Machel Montano By. Machel Montano
TRINIDAD — Mega Soca artist Machel Montano said recently that this year's Machel Monday, set for February 17, will be the last. Mr. Montano has been deemed by many as the Caribbean's Michael Jackson in terms of popularity and music, and Machel Monday has become one of the biggest Caribbean concerts since it started ten years ago.
Performing at this year's Black 2 Blue event on Saturday, one of Trinidad Carnival's first fetes of 2020, Mr. Montano paused to reminisce on his storied journey. "Allyuh eh find Machel in this business long enough? I am 45, and allyuh is meh real friends, we grow up together. I gonna let you know this, 2020 is Machel Monday 10. It started in 2011, allyuh remember the Return? That was 2011 to now... I just want to tell allyuh this, ah love allyuh, but yuh see Machel Monday 10, this is going to be the finale. This is going to be it. 10. Perfect 10," he said.
The hitmaker has dominated the Soca industry for as long as many can remember. As a child, he was a wunderkind, leaving his mark early with "Too Young To Soca". The King of Soca has dropped hit after hit over the decades, winning 7 road march victories in the home of Soca, Trinidad, in the last nine years. The legendary artist has also thrust the Soca genre forward with important collaborations with Major Lazer, Ariana Grande, Ashanti, and more. Mr. Montano also brought an energetic performance to the 2019 Essence Festival — again broadening the reach of Soca music.
As for the Machel Monday 10, if history is to be any indication, and with this year's event being the grand finale, expect an explosive show with big names from around the world to grace the Hasely Crawford Stadium stage on February 17.
