Machel Montano Wins Road March Like Ah Boss!!!!
Machel Montano has now surpassed the late, great, Lord Kitchener as all time Road March King. Until Trinidad Carnival 2026, Machel Montano tied Lord Kitchener with eleven Road March wins.
This latest accomplishment by Machel Montano is comparable to LeBron James overtaking Kareem Abdul Jabbar, to become the man with the most points scored in NBA history.
Much like the four minute mile, until certain feats are done. It’s normal to assume that they never will be. Admittedly, without a Lord Kitchener, or a Super Blue, or definitely a Ras Shorty I. It would be impossible for a Machel Montano (as we now know him,) to exist.
Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants.
Put a different way, the artists that help create and lay the foundations of Calypso and Soca. Have ensured that these genres first existed. Which has then made it possible for the likes of Machel Montano, to then contribute to and elevate these genres.
Nevertheless, some of the credit has to go to Machel Montano and him alone. After all, like LeBron James, Machel having dedicated his life to what he does best, since childhood. Is part of the reason Machel has been able to accomplish his latest historic feat.
If there is any inspiration that the rest of us can draw from Machel and even LeBron’s story. It is to begin our journey’s as early as possible so that we can maximise our productivity and reach new echeleons in our endeavours, as soon as possible.
If anyone really said Machel was too young too Soca. Dr Montano has clearly got the last laugh by showing that he can Soca, Zouk, Calypso and then some!!!!
Furthermore, the reality is, Machel Montano has now become the bar, that perhaps, no other Soca artist will be able to touch. It already seemed unattainable when Lord Kitchener held the Road March record. However, Machel Montano is more or less in automatic contention for Road March every year.
All of which means, it is very possible that MM could win Road March another three more times and perhaps even more. If this is done, it is very possible that MM ends up keeping the all time Road March crown, for eternity. Suffice to say, that, would be a legacy fit for a king!!!!
What’s Next For MM????
However, the real question is: what is next for Machel Montano? What is a suitable challenge for MM to focus his energies on?
Well, having just finished Trinidad Carnival 2026. MM actually has his hands full right now because his main mission is to ensure that Trinidad Carnival as we know it, survives but also thrives!!!!
As Bunji Garlin famously sang, “I not going no small [or free] fete” is the energy that traditionally has captured the Spirit of Trini Carnival.
To be fair, some of us revellers low key have been feteing on a budget here and there from time to time. However, Trini Carnival this year, was a break from the norm. With free fetes low or high key, being the new (unexpected wave).
Machel’s job is twofold: leadership within Trinbagonian society in general and secondly within the context of music.
Blaxx once sang that this was no time to be a loner. Well, those words ring all the more true now. For Trinidad Carnival to be its usual top tier self, Trini revellers and feters, need to be able to afford to particpate in all the feteing and revelry.
As it now stands, Cropover and other Caribbean Carnivals are a threat to do what Machel just did to Lord Kitchener. It’s hard to think of a more worthy thing to fight for, than Trinidad Carnival. Machel already has being a Soca and Carnival ambassador on his resumé, however. It does feel that Trinidad Carnival is facing it’s greatest challenge yet. If MM can answer this challenge, it would prove to all Soca people, Machel’s worthiness to wear the crown.
Lastly, representing Soca to the world and proving to non Soca countries what Soca is. Is the only other challenge for MM to be mindful of. Dancehall Music kind of runs things, in the Motherland. Africans know, love and even create, their own brands of Dancehall and Reggae Music.
Is Machel capable of inspiring a similar love of Soca in Africa? This would be more than an altruistic mission. Spreading Soca in Africa is a lucrative move that also ensures that Machel stays ahead of his peers. Afro Soca has been a thing, but, less so nowadays.
Moreover, Europe, Japan, the US, Canada and countless other places. Would likely be receptive to a Soca infusion. The world clearly needs some help and what better way to do this, than with Soca?
