title taken from “Dr. Mashup” by Machel Montano
Guess who’s back!
That’s right, the dynamic duo is back at it. DysChick and SocaSaySo are excited to announce the release of our first episode in Season 7 of the BK Rant & Rave podcast. Our theme this season is "are we over it?" In episode one, we want to know if you are over the uncertainty of Trinidad's International Soca Monarch, bacchanal in soca music industry, and Machel Montano being the one carrying the torch for soca.
Trinidad’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts recently confirmed that the International Soca Monarch (ISM) competition will return in 2025, after a three-year hiatus. While some say Fantastic Friday is a staple in Carnival, having been the source for epic performances by artistes like Fay-Ann Lyons, Mr. Killa, and Machel Montano, others have lost their interest in the on again- off again competition.
I was lucky enough to be in attendance when Shurwayne Winchester won for “Can’t Wait,” Voice made everyone drink a “Cheers to Life,” and Mr. Killa told us to “Run Wid It.”
Soca Monarch - Trinidad 2019
But Trinidad Carnival has survived despite major artistes dropping out of the competition either to make way for new artistes or simply because they didn’t want to sign no dutty contract.
One artiste who chose to bow out of the competition as well as conclude his annual Monday night concert is soca icon Machel Montano. However, this has not affected his success and the artiste continues to make moves to showcase soca music.
On Monday, January 13th, Machel Montano performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk, making him the first soca artiste to do so. Notice I said “soca” artiste. Since the age of nine, Machel has maintained a presence in the soca industry and is now the highest earning, highest streamed, and most popular soca artiste in the business.
Photo cred: Carib News
Some suggest that Montano’s success in the industry is due to his affiliation with or leadership of the rumored Soca Mafia.
While there is no evidence to support an illuminati-style cabal of artistes gatekeeping access to top producers, writers, and events, some rising artistes claim that the Mafia is the reason they have not seen the same level of success.
I could write a whole other post on this topic, but I don't have to. Check out the latest episode of BK Rant and Rave to find out what we think about the latest bacchanal in soca.
