Courtesy Overtime Media
Trinidad Carnival 2025 Chutney Soca Monarch and Road March King, Machel Montano issued a gracious thank you across the industry last week, meticulously listing all contributors, collaborators, supporters and fans in a 5-page media release to the nation and the region at large. Rising out of his self-imposed two-year hiatus from Trinidad Carnival, Montano returned to the Carnival scene this past season and lent his experience and dynamic stage presence to a select few events officially, while also making several more surprise guest appearances at many of the major events on the Carnival calendar.
“To my incredible fans, my dedicated team, and the people of Trinidad & Tobago – THANK YOU!” The release began. “This Carnival season was nothing short of magical, and it’s all because of you. The energy, the love, the passion – everything we built together made 2025 a season to remember. My song, “PARDY” was more than just music; it was a celebration of the hard work, sacrifice, and joy that defines our culture. And after all that effort, we ALL deserved a magical PARDY on the road Monday and Tuesday! Big Love to My People.”
Montano gave special recognition to the Honourable Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley and Professor Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool for appearing in the “PARDY” music video and listed a number of “special moments that defined the season”:
“PARDY took on a life of its own and touched so many people during the season,” said Montano in the release, before expounding on some of the highlights. “NCPD, St. Monica’s Prep, and all of the #MMPARDY contest participants – you all made this season extra special! Big ups to Bridgette Wilson – this Carnival was your PARDY girl. Much love! To Norma “Granny” Puckerin – who knew I would discover a new family through this touching show of support and to the nightly choruses raised in unison singing the song in our fetes and especially performing it while crossing the Savannah stage Carnival Tuesday night.”
Since a child, Montano has been a leader in the genre, winning countless awards and pushing Soca music onto the international stage with growing velocity. He has collaborated and shared stages with some of the world’s most renowned music icons like Ariana Grande, Pitbull, Drake, Rihanna, The Mighty Sparrow, Calypso Rose, Black Stalin, Mighty Shadow, Shaggy, and many more. With this year’s Road March and Chutney Soca Monarch victories, Montano has added more titles to his incredible trophy case, which features 22 major wins:
– 11 Trinidad and Tobago Road Marches
– 7 International Soca Monarch titles – 5 Power, 2 Groovy
– 1 Chutney Soca Monarch
– 1 National Calypso Monarch
– 1 Young King
– 1 Junior Calypso Monarch
1. 1984 – Junior Calypso Monarch (The Letter)
2. 1991 – Young King (Take Me Back)
3. 1997 – Road March (Big Truck)
4. 2006 – Road March (Band of D Year) with Patrice Roberts
5. 2007 – Road March (Jumbie)
6. 2011 – Power Soca Monarch (Advantage)
7. 2011 – Road March (Advantage)
8. 2012 – Groovy Soca Monarch (Mr. Fete)
9. 2012 – Power Soca Monarch (Pump Yuh Flag)
10. 2012 – Road March (Pump Yuh Flag)
11. 2013 – Groovy Soca Monarch (The Fog)
12. 2013 – Power Soca Monarch (Float)
13. 2014 – Power Soca Monarch (Ministry of Road)
14. 2014 – Road March (Ministry of Road)
15. 2015 – Power Soca Monarch (Like Ah Boss)
16. 2015 – Road March (Like Ah Boss)
17. 2016 – Road March (Waiting on the Stage)
18. 2018 – Road March (Soca Kingdom) with Super Blue
19. 2019 – Road March (Famalay) with Bunji Garlin and Skinny Fabulous
20. 2024 – National Calypso Monarch (Soul of Calypso)
21. 2025 – Chutney Soca Monarch (Pepper Vine) with Drupatee and Lady Lava
22. 2025 – Road March (PARDY)
In the release, Montano also thanked the Governments of the region, the local and international media and his PR agents, expressing his appreciation to them for capturing and sharing the spirit of Soca with the world. Looking forward to the rest of 2025, Montano made mention of an upcoming documentary entitled “Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King – Machel Montano”, which will be a look back at his career, personal journey and life in Soca music. Also in the pipeline will be a compilation from Monk Music dubbed Soca Universe 2025, which should have all the hits of Carnival 2025.
Additionally of note is The Soundbridge Program curriculum rollout and Montano’s “One Degree Hotter” International Tour dates. With two more titles on his belt, Montano’s journey continues to soar to higher heights in his lifelong quest to fulfill his mandate of sharing T&T and the Caribbean’s music and culture with the world at large.
Photos by Anil Mathi for Xtatik Limited
