Young Soca artiste Yung Kymani is preparing to take centre stage at the Junior Soca Monarch finals on 10 February, bringing renewed confidence and a strong focus on preserving Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural sound.

The 12-year-old entertainer is among the finalists set to perform at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), where he will appear in position number eight.

His entry, titled Link Up, reflects his commitment to promoting the authenticity of soca music while connecting with younger audiences.

Despite narrowly missing a place in the Junior Calypso Monarch finals this year after reaching the semi-final stage, the rising performer remains focused on growth rather than accolades.

Kymani said his main goal is to produce music that resonates beyond competition stages and stands the test of time.

His mother, Kezia Hector, praised her son’s dedication and discipline as he balances his musical ambitions with academic responsibilities ahead of the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examinations in March.

“He is preparing for the SEA exam in March and he has been balancing his studies and his music very well. He told me that he is focused on making quality music and his new single, ‘Link Up’ was created based on that mindset,” she explained.

The song, written by Kymani, his mother and Nigel Lopez, celebrates the cultural diversity of Trinidad and Tobago and highlights various musical influences rooted in the country’s carnival traditions.

“The song is mid-groovy and it’s all about the culture, the music, the events, the carnival vibes and all else carnival. There’s a dual meaning as well, since the musical styles in the song are varied. There is a little Calypso, Soca, rhythm section and dub,” said Hector.

She added that the song aims to maintain the authenticity of traditional soca while appealing to a wide audience.

“The song is really a poem and it’s written with a poetic flow. It’s done in a way that everyone can enjoy,” she explained. “We really wanted to address the fact that Soca is sounding a bit different now- more like RnB, and we wanted to bring back the original sound of our music,” she added.

Hector also addressed ongoing discussions about the global evolution of soca music, noting that while international recognition such as a Grammy award would be welcomed, maintaining the genre’s cultural roots remains a priority.

“We are making every attempt to help our son stay close to the true energy of Soca music. Kymani is very versatile and he can pivot outside of the carnival season,” she said.

Kymani previously placed second in the 2025 Junior Soca Monarch competition with his reimagined version of Too Young to Soca, titled Soca in Meh. 

He credits soca superstar Machel Montano as a major inspiration and hopes to follow in the artiste’s footsteps by sharing his music with global audiences.

“This year my goals also include reaching more people around the world with my music and building a bigger fan base,” he said.

Hector emphasised the importance of maintaining her son’s confidence and mental wellbeing regardless of competition results.

“As a parent you have to encourage them and even if they don’t win, we have to explain the importance of trusting in God always,” she said.

The young performer’s participation in this year’s competition also reflects a broader effort to encourage youth involvement in Trinidad and Tobago’s entertainment sector.

“We are hoping that people his age who are in the entertainment sector, can pick up the mantle and push the culture, and that’s why we are sticking to the sound of our music,” said Hector. “I do think there are a lot of young people, Kymani’s age, who do enjoy the music of our country, however these children are not showcased enough. They need to do a better job of showcasing the youths to encourage them. We can’t just stop at Machel Montano or Terri Lyons. There are so many talented youths out there. You can’t keep the focus only on 5 or 10 artistes,” she reinforced.