Five years ago, it would have been difficult to imagine a Bermuda carnival season without relying almost entirely on music from elsewhere in the Caribbean.

The fetes were packed, the energy was there and the road was moving. But when it came to the soundtrack, the biggest songs were typically coming from Trinidad, Barbados, Grenada, St Vincent and Jamaica. Today, that picture is starting to change.

As Carnival In Bermuda has grown, so too has a new generation of local artists creating music specifically for the season. Their songs are finding their way into DJ sets, playlists, parties and, increasingly, the hearts of carnival-goers themselves.

No one is claiming Bermuda has fully found its soca sound yet. In fact, the artists helping build the movement are the first to admit they're still figuring it out. But what is undeniable is that local soca has momentum.

From Fire Wayne and Aalai to Ponaflex and a growing list of emerging performers, Bermudian artists are becoming a bigger part of the soundtrack to Bermuda's biggest celebration.

Fire Wayne: Building towards the moment

For Fire Wayne, this season feels like the payoff from years of consistency.

“I had a five-year plan to put out a song a year for five years and make sure the song gets heard and does its thing for that year.”

This year, he's pushing Influence of Carnival, a track inspired by the experience of Bermuda carnival itself.

“That feeling that we have when we're going to parties, being at parties, hitting the road, J'Ouvert, this song gives you all of that.”

The season also marks one of the biggest moments of his career so far. During carnival weekend he will headline U Lot, a new event created by DJ Rusty G that puts Bermudian soca artists front and centre.

For an artist who has spent years steadily building a catalogue and audience, the significance isn't lost on him.

“It's exciting to be doing my own show that's never been done in Bermuda by a soca artist. I'm excited to give people a real show, a real production show. It's setting a standard. We can do more, but nothing less than this.”

While he's proud of how far the local scene has come, Fire Wayne believes Bermuda is still developing a sound that is uniquely its own.

“Our sound and energy, I feel like right now we are still finding it. We're going in the right direction. People are feeling it.”

For him, the future lies in blending Bermuda's own cultural influences with traditional soca.

“Until we get that mix of island, Gombey, soca and something mixed in with that moderate tempo, we'll find our sound.”

And while he is excited to hear Influence of carnival playing throughout the weekend, there is one moment he's anticipating above all else.

“What I'm looking forward to is U Lot, to see the amount of people who come out to support the local artists. Anything after that is a bonus.”

Aalai: Bringing a Bermudian voice to soca

If Fire Wayne represents persistence and growth, Aalai represents one of the newest and most exciting voices in Bermuda's soca scene.

Now entering her second carnival season as a recording artist, she is releasing three songs this year: Work, Anchor Down and Feelin' Ah Feelin'.

Of the three, it's Feelin' Ah Feelin' that she believes captures Bermuda most authentically.

“I believe it captures Bermuda. It's lyrically clever, it uses our slang and our unique vernacular.”

“It's a nice follow-up to Dum Da Da for all ages and all generations.”

That connection to Bermuda is intentional. While many artists look outward for inspiration, Aalai believes the island's uniqueness is one of its greatest strengths.

“I think Bermudians truly are unique. Our accent makes us unique. Our culture makes us unique. In this day and age where everybody tries to duplicate someone else if something becomes trendy, our uniqueness and individuality is what sets us apart.”

For Aalai, the growth of local soca represents more than just new music. It represents another reason for Bermudians to feel proud of their culture and creativity.

“Coming into my second season as a soca artist, I think it's allowing Bermudians to have something else to be proud of. We've had artists come out over the years and it's allowed us to get a taste of creativity.”

She's also encouraged by the way local music is helping expand the audience for soca itself.

“People say they didn't listen to soca but love my music. That's what I'm looking forward to.”

As carnival approaches, the thought of hearing her music played across the island still feels surreal.

“If I'm afforded the opportunity to hear all four songs at carnival or at a party, I could probably cry. In this industry, no one's obligated to play your music.

“I want to see people enjoying it. I want to see people dancing to it and singing it. Other people's reactions are my favourite.”

Ponaflex: Celebrating the movement

For Ponaflex, one of the defining characteristics of Bermuda's soca scene is its diversity.

While he's often associated with groovy soca and frequently compared to Kes, he says his music spans multiple styles.

“I would describe my sound as pretty diverse. I give a range of different styles of soca. Although I'm predominantly known for being a groovy artist and being compared to Kes a lot, I'm on Dennery-style beats and power soca too.”

This season he's promoting several tracks, including Caribbean Woman, Jam on Ya and Takeover.

The latter represents a new chapter for him musically.

“It's my first big power soca song and I've been getting a lot of good reception for that. It brings the energy.”

Like Fire Wayne, Ponaflex believes Bermuda is still discovering exactly what its contribution to the genre will be.

“The sound that Bermudians bring to carnival is very diverse. I think we're trying to figure out our sound and everyone is trying to contribute in their unique way.”

Rather than viewing the scene through a competitive lens, he sees a community of artists pushing each other forward.

“Fire Wayne is always bringing the heat. He has up-tempo beats in collaboration with Rusty G.”

“Aalai has come out and really taken over the scene. She has the vocal range, the moves and the stage presence. What she's doing is incredible.

“A lot of people right now are contributing and stepping forward.”

For Ponaflex, that's perhaps the most exciting part of this moment.

As carnival approaches, he's looking forward to hearing local music woven throughout the weekend.

“I enjoy carnival in its entirety. There's not an event I enjoy more than the other. I love the atmosphere. I love being home for carnival and that this exists in Bermuda.

“I'm definitely looking forward to hearing my songs on the road and at J'Ouvert and being able to perform at events this year.”

A Growing Soundtrack

Whether it's Fire Wayne building towards a five-year vision, Aalai bringing Bermuda's slang and culture into her music or Ponaflex experimenting across multiple soca styles, one thing is clear: Bermudian soca artists are no longer on the sidelines of Carnival in Bermuda. They're becoming part of the soundtrack. And with every season, that soundtrack sounds a little more Bermudian.