Big News for the Caribbean

Kes the Band’s “Cocoa Tea” Earns Grammy Consideration, Marking a Milestone for Soca Music

Trinidad and Tobago’s powerhouse soca group Kes the Band has officially entered the Grammy Awards race. Their hit single “Cocoa Tea” is under consideration in the Best Global Music Performance category — a major step forward in the band’s ongoing mission to bring soca music to the world stage.

The announcement, shared via the band’s official Facebook page, comes as the Recording Academy’s first round of voting for this year’s nominees is underway, running through October 15. A nomination would mark a historic achievement for Kes and a defining moment for Caribbean music’s international visibility.

Produced by Tano and featuring contributions from Mical Teja, KC Kasey, Kp Musiq, and Ineffable Records, “Cocoa Tea” blends the infectious pulse of soca with fresh, modern production. The track exemplifies the genre’s evolution — a vibrant fusion of Caribbean rhythm and global appeal.

Led by frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, Kes has been a pioneering force in redefining soca’s reach. Beyond the Carnival stage, the band has performed at major festivals and concerts worldwide, staying true to its mission of elevating Caribbean culture through music.

In their statement accompanying the Grammy consideration announcement, the group expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the production, saying:

“Soca music to the world.”

If “Cocoa Tea” secures a nomination, it will join a growing list of Caribbean works recognized by the Grammys — a testament to the region’s enduring and expanding influence on global music.

Fans quickly flooded Kes’s social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating the band’s milestone and sharing optimism that this could be the moment soca takes its well-deserved place on music’s biggest stage.