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Archived: Tears, Hugs, MUSIC… Machel Monday Delivers Global Music Showcase To Thousands In Trinidad.

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He came in like a boss and by the end of what turned out to be a six hour long showcase of global music, Machel Montano came in for praise among fans who came out in their numbers on Machel Monday in Trinidad. The Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain was filled to capacity, by all accounts and even with the General Admission patrons being forced to view things from quite a distance, the vibe at the much touted and anticipated annual event, was on point.

Machel Montano sings, "Pop A Bottle" at Machel Monday.

Machel Montano sings, “Pop A Bottle” at Machel Monday. PHOTO CREDIT: MachelMontano via INSTAGRAM

Montano made his grand entrance into the venue at around 9:45pm, leading a  drum line from the car park of the stadium, through the tunnel and onto the stage, his fans looking on in awe. Stage side, Montano’s accompanying dancers and drummers towered over him from several decks that were erected over the main stage area. Screens provided patrons with an up close view of his every move and when the sound of his larger that life hit single blared, the stadium erupted. “I does do it like a boss,”- it was a refrain that could be heard miles away at that very moment and there was no doubt that Machel had arrived.

Machel referred to Farmer Nappy as his family on stage at Machel Monday. Montano has however chosen to be the sole act in his band, leaving both Farmer and Roberts to perform solo at events as well.

Machel referred to Farmer Nappy as his family on stage at Machel Monday. Both Farmer and Patrice Roberts are no longer linked to Montano’s band, however. PHOTO CREDIT: MachelMontano via INSTAGRAM

The night was filled with numerous acts, local, regional and international. Creativity seemed to have been explored and infused in every possible way on stage- this as the Monk changed several times, delivering to his fans an image for every feeling he projected . His  recently released track, “On My Way,” introduced a level of introspection on show night, Montano’s words seemingly calling on every Trinbagonian to assess their appreciation for country and make changes for the betterment of Trinidad and Tobago. On several occasions he called for love and when former HD bandmates, Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts were introduced, Machel referred to them as his family. He said he began Xtatic with Farmer Nappy, crediting him and thanking him for his years of dedication. With Roberts, he sang two duets, the new single, “Great Parade” and the single that won them the road march title, “Band Of The Year,” but before that, Montano had brought on Bajan beauty, Alison Hinds and the artiste he referred to as one of the best songwriters around, Nadia Batson. Batson took the opportunity to thank Machel, telling him, ” If no one has ever thanked you, I thank you for your love and your music.”

From Major Lazer’s, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire, dancehall artistes, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Chris Martin and Beenie Man, to the legendary Fat Man Scoop and 6-year-old Papa J, the entertainment seemed never-ending. Each regional act performed their hits, Beenie Man getting the crowd’s attention like no other. Some felt Sean Paul’s performance lacked in many areas, but despite that, the show was touted by Montano as the first without hiccup. A vocally melodic performance with female soca artiste, Destra Garcia would lead to some speculation that there was more to their relationship than just music, but that is certainly just speculation. Love certainly took centre stage as the duo showed fans that they had buried any differences, Destra singing Adelle’s “Someone Like You” and to that Machel responded with Bob Marley’s, “No Woman, No Cry.” In the end, their relationship seemed stronger than ever.

Machel Montano performs on stage with Angela Hunte. PHOTO CREDIT: Jo Wheeler.

Machel Montano performs on stage with Angela Hunte. PHOTO CREDIT: Jo Wheeler.

Machel Monday definitely started the Carnival countdown right. Montano’s performance with international singer and songwriter, Angela Hunte, may have been the best for the night, Hunte becoming emotional as she held on to Montano at the end of their performance of “Party Done,” the entertainer who was raised in T&T, telling Monk Monte that being on stage in Trinidad was a dream come true.

Machel next performs at Destra’s House of Bakanal at O2 Park this Wednesday. Even amid the aftermath of what may have been one of his best events to date however, there remain dark clouds over his parade as newspaper reports this morning indicated that organizers of Fatima Fete are now calling for the soca megastar to apologize for  his “deplorable” behavior at their fete, held just two days before Machel Monday.

 

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Music News

A Love Letter to T&T. Terron Loves Country, Proves It In ‘Know A Place.’

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At a time when the Soca landscape is constantly evolving and newer artistes are often focused on creating music for the party, soca artiste Terron is taking a different approach with his song, “Know A Place,” a heartfelt tribute to the beauty, culture and spirit of Trinidad and Tobago.

For Terron, the song is more than a musical release. It is a personal expression of gratitude and connection to a country that has remained close to his heart, despite spending much of his life abroad. Having migrated to the United States of America as a child, Terron grew up far from his birthplace. The distance, however, never diminished his appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago. Instead, his visits back home became treasured experiences filled with moments he looked forward to and still holds dear. Those visits offered opportunities to reconnect with the people, places and cultural experiences that made Trinidad and Tobago feel special to him. That enduring connection is at the heart of “Know A Place.” 

While many emerging artistes focus on creating music that dominates parties and create viral moments, Terron is embracing a subject that is less commonly explored by artistes at the beginning of their careers: music that celebrates national identity and contributes to the broader conversation about nation building. His deliberate choice reflects his appreciation for the country and his desire to celebrate what makes it unique. 

Through music, Terron hopes to remind listeners that the value of Trinidad and Tobago extends beyond its world-renowned Carnival celebrations. It is also found in the country’s natural beauty, cultural richness and people. “Know A Place” invites listeners to reflect on what Trinidad and Tobago means to them, whether they live in the twin-island republic or carry memories of home from thousands of miles away. For those in the diaspora, the song offers an opportunity to reconnect with familiar feelings and experiences and for those at home, it serves as a reminder to appreciate the beauty and character of the place they call their own.

Terron’s approach also speaks to the wider role of music in shaping how a country sees itself and how the rest of the world experiences it. “Soca music has always been a powerful vehicle for expressing Caribbean identity,” shares Terron. It is his hope that this song will reinforce why T&T should be appreciated and cherished.

Shot over the course of four days, the project, which was released on October 9, features sights from Paramin, DDI, Chaguaramas, San Fernando, Tobago, and Port of Spain. “Know A Place” is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful way to celebrate a country is to tell its story.

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Caribbean Buzz

URAVE- ‘Life Beyond The Creek’ Launches this Weekend in the SouthLand. There’s Never Been Anything Like It.

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There’s a major shift happening in entertainment in T&T. The energy is rising. On the heels of Tobago Carnival – a spectacle that has left mas lovers craving more, there’s a band launch on the horizon that promises entertainment lovers a true taste of what Trinidad’s South West peninsula has to offer. URAVE is a brand that’s building community and dedicatedly setting things in motion for the best Borough Festival Point Fortin has ever experienced, in 2027.

Speaking exclusively with Ebuzztt.com, Directors, Kariym Balthazar and Roland Hamilton shared details on ‘Life Beyond The Creek’ – the concept for URAVE’S 2027 Borough Festival presentation. The event takes place at the Clifton Hill Beach Resort on Saturday, November 7th from 9pm.

URAVE’s Kariym Balthazar

Two of seven directors who make up a broad team of professionals, their planning for this upcoming event, has been extensive. “We officially kicked off the project in May this year. We’ve put in a lot of work and with a strong team, we are guaranteeing an enhanced Borough Festival,” said Hamilton. He has been a part of the entertainment and promotional landscape in Trinidad and Tobago for the past 15 years. Hamilton said the URAVE brand was conceptualized back in 2015, but opportunity to present it to the people of Point Fortin and those coming into the Borough the way it was conceptualized, has only truly shown itself at this time. “This is not just a band. We’ll also be doing events in the space as well. URAVE will host something like a ‘First Jam’ in the Borough celebrations in 2027 and even our road experience will start off with a brunch event for two hours, with food stations before we hit the streets to play mas. When our masqueraders get off the road, they will enjoy a las’ lap experience too,” he said.

Four mas sections ready for presentation on Saturday, Balthazar told Ebuzztt that this is just the beginning. “We plan on taking URAVE into different spaces – not just Point Fortin Borough Festival, so in the future, URAVE may even be in Carnival in Port -of-Spain,” he said. The four sections are, “Pitch Lake,” “Garden Jewels,” “Fields Road,” and “Columbus Bay,” – all honoring integral aspects of the Southern experience. “I am from La Brea. La Brea and Point Fortin are like brother and sister,” said Hamilton, explaining that the idea is to truly highlight the South Western part of the island by giving those who are unfamiliar an experience of what they have to offer. “Deep South often feels neglected. We don’t have the opportunities or the experiences that others often have. We always have to go into Port-of-Spain to experience mas, so because I would’ve experienced mas so many times, URAVE aims at delivering a higher standard when it comes to experience, so that people who do not frequent Port of Spain, can enjoy what its like in the Borough Festival.”

URAVE stands for Unimaginably, Rhythmic, Audio, Visual, Experience. “These words are at the heart of the brand. The focus is on how people feel, how they are welcomed, and what they leave with. This is not something that is predominant in the Point Fortin Borough space so it is important to us, to establish this standard,” said Hamilton. He says the theme, “Life Beyond the Creek celebrates the beauty, creativity and talent within the South Western peninsula.

Roland Hamilton says URAVE was conceptualized in 2015.

The band launch is being touted as one that will showcase exactly what masqueraders can expect on the rod come 2027. Though starting off with more of a Monday Wear mas deliverable, the band will be going hard to ensure the feeling of revelry and fun are high priority. “Years ago, bands like Legacy and Ronnie and Caro, and other big bands would come down from Port-of- Spain, but Borough Day has never had a Point Fortin based mas band involved.

Years ago, Legacy, Ronnie and Caro and other big bands would come down from Port of Spain and they never really had a Point Fortin based mas band involved. Our team has been having discussions with the Point Fortin Borough executives and we’ve been discussing all areas to ensure what we bring enhances the celebration,” said Hamilton, noting that the overall aim is to bring life to the celebration. “We hope even big mas bands will come back into the space after our presentation in 2027,” he said.

The Economics and the People.

All bases covered, inclusive of safety and convenience, Hamilton noted the state of the present economy. Understanding of the economic climate, he said URAVE’S website will go live after the band’s launch on Saturday and those interested in playing will be able to register with the option of securing a payment plan.”

On Saturday night in Point Fortin, fetters can expect a whole lot of energy and Carnival vibes. Artistes inclusive of Farmer Nappy, Trinibaby, Christo and Viking Ding Dong, will be apart of the excitement. “We are creating a safe space for people to come out and have fun. We want to always have a great time. The feeling is very important to us and we will show potential masqueraders just what it will mean to be on the road with URAVE, when we launch the band this weekend,” Hamilton assured.

Follow URAVE online on Instagram for more on what’s to come and be part of the greatest Borough Festival experience in 2027.

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