOAM FETE on the other

June 2005

ft H2O PHLO, BLAZER, BILLY D KID


SOCA OR DIE! 3 BIG ARTISTS

November 2005

ft LIL RICK, KERWIN DUBOIS, MR DJ and introducing MIGUEL



SOCA OR DIE! 4

Celebrating 10th Anniversary of Toronto-Lime

May 2006

ft DESTRA & ATLANTIK, MAXIMUS DAN, KES THE BAND


SOCA OR DIE! 5

November 2006

ft LIL RICK, PETER RAM, PROBLEM CHILD, BARRY CHANDLER, BENJAI,MR KILLA, KIMBERLY INNISS, ISAAC BLACKMAN, BIG ARTIST CREW(Michelle Sylvester, Terry Seales, Ms. Alysha, Nadia Batson, Mista Vybe), MR LEX aka LEXXUS

 

SOCA OR DIE! 6

"there is a passion that unites us all"

May 2007

ft DAVID RUDDER, KES THE BAND, NADIA BATSON, KERWIN DUBOIS,COLLIE BUDDZ


SOCA OR DIE! 7

"this is as big as it gets"

November 2007

ft KROSFYAH (Edwin Yearwood, Khiomal, Adrian Dutchin), LIL RICK,PROBLEM CHILD,  MR DALE, NADIA BATSON, TIZZY, RICKY T


 SOCA OR DIE! 8

"Battle Of The Sexes - the only fete to last 2 days!"

May 2008

ft DESTRA & ATLANTIK, BUNJI & ASYLUM, FAY ANN LYONS, IWER,NADIA BATSON, MAXIMUS DAN, TIZZY, KERWIN DUBOIS, FARM P

 

SOCA OR DIE! 9

"the best of the best" (YOU vote for who YOU want to see)

November 2008

ft SKINNY FABULOUS, DESTRA, LIL RICK, PROBLEM CHILD, BERBICE,TIZZY


   SOCA OR DIE!

*special CARIBANA FRIDAY edition*

July 2009

ft KES THE BAND, TRAFFIK (Sean Caruth, Eddie Charles),IWER, ZOELAH, NADIA BATSON, PROBLEM CHILD, LIL BITTS, SKINNY FABULOUS, SHAYNE BAILEY, SLAMMER CUTTER


After looking back, it's now time to prepare for what's to come...

In 9 days, we celebrate our LOVE for SOCA music.

In 9 days, it's the last BIG fete of the year.

In 9 days, it's SOCA OR DIE!

 The "SURPRISE" birthday party for myself, marXman, Nurse Karen, Sir Phillips and all Soca Scorpios.

In 9 days, the "SURPRISE" is for YOU!


SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7th 2009

KOOL HAUS

featuring performances by SURPRISE INTERNATIONAL SOCA SUPERSTARSalongside Toronto's own SLAMMER CUTTER and MS PAIGE


You've heard of the saying "In Jay We Trust", ent?

Well trust me when I say you will NOT be disappointed in who the SURPRISE SOCA SUPERSTARS will be in 9 days.

Real talk. I do this for the love. I could easily have advertised these artists and charged $10 more per ticket. These are some of the biggest names throughout the Caribbean and I would have been justified for the price increase. Times are tough all around and the artists agreed to take a pay cut in order to make it possible to charge only $25 in advance on the condition that it remains a surprise. People are driving from Montreal, Ottawa and even Cleveland for this big fete. In 9 days, I outdo myself. Just wait and see. Get your tickets now

-Dr. Jay

If you're in Toronto, I'll see you there. For the rest of you...I take it you finally understand why we call this place SOCA CITY! For more info on Dr. Jay visit him online at  www.DrJayOnline.com or follow him on Twitter

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen