Jason Rosteing, known professionally as Dr. Jay de Soca Prince, is a Canadian DJ, radio show host, record producer, and promoter. He gained notoriety as the host of Soca Therapy,[1] a weekly Toronto radio show broadcast on CFXJ-FM Flow 93.5 FM,[2] and subsequently, CKFG-FM G98.7 FM.[3] He is considered an icon in the Canadian Caribbean diaspora for playing soca music on mainstream radio, hosting large soca events in and around Toronto, and cultivating a thriving "soca scene" within the Greater Toronto Area.[4]
Early life
Jason Rosteing grew up in the Greater Toronto Area, and hailed from a family of mixed Caribbean heritage. His mother, Dianna Rosteing (1950-2022),[5] was born in Georgetown, Guyana. His father, Michael Rosteing, was born in Trinidad.[6] His uncle, Clive Rosteing, was a member of the Trinidadian calypso band, The Tradewinds.[7] He has a younger sister, Myana.[5]
Rosteing developed his interest in music due to the musical influence of his parents. His earliest memories include his father, who was a former musician, singing and dancing around him. His parents also showed him how to use record players as a young child.[8]
Before becoming a radio personality, Rosteing wanted to become a social worker in order to make a difference in his community.[8]
Career
Radio
In 2001, Dr. Jay de Soca Prince began his career as a radio show host and DJ on Flow 93.5FM.[8] Every Sunday evening from 6-8pm EST, Dr. Jay de Soca Prince played a combination of soca, calypso, and kaiso - alongside other genres of Caribbean music - on his show, Soca Therapy.[2] On February 2, 2011, Soca Therapy was taken off the airwaves alongside other popular radio shows due to CTV's purchase of Flow 93.5FM.[9]
Soca Therapy shortly found its new home on Fitzroy Gordon's new radio station, G 98.7 FM, four months later.[10] However, on January 24, 2014, Dr. Jay de Soca Prince announced his resignation.[11] On March 23, 2014, Soca Therapy was back on the Toronto airwaves via CHRY 105.5 FM.[12]
On October 28, 2020, Dr. Jay de Soca Prince returned to Flow 93.5. FM.[13] He continued on as a radio show host and DJ for Soca Therapy until Flow 93.5 FM was sold to G 98.7 FM on February 14, 2022.[14]
Podcasts
On February 6, 2022, Dr. Jay de Soca Prince launched Soca Therapy as an online podcast available on Apple Podcast.[15][16] On August 2, 2023, he partnered with Spotify to curate a "Carnival Sounds" playlist for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.[6]
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Toronto DJ of the Year | Won[17] | |
1999 | Toronto DJ of the Year | Won[17][18] | |
2001 | Canadian Urban Music Awards | Best Radio/Media Personality | Nominated[18] |
2002 | Canadian Urban Music Awards | Best Radio/Media Personality | Won[18][19] |
2003 | Canadian Urban Music Awards | Best Radio/Media Personality | Nominated |
2004 | Canadian Urban Music Awards | Best Radio/Media Personality | Nominated |
2005 | Soca Awards Organization | International Soca DJ of the Year | Won[17][18] |
2006 | Soca Awards Organization | International Soca DJ of the Year | Won[19][17][18] |
DJ Stylus Awards | Soca DJ of the Year | Won[17][18] | |
2007 | DJ Stylus Awards | Soca DJ of the Year | Won[17][18] |
2008 | DJ Stylus Awards | Soca DJ of the Year | Won[17][18] |
2009 | DJ Stylus Awards | Soca DJ of the Year | Won[20] |
References
- ↑ Weekes, Jabbari (2015-10-27). "Exploring the History of 'O.T.A. Live': Toronto's Most Beloved Radio Show". Vice. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- 1 2 Higgins, Dalton (2001-08-02). "Six months of FLOW 93.5 - NOW Magazine". NOW Toronto. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- ↑ "T.O. pioneer, Dr. Jay brings "Soca Therapy" to new radio station". Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- ↑ "'It's not just for Trinidadians': Dr. Jay de Soca Prince on the evolution of soca music". CBC Radio. 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- 1 2 Camera Inc, The Caribbean (2022-02-03). "Caribbean cultural stalwart Dianna Rosteing dies at 71". The Caribbean Camera. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- 1 2 LeBlanc, Robin (2023-08-02). "Spotify Celebrates Toronto's Caribbean Carnival With Specially Curated Carnival Sounds Playlists". Spotify. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ The Tradewinds - Sounds Caribbean, 2022-03-29, retrieved 2023-10-23
- 1 2 3 "LargeUp Interview: Dr. Jay De Soca Prince is Toronto's Carnival King". LargeUp. 2014-07-31. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ↑ Reporter, Ashante Infantry Entertainment (2011-02-02). "CTV takes over Flow 93.5 FM". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ "Fitzroy Gordon beats all odds to launch G98.7". Canadian Immigrant. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ "An Announcement For Soca Therapy Listeners". www.icontact-archive.com. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ "Dr Jay de Soca Prince - SOCA THERAPY HAS A NEW HOME - CHRY 105.5. TUNE IN, TONIGHT! (Now also available on Rogers Cable, Bell Fibe, as well as online and via the Tune In Mobile App.) | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ SocaPrince, Dr. Jay de. "Dr. Jay de Soca Prince Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ "Flow 93.5 changes its tune after more than 20 years on Toronto airwaves - Toronto | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ SocaPrince, Dr. Jay de (2022-03-09). "Dr. Jay de Soca Prince Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ "Dr. Jay de Soca Prince's De Prescription Podcast on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Ilovecarnivall interviews Dr. Jay of Toronto; De Soca Prince!!!". I Love Carnival. 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Trini Jungle Juice: Dr. Jay de Soca Prince Profile". www.trinijunglejuice.com. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- 1 2 "FLOW 93.5 axes Dr Jay's Soca Therapy". Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ "SOCAPRINCE". APK Tools. Retrieved 2023-11-03.