Trinidad and Tobago’s own Kes the Band has achieved a significant milestone in their quest to bring soca music to the global forefront, with their infectious hit single “Cocoa Tea” officially entering the running for a Grammy Award. The track has been submitted for consideration in the prestigious Best Global Music Performance category for the upcoming 2025 Grammy Awards, marking a pivotal moment for both the band and the broader Caribbean music landscape.
This prestigious consideration comes as the first round of voting by Recording Academy members is underway, a process that will determine the official nominees. For Kes the Band, led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, this recognition is a testament to years of dedication to elevating soca beyond its traditional Carnival confines and onto the world stage. The announcement has sent waves of excitement through the Caribbean music community, with many seeing it as a crucial step towards wider international acclaim for the vibrant genre.
A Global Stage for “Cocoa Tea”
Released in November 2024, “Cocoa Tea” has rapidly become a global sensation, transcending borders and topping charts across various platforms. The song has amassed millions of streams across YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music, and has gone viral on TikTok, demonstrating its broad appeal. Its success is further underscored by its performance on Shazam charts in numerous regions, highlighting its significant international traction. Produced by Tano, with key contributions from Mical Teja, KC Kasey, KP Musiq, and Ineffable Records, “Cocoa Tea” expertly blends Kes the Band’s signature soca rhythms with contemporary production, showcasing the genre’s versatility and universal language.
The Grammy category of Best Global Music Performance is designed to honor music from around the world that exhibits artistic achievement and overall excellence. For “Cocoa Tea” to be considered in this category signifies its impact and quality on an international scale. The band expressed profound gratitude to all the collaborators, producers, engineers, and musicians who contributed to the track, encapsulating their sentiment with the powerful message: “Soca music to the world.”
Kes the Band: Ambassadors of Caribbean Sound
Kes the Band has long been at the vanguard of promoting soca and wider Caribbean music culture. For over two decades, they have been instrumental in showcasing the energy, rhythm, and joy inherent in their musical heritage. The band’s mission extends beyond creating hit songs; it involves fostering a deeper global appreciation for the rich diversity of Caribbean artistry. Their performances, from intimate shows to massive stadium sell-outs like their historic double-header at New York’s SummerStage in July 2025, have consistently demonstrated their ability to connect with diverse audiences.
Their journey to this Grammy consideration is built on a foundation of consistent international touring and a commitment to blending soca with other genres such as pop, rock, reggae, and afrobeats, thereby creating music that resonates with a global audience. “Cocoa Tea” itself is seen as a cultural touchstone, evoking warm memories and traditions, with KES acting as a cultural ambassador who presents authentic heritage in a contemporary, globally appealing package.
Soca’s Ascent in the Global Music Arena
The recognition of “Cocoa Tea” comes at a time when global music genres are gaining more visibility and dedicated categories within major award ceremonies. While soca has historically faced challenges in breaking into mainstream Western awards, often being confined to diasporic communities or heavily associated with Carnival seasons, recent years have seen a push for greater inclusion. The Recording Academy has expanded its categories to better reflect the global music scene, including the introduction of specific global and African music categories, which has paved the way for genres like Afrobeats to achieve significant recognition.
Kes the Band is not the only Trinidad and Tobago act seeking Grammy recognition for the 2025 awards. Several other artists from the twin-island republic, spanning genres from jazz to R&B and other global music performances, have also earned consideration. This collective recognition underscores the burgeoning international influence of Trinidad and Tobago’s diverse music scene and the growing ambition of its artists to compete on the world stage. Historically, Trinidad and Tobago has had artists like Billy Ocean and Heather Headley achieve Grammy success, and this new wave of consideration for contemporary artists signifies a continuous evolution and growing global reach.
A Turning Point for the Genre?
While a Grammy nomination or win is still to be confirmed, the very fact of “Cocoa Tea” being under consideration represents a significant achievement for soca music. It places the genre on a more prominent international platform, potentially opening doors for wider acceptance and a more permanent place in global music conversations. This development is particularly meaningful as it acknowledges the genre’s artistic merit and its capacity for broad appeal.
The Minister of Culture and Community Development of Trinidad and Tobago has extended congratulations to the artists, highlighting this achievement as a testament to the nation’s “artistic spirit” and its music’s ability to “reach audiences across the globe.” The sentiment of “Soca music to the world” resonates strongly, emphasizing the genre’s potential to unite people through its distinctive rhythm and celebratory nature.
This moment serves as powerful motivation for artists, producers, and stakeholders across the Caribbean, reinforcing the belief that their unique sounds are worthy of global recognition. The journey for soca music to achieve consistent international accolades is ongoing, but Kes the Band’s “Cocoa Tea” has undeniably carved out a significant new chapter in this pursuit. The band’s dedication to authenticity and their consistent efforts to share their culture have paved the way, reminding the world that Caribbean music is a vibrant force to be reckoned with year-round.