Sherman De Vries: The St. Martin-Born Production Mastermind Behind “Lost in Trinbago”
As Carnival 2026 winds down, one song continues to build momentum across the Caribbean and diaspora. Lost in Trinbago has been gaining strength well beyond the season, and at the center of the record is St. Martin-born creative Sherman de Vries, widely seen as the mastermind behind the project.
For Sherman, the track represents a major step. While he has long been active in Caribbean music circles, Lost in Trinbago marks his first official entry into soca. Having spent years living in Amsterdam and working in Afro house and Caribbean party scenes across Europe, he decided in 2026 to step into the genre and contribute directly to the Carnival sound that influenced him for years. Inspired by the energy of Caribbean events overseas and his frequent visits to Trinidad during Carnival, Sherman returned to the studio determined to create something that captured the feeling of being immersed in Trinbago.
The concept began with Sherman and was then shaped through collaboration. One of the key early influences on the track came from Zebee, who helped guide the cultural direction of the song. During the creative process, Zebee helped Sherman understand the importance of the term “Trinbago,” explaining why the name needed to represent both Trinidad and Tobago as one. That guidance helped ground the record culturally and gave the song its now-recognisable title and identity.
Mela Caribe’s involvement also came from a connection that existed long before the song was created. She had already met Sherman on a Carnival cruise and the two had spoken about collaborating on music at some point. When the Lost in Trinbago idea began taking shape, that existing relationship made it natural for her to join the project. Her vocals added melodic strength and energy, helping to round out the record and bring a performance element that resonated with listeners.
DJ Private Ryan also played a major role in the song’s development. He served as executive producer on the track and handled the mixing, helping shape the overall sonic direction and presentation of the record. His involvement helped position the song within the evolving global soca sound while maintaining its Caribbean core.
Additional support came from Monk Music and other contributors involved in the writing and development process, helping refine the final version of the song and push it toward release. The collaboration between Sherman and the team created a track that blends influences from across the Caribbean while staying rooted in the Trinbago experience.
Although Sherman is from St. Martin, he and his collaborators have made it clear that soca is embraced across the wider Caribbean. Many islands grow up surrounded by the same music, festivals, and cultural traditions. Lost in Trinbago reflects that shared identity, celebrating Trinidad and Tobago while also highlighting how Caribbean artists across the region connect through Carnival and sound.
Since its release, the track has continued to rise rather than fade after Carnival. DJs have kept it in rotation and audiences have connected with its message of being fully immersed in the energy of Trinbago. For Sherman de Vries, stepping into soca for the first time has quickly become a defining moment, positioning him as a creative force behind one of the season’s most talked-about collaborations.
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