A Legacy. A War. A Masterclass in Music Management.
Soca Gods Soca Devils
The untold story of Ian Pantin, the strategist behind the stars—who shaped icons, shattered boundaries, and lit the path for tomorrow’s soca leaders.
Ian Pantin
The Author
Ian Pantin is a cultural architect who helped redefine soca from street stage to global stage. From founding IP Music International to managing titans like Bunji Garlin, Ian has lived the high-stakes life of music management. He’s also an entrepreneur, actor, coffee shop founder, and lifelong learner whose journey spans continents, contracts, and crises.
This book is his truth—and his gift to the next generation.
A Personal Note from the Author
I didn’t set out to write a book. I set out to make sense of a journey.
For years, I stood behind the spotlight—building, negotiating, protecting, pushing. I saw the beauty of Soca and the darkness that often came with it. I witnessed the rise of legends and the breaking of bonds. I celebrated wins that made Caribbean history… and endured betrayals that almost broke me. Soca Gods, Soca Devils was born out of all of it—the triumphs, the trauma, the truths I could no longer carry alone.
But more than anything, I wrote this for the next generation. For the dreamers walking into this business with fire in their bellies but no blueprint in their hands. I wanted to give you the manual I never had. The lessons, the pitfalls, the tools. The reminder that passion needs structure, and vision needs strategy.
This is not just my story. It’s the story of a music culture still fighting to be seen and respected on its own terms. It’s for every young manager, artist, promoter, and creative who knows they’re meant to do more—and just needs the right map.
I wrote this book to pass the torch. And I wrote it so that no matter what happens next, the legacy will remain.
— Ian Pantin
More than a Memoir
Soca Gods, Soca Devils is more than a memoir. It’s a blueprint, a confessional, and a battle cry for every manager, artist, and cultural warrior navigating the Caribbean music industry. Spanning over two decades, it dives into the triumphs, betrayals, backroom deals, and soul-searching that shaped the soca scene—and the man behind some of its biggest stars. You’ll uncover: • How international deals were won and lost • The inner workings of the Soca Monarch machine • Personal stories of pain, passion, and redemption • A digital toolkit for aspiring managers and artists.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
For decades, Soca’s beat has thrived on tradition and innovation, pulsing through Carnival’s streets and beyond. Soca Gods, Soca Devils celebrates this rich heritage by sharing the story of a legendary Soca manager, his successes, and hard-earned lessons. This site serves as a living archive: a place to honor those who laid the foundation of our vibrant culture and to learn from their journey. In reading this memoir and blueprint, you will see how the past informs the future – and how the torch of leadership is being carried forward.
Your Blueprint for the Future
The journey doesn’t stop at stories. On this site, you’ll find a wealth of digital resources — a complete digital toolkit of downloadable templates and guides, including:
– Management And Performance Agreements templates
– Riders templates
– Branding & Digital Strategy templates
– Industry Agreements and Partnerships templates
– Touring & Road Management Tools templates
– Checklists templates
– Case studies and best-practice samples inspired by top Soca events
These tools are tailored specifically for Soca managers and creatives. They transform the memoir’s hard-won wisdom into practical strategies for success, helping you build a sustainable career in Caribbean music.
Empowerment and Inspiration
At Soca Gods, Soca Devils, we believe in empowering the next generation. This is your space to absorb guidance, ignite your creativity, and take bold strides forward. The veterans of Soca have lit the way – now you hold the flame. Embrace this legacy with confidence and clarity: with the insights of the past and the resources of today, the future of Soca is in your hands. Together, let’s honour our heritage and build the next chapter of Caribbean music. Welcome to Soca Gods, Soca Devils — where heritage meets innovation.
Buy the Book
Soca Gods, Soca Devils is available now:
Local Retailers – coming soon
Signed Collector’s Edition – limited release Orders: Contact us for customized packages.
Bulk and Educational Orders: Contact us for customized packages.
Get a Free Coffee When You Join the Java Nation Book Club
Upcoming Readings & Events
October 25th
Java Nation
Port Of Spain, Trinidad @ 7:00pm
Launch & Book Signing
Join us October 25th at 7 PM at Java Nation in Port of Spain, Trinidad for the launch and book signing of Ian Pantin’s Soca Gods Soca Devils. RSVP now! Spaces limited!
Oct 31st
Java Nation
Piarco, Trinidad @ 6pm
Live Reading
Join us for a spine‑tingling live reading of Ian Pantin’s Soca Gods Soca Devils on October 31st at 6 PM at Java Nation. Refreshments provided. Free to attend, but RSVP is required. Don’t miss this hauntingly immersive evening!
Their Words His Legacy
"Without Ian’s persistence, strategic insight, and cultural intuition, the Bunji Garlin signing might never have happened.”
— Edwin Howell, Managing Director/A&R Director, VP Records
“We had total confidence in his ability to execute… representing T&T’s Culture and passion for the Arts.”
— Arlene Holman, CARIFESTA XIV
“He was never just a manager—he was a cultural architect.”
— Signal, 96.1 FM
Media
• Book Ian Pantin: Want Ian Pantin at your next panel, lecture, or podcast?
• Media Kit available upon request
Reader's Lounge
This space is for you—the fans, the students, the dreamers. Share your thoughts, reflections, and reviews. Read behind-the-scenes notes, deleted chapter excerpts, and bonus insights from the book.
“The Mic is Yours – Step Into the Story, Share Your Voice, Your Truth, Your Chapter”
- Which chapter hit you the hardest—and why? Send me your story.
- Have you ever had to choose between friendship and business? What did you learn from it?
- If you could ask me one question about the music industry or artist management, what would it be?
- Which part of my journey reminded you of your own?
- After reading the book, what’s one mindset shift you’ve made about your career or creative path?
- Who in the book did you relate to most—and why?
- What part of the Soca industry do you think still needs a revolution?
- If you had to write the next chapter of Soca Gods, Soca Devils, what would it be titled?
Toolkit and Downloads
Your Career Deserves Clarity
The Soca Gods, Soca Devils Digital Blueprint Toolkit includes editable templates and resources from Chapters 46–54. Use the QR code on the last page of Chapter 45 to unlock:
• Management Agreement, Booking Confirmation Letter and Performance Contract
• Hospitality & Tech Riders
• Gig-Day Checklists
• Do’s and Don’ts
• Business Tools
• Industry Agreements & Partnerships
• Branding & Digital Strategy
• Touring & Road Management Tools
• Crisis & Conflict Management
• Negotiation Guides
These templates are meant to be customized—tailor them to your vision, but always seek legal review before execution.
Build smart. Move intentional. Win with clarity.