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Archived: International Eyes Peeled To T&T- Machel Monday Brings 'Em Out!
From Diplo, Walshy and Jillionaire of Major Lazer to Boyz II Men and Nigeria’s Timaya, the world is zooming in on Trinidad & Tobago. On Monday, February 24th, soca Taipan, Machel Montano delivered a concert showcase at the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Trinidad. His Machel Monday was a world class show that brought out thousands, and among the fetters who took in the performances were several world renowned entertainers themselves. Montano and the team who devised this year’s event, ingeniously introduced the world to more local flavor than previous MM shows. Leaving out the elaborate props used in concerts over the years, Montano and his team showed off T&T’s spoken word poets, using some very talented youths as connectors between performances. It was indeed a remarkable method of keeping the audience intrigued and from beginning to end, the energy remained high.
Machel sings his 2012 hit, ‘Indian Girl’ with chutney soca queen, Drupatee.
On stage, Machel preached unity and love throughout the event and for those who were there to witness it first hand, it may have been an awe inspiring experience- especially when Montano introduced Destra Garcia- the lone female entertainer in the industry who many say is the female version of the soca heavyweight. Since their collaboration on the track, ‘It’s Carnival’ in 2003, Montano and Garcia had been rumored to have been at odds so the introduction of the self proclaimed Queen Of Bacchanal on Monday, was as much a surprise as it was a beautiful sight.
Farmer Nappy, performing his hit, Big People Party, took the opportunity to welcome on stage a few veterans in the business.
A number of great Caribbean acts graced the stage. From King David Rudder to pan extraordinaire, Len Boogsie Sharp, Queen Denyse Plummer, Kerwin Du Bois, Destra, Farmer Nappy, Patrice Roberts, Poser, Johnny King, M1- formerly Menace of the group 3 Suns, Skinny Fabulous out of St. Vincent, Ravi B, Drupatie and Lyrikal,the stars seemed to have aligned perfectly in the soca universe on Monday night.
Patrice Roberts stunned on show night with both her vocals and physique.
Now, days away from the final two days of the season- Carnival Monday and Tuesday, MTV Iggy has again placed focus on Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, highlighting the island in a feature called, ‘Please Explain: Soca and Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.’
Machel Monday is certainly one of the shows that makes the world interested in T&T, Soca and carnival. Much like the International Soca Monarch competition, the magnitude of the production is as such that the world can’t help but take notice.
Check out our photo gallery for a full album of photos from the event.
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Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.