Ebuzz News
Archived: More Than 5 Things To Remember About Machel Monday 2016!
Four days. It’s been four days since a phenomenal occurrence took place in Trinidad. Amid the Carnival hype, amid the talk of the Monk Evolution, Machel Montano, Tony Chow Lin On better known as Chinese Laundry and their team of diligent movers and shakers, created a shift that some absorbed and embraced; others however, have frowned, seeing only a double standard that they say, relentlessly meanders through the Carnival and soca music industry in Trinidad and Tobago and possibly, the Caribbean.
Machel Montano’s Evolution of Monk album is now available. PHOTO CREDIT: Machel Montano IG.
The Monk Evolution album is now available via online music distribution outlets- this, announced one day after the concert that pulled a mammoth crowd at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. For Machel Montano, such numbers aren’t at all unique. In fact, by now, the Monk as he’s called, must be accustomed to gathering thousands at one venue, year after year. On Monday night however, amid the jamming to artistes like M1, Ravi B and Karma, Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts and even an acoustic set with the son of the late, great Lord Kitchener, Kernal Roberts, fans of Machel Montano and all that he’s offered the world in his 34 years in the business, got a lot to ponder.
On stage, Machel was the epitome of stardom. He delivered as he usually does, belting out hit after hit and introducing fans to music done in the past few months with artistes like OMI out of Jamaica and Nigerian artiste, Timaya. He brought some Cuban heat to the fore when, dressed from head to toe in chilli pepper red, Latino heartthrob, Pitbull came forward to share the spotlight, his waistline almost saying to female onlookers, “come hither. I’ve got just what you need…” Hip Hop hype man, Lil Jon was even moved to share a sentiment of true appreciation for the hard work he’s seen Montano put in, time and time again, telling him, “I have seen just how hard you work, man…” There was even a short performance by slated guest performer, Tarrus Riley, who Montano collaborated with on the remix to his single, “Memory”. Riley came on and was off in under 10 minutes, delivering his other blockbuster reggae anthems ‘Royal’ and ‘Gimme Likkle One Drop’ to a tolerant audience. Voice, a superb young soca artiste was allowed his moment to shine at MM, as was Aaron Duncan, the youngster who continues to win titles in junior calypso and soca categories much to the satisfaction of Montano who one week earlier had said, “he reminds me a lot of myself at that age.”
The set that rocked the stadium- Chinese Laundry and Signal 2 Noise reunite musically at Machel Monday.
Machel Monday was indeed a concert. It was not a fete as many had hoped to experience. EBUZZTT, looking around, noticed a drastic reduction of high-heeled fashion and a powerful inclination by beautiful women to simply dress comfortably to enjoy the occasion. That in itself was refreshing, proof maybe that the words of many radio personalities were seeping through the airwaves and making sense to many. What would come, just before 2am on Machel Monday however, would prompt a thought or two that the flats worn were being used for an unexpected reason. In a surprise move, Montano introduced his friend and business partner, former MC, Chinese Laundry. Behind him, taking the Serato machine would be none other than Signal 2 Noise. The duo had, in years gone by, made dancehall a phenomenal force in Trinidad and Tobago and on this night, they would do so again. On this night, in the heat of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, soca would be pushed to the back burner for possibly 30 minutes, to accommodate Chaka Demus and Pliers, Wayne Wonder and the legendary dancehall DJ, Cutty Ranks. A surprise moment no doubt, for children of the eighties and nighties who lived for the music and vibe that Laundry and Signal delivered, all hands seemed to reach to the sky, almost thankful that something was presented to make them remember the days when ‘dance was nice.’
Machel looks on at the crowd in amazement almost, as DJ Assassin stands to his right. PHOTO CREDIT: Assassin Singh IG
When that moment ended and the focus switched back to Machel Montano- the Taipan of Soca, the energy had to be maintained. He would bring on three DJs he coined the best Soca DJs. Assassin Singh, Private Ryan and his road DJ, DJ Stephen would then lead Montano into a high energy soca set that made even the Monk shake his head a few times, possibly pondering just how he’d managed to do it and continue to, at the age of 41. His monster anthems, too many to call, lifted the spirit of his fans, almost as if they too, wished they could re-live those hit-making moments. “I going after my 8th road march,” said Machel amid it all. His former drummer, Kernal Roberts had reminded him, on stage, that he was up to number 7 and together they had made magic. Roberts was given an opportunity to show off his acoustic skills, delivering the raw notes of some of the road march hits he and Montano had won together. Later, as the curtains came down on Machel Monday, the possibility of an 8th road march title roared in the hearts of fans. He left them with it… just a little something to think about maybe. In true Machel style, he gave them “Waiting On De Stage”.
Today, four days after Machel Monday, some among us, silently mumble, “so how is it that when some promoters introduce foreigners in the carnival, everybody upset but when Machel do it, it’s ok?”. Some now argue, there will always be a double standard. Suffice to say, the moment has passed, but as we said when we began, Machel Monday 2016 has left many, with much to ponder.
Around the World
Dominica, Martinique Connect in the Name of Bouyon, Just in Time For World Creole Festival This Weekend.
Dominican Bouyon artiste Reo (Dario Sebastien) is heating up YouTube with his latest release, “Jolie BB,” a collaboration with Martinique’s Maurane Voyer. In just a week since its release, the official music video racked up an impressive 115,000 plus views on YouTube, drawing attention to the song among French-speaking audiences and highlighting the potential for Bouyon to reach new listeners across Martinque and the wider French Caribbean.
Building Connections In the Name of Music.
For Reo, this represents an opportunity to build stronger connections between Dominica and Martinique, expand Bouyon’s reach and open new markets for Dominican artistes. “It’s a good opportunity to connect Dominica and Martinique. We don’t have that much of a relationship musically, so let’s do it to push Bouyon in Martinique and build that relationship,” Reo explained.
Voyer shares that vision. Already familiar with Reo’s music and a longtime admirer the Dominican genre, she saw the collaboration as an opportunity to bring their musical worlds together. “I was already familiar with Reo’s universe. I knew a lot of songs, and I always loved Bouyon music,” she said.
The two artistes met in July while performing at the same festival in Saint Barts. Voyer approached Reo about working together in the studio, and the idea soon became a reality when they reunited in Guadeloupe at HMC Studio, where the artistes began developing the song.
Reo developed the concept for the song with Voyer contributing her vocals. The beat was produced by Guadeloupe’s own YSN and mixed in Dominica by Dernz (Dernel Green). Reo insisted on the addition of live drums to preserve Bouyon’s Dominican identity in the bi-lingual song. That distinction was particularly important to the collaboration. Voyer explained that the Bouyon most familiar to audiences in Martinique has traditionally come from Guadeloupe, while interest in the original Dominican sound has grown in recent years.
Taking A Look at What Unifies.
“In Martinique, the first Bouyon that we know is from Guadeloupe. And it’s maybe since three years that we are more and more interested in the real Bouyon, the Bouyon from Dominica,” she said. For her, the recording process also offered a valuable opportunity to explore the similarities and differences between their cultures. “It was very interesting to see what differences we have and also what brings us together. I really enjoyed it,” she said.
The creative partnership extended to the music video, where Reo contributed ideas that helped the team bring their vision to life within a short timeframe. The response has been encouraging. “I get a lot of messages from different kinds of people, women, men, of all kinds of ages. And I’m happy to see that they like the song, the radios too,” said Voyer.
Beyond the immediate response, both artistes hope the collaboration will encourage more musical exchanges between Caribbean territories that do not always connect as frequently as they could. Stronger relationships with French Caribbean artistes, radio stations, DJs, promoters and audiences could create additional performance opportunities and revenue streams for Dominican Bouyon artistes seeking to expand their reach.
“Martinique for example, is another market for Bouyon artistes to build their fan base and get bookings. We can literally see Martinique from Dominica, it should not feel so far away,” he added.
The collaboration is particularly timely as Voyer prepares to visit Dominica for the World Creole Music Festival this weekend, where Reo will also perform. She described working with Reo ahead of her first visit to the island as an exciting opportunity to establish a musical connection before experiencing Dominica firsthand.
The release also builds on Reo’s recent international momentum following the success of his La Vie Dou Tour in New York and London. With previous million-view songs including “Sa Ka Bay” feat. DJ Bling (2.9m views), “Doudou” with Litleboy (3.8m views), “You Mad” (1.5m views), and La Vie Doux feat. T éhilah (2.8 m views), Reo continues to pursue opportunities to introduce his music to audiences outside Dominica.
With Jolie BB, Reo and Voyer have combined their respective musical influences to create a collaboration that celebrates both their differences and common ground. Its early YouTube performance provides an encouraging start, while the wider ambition is to turn that attention into lasting connections between the music communities of Dominica, Martinique and the wider Caribbean.
The official music video for “Jolie BB” by Reo featuring Maurane Voyer is available now on YouTube.
Ebuzz News
Tobago’s Trendsetter Goofy, A Different Kind of Cultural Ambassador. Show Some Respect.
As Tobago Carnival looms, one artiste who wears the hat of DJ as well, is being singled out as an example of cultural ambassadors who seldom receive the love and support they tremendously deserve.
Trendsetter Goofy, a Soca artist and international DJ from Tobago. In 2025, he took a significant step forward with his first European tour, including an appearance at Munich Carnival in Germany, where he represented Tobago, alongside performances in Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. His international appearances also extended to Toronto and Miami. His efforts have gone by relatively unnoticed by the general public at home in T&T.
In a statement shared by Marion Nwankwo, she notes there is a strong will to change this sad reality. “They pay out of their own pockets. They sacrifice time with their families, take leave from their jobs, face financial setbacks and travel thousands of miles, all to share the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago with the world. Yet, too often, their stories go untold,” Marion says.
Noting that people like Trendsetter Goofy are “a different kind of cultural ambassador,” she says they are quietly making an impact. “These are the independent artistes and DJs who believe in their music so deeply that they are willing to invest their own hard-earned money, take personal risks and create opportunities for themselves when the industry does not open its doors for them,”she adds.
Trendsetter Goofy is Daren Phillips. This season, he released ‘Take Ah Drink’ on the Bumper Sticker Riddim. He followed that up with ‘This Is Life.’ Marion, in her statement said, “His story raises a question that deserves our attention. Why do we so often celebrate our culture on the world stage without giving enough recognition to the people who personally sacrifice so much to bring it there?”
Trendsetter Goofy, a Soca artist and international DJ from Tobago who is building his career through determination, personal investment and an unwavering commitment to his craft. His journey is a powerful example of the dedication required to represent his homeland internationally, often without the financial rewards or public recognition that such efforts deserve.
Last year, he took a significant step forward with his first European tour, including an appearance at Munich Carnival in Germany, where he represented Tobago, alongside performances in Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. His international appearances also extended to Toronto and Miami. “Behind these achievements were not only performances and travel, but also the realities of everyday life: arranging time away from work, making family commitments work, investing personal resources and dealing with opportunities that did not always go to plan,” shared Marion.
This heartfelt plea for consideration to the less publicly known creatives and cultural ambassadors comes as Tobago announces its first ever Road March competition on the island. It begs the question : Who are the Tobago artistes in the race and are the contenders all known to the public at large who will be in attendance at this year’s Carnival in Tobago?
-
Around the World2 days agoDominica, Martinique Connect in the Name of Bouyon, Just in Time For World Creole Festival This Weekend.
-
Ebuzz News3 days agoTerri Lyons: “It feels as Though We Are Losing our Icons Right Before our Eyes.”
-
Ebuzz News3 days agoTobago’s Trendsetter Goofy, A Different Kind of Cultural Ambassador. Show Some Respect.