The nostalgia has begun to set in. Machel Montano and Ravi B have been reflecting on Montano’s signature carnival event, Machel Monday, which was last held in 2020. That was also the experience where fans of the Soca Taipan were able to witness his nuptials live. Yes! Machel Montano did get married a second time, to the same beautiful woman, in the same week, on stage at Machel Monday. Now, the heavyweight of Caribbean entertainment is hinting at a major celebration to come.
In 2020, Machel had signaled the end to the Machel Monday concept. One year later, Covid19 crippled the entertainment industry globally, and there would be no talk of Machel Monday or Carnival for that matter. Now, the artist who has given fans songs like, ‘Happy Papi,’ ’10 Outta 10,’ and ‘Bad Chargie’ with Viking Ding Dong in 2022, has signaled “greater things to come.”
Reminded of the date by fellow entertainer, Ravi B, Machel reposted a video of Machel Monday 2020, this past Monday, saying, “Seeing this I thought of the saying, ‘what eh miss yuh eh pass yuh,’ but I do miss this and I am grateful to all the MM family, friends and fans on stage, backstage and watching the stage. Just know there will be greater things to come.”
Now married and enjoying moments of solitude with his wife Renee, Machel reminded fans that he started his career in soca in 1982. “I started in 1982 and it’s 2022. Do the math,” he said, before ending with, “I think we have a celebration coming!”
What do you suspect he has up his sleeve? This April, together with Tribe, Montano delivers Melé Destinations where fans will fete and enjoy a true vacation in Cancun, Mexico for five days! That’s pretty exciting so there’s no doubt that whatever he’s coming with will top that experience… after all it will be a celebration of 40 years of Machel Montano in Soca!
With the mostpowerful vocals heard in the Soca music industry in some time, Shavon Leighanna David is hitting the carnival 2025 scene hard, and early. A South native who’s more than just a pretty face, the singer who’s simply called, Leighanna, has a brand-new single called ‘Flowers.’ It’s guaranteed to stir things up as T&T’s carnival season comes into focus.
“I’ve been singing since I was three. I’ve always known that this is the path for me; It’s what I do,” said the artiste. Her humble beginnings, having been encouraged by her father, a former singer himself, took her on a journey that started with songwriting, before being redirected onto the stage. “I was a teenager then and my first release was called, ‘Ah Feelin’ It,’” she explained, adding that at that time, fellow female singers, Lil Bitts and Patrice Roberts were also making their presence felt on the entertainment scene. “Things were ticklish back then. I didn’t know anyone. I had never taken part in any of the Soca or Calypso competitions but I went around to the radio stations with my song and I was well received.”
Her follow up singles included collaborations with D Angel Journey and Terry Seales. “Back then the stage fright was strong but the music was well received,” she said. Despite her best efforts however, circumstances halted Leighana’s upward mobility and she took a break from music, to focus on essential matters in her life. Time away coinciding with the pandemic, Leighanna was forced to assess her career and strengthen her strategy in a bid to make a stronger breakthrough in the industry. In November 2023, ahead of Carnival 2024, she released a single called, ‘Bam Bam Good’ and according to the entertainer, the song was embraced by the DJs at all major radio stations in T&T. “I have a strong team now, with my manager Zoe at the helm, my assistant, Jalyan and international interest, Chris. It’s an exciting time,” she said in the wake of the new release. Now, as 2025 looms, she once again strengthens her posture and positions herself to push hard into the music business. “Flowers was written by Kambon and produced by Shot Master J and Body Roc. My daughter who’s just 3-years-old is also fascinated with singing and she is so brave. Her braveness inspires me. I’m doing this for her as much as I am doing it for myself.”
A true fan of the male Soca artistes in the business, Leighanna says Patrice Roberts, Destra Garcia, Terri Lyons and sister Fay Ann, also give her great inspiration. “I love Fay-Ann’s controlling personality in the industry. I’m also so happy for Patrice and I always remember her telling me that I should never give up,” she admitted. Leighanna says she is also friendly with Jadel and appreciates the friendship they share. “We are friends and we connected easily.”
Having worked with Kyle Phillips on the new single, the South native expressed complete satisfaction on the project. “I love working with Kyle. He is great at what he does.”
‘Flowers’ was released last week and has already won the hearts of Soca music lovers on music sharing platform, YouTube. The track comes complete with visuals and features a cameo by radio personality, SupaHype. “This song is a powerful expression to men. I want them to understand that women are the flowers of life and should be respected, loved, appreciated, treated with compassion,” said the singer. “Women – mothers, daughters, aunts, grandmothers are the nurturers of life and this is a reminder to all men, in song.”
To learn more about Leighanna, follow her on Instagram @leighannaofficial.
Australia is stepping up its game to protect kids from the dangers of social media, with the government unveiling new legislation aimed at restricting social media use for children under 16. Describing the move as “world-leading,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized the impact of social media use, on young users.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m putting an end to it,” Albanese said in a press conference on Thursday.
The proposed law, which will be introduced to Parliament in its final two weeks of session starting November 18th, would see social media platforms like X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook given 12 months to adjust and block access for children younger than 16. Albanese said he had spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, and relatives, who share his concern about keeping the nation’s children safe online.
This major announcement comes as governments worldwide continue to grapple with the issue of regulating kids’ access to social media and smartphones. The new Australian legislation would make social media companies accountable for enforcing the age restriction, with hefty penalties for non-compliance—but it would not penalize parents or underage users themselves. “The responsibility will fall on the platforms to prove they’re taking reasonable steps to keep kids off their sites,” Albanese said. “Parents and kids won’t be held responsible.”
The proposed law would allow for exceptions, such as for educational purposes, but Albanese made it clear that no child under 16 would be allowed to use social media, even with parental consent.
Earlier this year, the Australian government began testing age-restriction technologies, and the eSafety Commissioner will use the results to help guide social media platforms in how to comply with the new rules.
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