In a strategic move within the competitive soca music landscape, New York-based artist Leonce Taylor has unveiled two distinct tracks for the 2026 Carnival season—marking her first dual release strategy. The calculated gamble demonstrates Taylor’s evolving approach to navigating an industry where emerging artists must balance risk with opportunity.
Her groovy soca offering, ‘His Loss,’ emerged from an unexpected collaboration with acclaimed songwriter Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop following their meeting at the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards. Produced by Daddy O Productionz, Rugz Dirty Inc and Rhythym Productionz, the track delivers an empowering message for women overcoming breakups. Taylor describes the creative process as ‘mechanical’ and ‘effortless,’ with the song achieving steady radio play since its October release despite her geographic distance from Trinidad and Tobago’s core soca market.
Complementing this is her power soca entry ‘Ready Up,’ created through collaboration with producer Alexander Gooding of Lunatix Productions and songwriter Umi Marcano. This track represents a vocal breakthrough for Taylor, pushing her range into higher registers and drawing comparisons to legendary soca vocalist Destra Garcia for its tonal qualities.
Taylor’s artistic journey reflects both cultural preservation and professional determination. Migrating to the United States at age nine, she maintained strong connections to her Trinidadian musical roots despite growing up in a foreign environment. Her father, a music promoter who worked with renowned calypso bands, insisted she complete her education before pursuing music professionally—a condition she fulfilled by earning a psychology degree with minors in English and French.
Now balancing motherhood, a full-time job, and pastry chef credentials alongside her music career, Taylor acknowledges the significant sacrifices required—particularly for women in the industry. She faces extended annual tours across Trinidad, St Vincent, Grenada, Belize, and multiple U.S. states while managing familial responsibilities.
Yet the rewards justify the risks: a single performance can generate earnings equivalent to a week’s salary at her regular job. Beyond financial incentives, Taylor emphasizes the transcendent experience of connecting with audiences through music—the collective energy of raised hands and shared joy that makes the struggle worthwhile. Her dual release strategy represents both a personal gamble and professional evolution in an industry where relevance demands constant innovation.