“The man with the hottest pen in soca music” is also a frontrunner for the Roadmarch with his fan favourite hit.
This is the second year Teja has competed in the competition hosted by the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) on Tuesday night at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah. Teja has been garnering a tsunami of fans as his hit DNA dominates the music charts.
The song is also favourite with steelbands: Defending Panorama champions Bp Renegades Steel Orchestra’s rendition of “DNA” won the Panorama semifinals on Sunday. Both T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps and Desperadoes Steel Orchestra also played the song.
In the Junior Panorama, the song also featured in the finals played by Bethlehem Girl’s C School and Fonclaire Juniors in the Under 21 Category – with both bands placing 5th in their categories.
DNA has resonated with fans because of its sweet and melodious ode to Caribbean identity. According to an official release “It describes in perfect detail how we celebrate, express ourselves and the uniqueness that makes us who and what we are. He creates that euphoric atmosphere whilst also singing in a poetic tone that strikes on the heart strings of the listener from the line of the song. From the mix of live instrumentation with a futuristic pop like feel, DNA has all the emotions as the perfect pick me up song to get your day started.”
He described himself as “a humble youth from Gonzales, Belmont, who loves music and culture” in a 2023 interview with Essiba Small, his evolution as a bonafide megastar has been phenomenal.
Michael Mondezie tagged him as the “man with the hottest pen in soca music”.
Teja first drew attention at age 15, when he wrote “Carry On” for Soca superstar Destra Garcia, which went on to place in the International Soca Monarch Finals. He has subsequently produced and written music for a multitude of performers across the Caribbean such Machel Montano, Kevin Lyttle, Kerwin Du Bois, Kes The Band, Shurwayne Winchester, Patrice Roberts, Nailah Blackman and much more.
In 2022, his hit “Dingolay” featuring Nailah Blackman made waves across the world. He is also the writer of Patrice Roberts’ internationally acclaimed “Mind my Business”. This song has been being sung and enjoyed by celebrities such as Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child and much more. He also co-wrote and produced “Shake The Place” Ft. Nicki Minaj which continues to be popular in the carnival circuit globally.
2023 twas breakout year for Mical with two hit singles, “Hall of Fame” and “Mas Come Again”.
2024 appears to his year to emerge with even more success with “DNA’ and “Runaway”, his ode and sequel to Explainer’s “Lorraine”.
Teja’s victory follows his qualification into the Calypso Monarch semi-final’s along with Machel Montano.
2024 Young Kings Full Results
- 1. Mical Teja (Mical Williams) – “DNA”
- 2. Caston Cupid – “Straight From the Heart”
- 3. Pharaoh (Dawren Greenidge) – “Ah Doh Want To Do It”
- 4. Slick (Hammond Bruce) – “Trinidad Is Not A Real Place”
- 5. Andre Nelson – “Trinidad Is Home”
- 6. Papa Mel (Romel Lezama) – “Real Talk”
