We All Have Flaws.
Detractors of Machel Montano love to point out Machel Montano’s flaws.
However, pointing out Machel Montano’s flaws is to some extent, besides the point. As all of us human beings have flaws. Moreover, why should or would we spend or waste time, discussing Machel Montano’s flaws when we could be discussing his many strengths and virtues.
Arguably, the cup is half full and we’re best served discussing Machel Montano’s greatness, rather than his flaws. Much like Tupac once articulated through his poem: The Rose That Grew From Concrete. We should celebrate the extraordinary rather than critique their flaws. After all, looking for what inspires us would likely serve us better than throwing stones, when we probably live in a glass house ourselves.
The Proof Is In The Music Of Machel Montano.
On the contrary, Machel Montano deserves credit for achieving all he has despite whatever flaws he may possess. Moreover, we are probably best served by letting Machel Montano speak for himself.
Someone else’s opinion could be right or wrong. However, by watching the Soca King perform live, you can get an idea of why Machel Montano has been a Soca Superstar from childhood until now. Lastly, you can make up your own mind and come to your own conclusion about the King Of Soca. (To read another article on Soca – click here.
Arguably, the purpose of music is to make people feel good. In the capitalistic world that we live in, we all can be priced out of purchasing certain things we desire.
However, when it comes to music. We all can kill two birds with one stone: we can get to feel good in a way that is supremely affordable for us. As a matter of fact, one of the best things about living in the Caribbean is, there is a high chance that your neighbor has a taste in music that you can keenly appreciate. (Even if their taste in music happens to be one of the only things about your neighbor that you appreciate loool).
Furthermore, as the Late, Great, Mighty Shadow once sang:
Therefore, if we judge Machel Montano by this criteria, (the criteria of creating music that makes people feel good). Then for all intents and purposes it would seem that Dr. Machel Montano deserves an A+ for all of his exceptional musical contributions.
Unfortunately, as always seems to be the case in the Caribbean. Some of Machel’s greatest critics seem to be his fellow Trinbagonians. However, when one simply remembers that Machel Montano has been doing his thing since he was too young to Soca, the bulk of the criticism aimed at Machel quickly begins to lose its power.
Furthermore, in August 2025, it very likely than many people have forgotten how great Machel was as a child. Too Young To Soca was just one of Machel’s contribution to Soca music, as a child. However, if Soca people go back and do their research they will see the many, many, great Soca songs that now seem forgotten about. That the child and teenager Machel Montano has given us.
Songs like Earthquake, I, Mother’s Child, School Days Soca, etc, etc. Plus there are many more precious Soca songs from early Machel Montano. If you are a Soca Music Lover, it is definitely worth you spending some time with early Machel Montano. One of the main takeaways you’ll probably arrive at after having done so is that Machel Montano is the Caribbean version or answer to Michael Jackson.
What Machel Montano & Michael Jackson Have In Common.
Now admittedly, Michael Jackson’s shoes are huge shoes to fill – even for Machel Montano however, there is a lot of truth to Machel being the Caribbean Michael Jackson.
The main similarity between Machel and Michael is firstly their first names. The name Machel is a variant of the name Michael. Moreover, the fact that Machel and Michael practically share the same name and both went on to become the respective Kings of their genres Soca and Pop is one way, the lives of these two excellent entertainers, mirror each other. Secondly both Machel and Michael were childhood prodigies that found Superstardom early. Finally, Machel’s vocals as a child prodigy definitely reminds anyone listening, of Michael Jackson.
Machel Montano, Global Soca Ambassador.
What is the one sign, of a True King? The King’s ability to positively impact his people. One of the first things we have to remember is Machel Montano helped save Soca music. Even up to a day like today, Soca music is (arguably) underappreciated in Trinidad and Tobago.
Arguably, Dancehall Music and Hip Hop Music is gets more of the love locally, that should be going to Soca Music. Especially, outside of Carnival season!!!! Soca always was a genre of music that was devised for local people to feel free. Which means Soca music, at its very core and essence is a non seasonal music. However, due to the popularity of Carnival and Soca’s association with Carnival, Soca is wrongly seen by many as a seasonal genre. Again, Carnival, is the only thing seasonal about Soca.
Nevertheless, the seasonal treatment of Soca, even within its homeland of Trinidad and Tobago is precisely why Machel Montano needs to be appreciated and valued. Without Machel Montano’s contribution to Soca, Soca Music would undoubtedly be in far less good shape, than it currently is in today.
Furthermore, Machel Montano is an Ambassador of Trinbago culture and even – Caribbean Culture as a whole!!!! Whether it is Steelpan, Calypso, Chutney, Zouk music, Bouyon Music, Reggae Music, Dancehall Music etc, etc, Machel Montano has both incorporated it into his sound and also represented for these aspects of Caribbean Culture on his platform.
Arguably, Machel Montano has represented for both Trinbagonian culture and Caribbean culture as a whole from day one in a way that is reminiscent of The Mighty Sparrow. Whether you consider yourself to be a Machel Montano fan or critic, Machel should get credit for his significant cultural contributions. For some Trinbagonians and other Caricom citizens, Machel Montano’s music has understood the assignment exceptionally well – of making them feel good.
Furthermore, Machel Montano’s versatility and willingness to accept and represent for various Caribbean cultures. Allows for people all over the Caribbean to feel good, feel seen, represented and connected to something bigger than themselves or even their respective countries. Machel Montano is a representation of Caribbean identity itself. By virtue of being a childhood prodigy Machel has been travelling the Caribbean since childhood. Which means the Caribbean diversity present in Machel’s music is an example of art reflecting real life. Suffice to say that Machel Montano’s legacy goes too far back and reaches too wide across for any criticism to be able to keep up.
So Much To Learn From Dr. Machel Montano.
Speaking of keeping up, can it be fairly said that DJ’s have kept up with Machel Montano’s greatness? As great as Machel is, why is it so rare to reach inside a fete and hear a DJ Throw down a Killer Machel Montano mix??? Surely, any DJ that plans to play a meaningful amount of Soca, should learn how to do this on Day one of learning how to DJ???
(The same is true of Dancehall DJ’s, day one should include y’all learning to do a fire Vybz Kartel mix, before y’all do anything else).
Now the World Boss is free, we thankfully hear more Vybz Kartel but still, can DJ’s please do a better job of giving flowers to our greats more often??? (Please and thanks).
Similarly, other Soca artists are probably guilty of trying to do things one hundred percent their way without seeking to learn anything from arguably the greatest Soca artist in history. That, is, insane. That’s like wanting to step into a car, without an instructor, to learn to drive yourself. Of course it can be done but wisdom would dictate that you learn from those who have been where you want to go and then apply those lessons your way. Finally. To end this paragraph with a (rhetorical) would Soca Monarch in Trinidad be where it is, if artists were doing their homework on Machel Montano?
For example, Machel’s career shows how important it is to be a good performer. When you YouTube Too Young To Soca – what you see is Machel Montano as a child in full performance mode – nappy, pram and all. Again, there’s Machel the Caribbean ambassador experimenting with practically every hot genre (sub genre) and artist out there. With so many Soca artists out there trying to achieve similar things and connect with a similar market, why is there so little collaboration between Soca artists?
The Passion Of Machel Montano.
Ultimately though, maybe other artists are just less passionate about Soca than Machel Montano. What Machel’s critics either forget, never knew or cared enough to mention is that Machel is always outside!!!! If you are really passionate about Soca, Carnival, Calypso etc, chances are you have experienced a Machel Montano sighting more than once!!!! Obviously this, makes, sense!!!! Arguably, you will bounce up the most successful man in Soca repeatedly because Machel really is about that Soca (and in general, Caribbean Culture) life.
Meanwhile less successful Soca artists have arguably given less and therefore receive less and are less visible.
Hopefully this article has helped you to see why Machel Montano is the King Of Soca. However, though, hopefully this article has helped you to see that even more than this, Machel is a Cultural ambassador of the entire Caribbean. King tings indeed.
