Folklore Riddim – Advokit Productions

Folklore Riddim came through AdvoKit Productions in 2017, and it sits a little differently from the harder-edged dancehall sets that usually get filed in the crate. This one has a bright, fete-friendly Trinidad pulse running through it, with a light, melodic bounce that gives the whole thing a soca sheen without losing the riddim format.

Kitwana Israel’s AdvoKit outfit had already earned a name in Trinidad and Tobago for sharp seasonal juggling, and Folklore continued that run with a small but very focused slate. The release pairs the instrumental with KES’s “Hello, ” Sekon Sta’s “Aye Yo, ” and Turner’s “Holding On, ” all three songs landing in late 2017. KES brought the widest reach; “Hello” became one of his most recognizable modern soca records and gave the riddim its biggest lift. Sekon Sta, one of Trinidad’s sharper contemporary voices, keeps his cut playful and rhythmic, while Turner’s “Holding On” adds a smoother, more reflective touch.

What makes the riddim work is the contrast between the groove and the vocal approaches. The production has a clean, rolling feel, with enough space for melody, hooks, and the kind of call-and-response energy that travels well in Carnival season. It is not a heavy bashment piece; it’s more of a crossover carnival riddim that moves easily between dancehall and soca crowds. In AdvoKit’s catalogue, it sits neatly beside their other Trinidad-forward projects, with the same instinct for songs that can live in the street and on the road.