Machel Montano Aims For Another Title

Described as the hardest worker in Caribbean music, Machel Montano, who is the reigning Calypso monarch of Trinidad and Tobago and hailed as the undisputed Soca King of the world, is challenging himself yet again. He has won the Young Kings title, Road March, Soca Monarch, and Calypso Monarch and is now aiming for the Chutney Soca Monarch title. This week, Machel qualified to compete in the semi-final stage of the BMobile Chutney Soca Monarch, slated for February 8, 2025. Chutney Soca is a crossover style of music incorporating soca, calypso and East-Indian music elements with a heavy emphasis on tassa and tabla drumming as well as English and Hindi lyrics. Machel had his first taste of Chutney soca success in 2000 when he released the song “Real Unity” featuring popular Chutney star Drupatee. This year, he returns with another Chutney offering, “Pepper Vine” again, featuring Drupatee and Lady Lava. Eight female artistes and twenty-six male artistes were selected for the semis of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition, including nine-time winner Rikki Jai. This is Machel’s first attempt at the Chutney Soca Monarch Crown, having won the National Calypso Monarch title for the first time in 2024 with the song...