There is no doubting the popularity of soca among Jamaicans. And Machel Montano is working to keep the genre within its untouchable contribution to the history of the music industry.
And he succeeded in doing just that at the recent inaugural Wi Fete at Kingston’s Sabina Park, where he led the charge for togetherness among Caribbean nationals via their undivided passion for soca.
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“We have to represent for unity. We love reggae and love dancehall,” Montano told the hundreds of spectators at the ancient cricket stadium that he and his band loved both reggae and dancehall, right after introducing dancehall performer Agent Sasco to the stage,
“There’s an energy, and Jamaica has the energy right now. I love soca. We love soca…We gonna show the world that they should be here in Jamaica.”
The renowned “King of Soca,” Montano, performed at Wi Fete in Jamaica for the first time in eight years and provided classics from beginning to end. Those who weren’t already ardent followers of the soca king left the location with an impression of his magnificence, as he sent Sabina Park into a frenzy.
He played songs from his catalog of hits, including “Waiting on the Stage,” “Soca Kingdom,” “Light Yourself,” “Mr. Fete,” “Haunted,” “Like Ah Boss,” “Bend Over,” “Vibes Cyah Done,” and many others, leaving the audience in wonder.
The reggae tunes he utilized to whisk his audience back in time included “Tempted to Touch” by Beres Hammond, “Trying to Get to You” by Richie Stephens, “Fresh Vegetable” by Tony Rebel, “Welcome to Jamrock” by Damian Marley, and “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley.
But the “King of Soca” advocacy for peace did not end there, as Voice, who took the stage before Montana finished his act, came out while carrying a Jamaican and a Trinidadian flag in support of the two countries rapprochement through soca music.
When performing his classics like “Fire Go Bun Dem” (Year for Love), “Dear Promoter,” and “Cheers to Life,” among others, Voice, whose real name is Aaron St Louis, lived in the moment by giving his 100% in the performance.
Bunji Garlin, meantime, demonstrated why he has the moniker “the Viking” as he had partygoers gushing about not only his tracks but also his ability to freestyle, which kept bystanders yelling for him to stay on stage.
Garlin, whose real name is Ian Antonio Alvarez, recalled how he was booed off the stage during his debut performance in Jamaica. However, he was left to be in awe of the love he had experienced.
Garlin claimed that he has an unending affection for Jamaica and its people precisely because of his experience with the people and their music.
“When we are back home (Trinidad and Tobago), for every one soca song playing on the radio, plenty more dancehall music is playing. We love Jamaica. I cannot understand how people would say Jamaicans and Trinis don’t like each other.”
He sang a number of songs, including “Hard Fete,” “Famalay,” “Big Bad Soca,” “Carnival Tabanca,” “Differentology” (Ready for the Road), “Umbrella,” “Truck On D Road,” and “ATSA.”
The appearance of the “Princess of Soca,” Nailah Blackman, Skinny Fabulous, and Iwer George at Sabina Park was no exception.
As she released songs like “Baila Mami,” “Badishh,” “Come Home,” and “Work Out,” to mention a few, Nailah used her distinctive and captivating sound to win the hearts of Soca fans within the region and beyond.
Iwer George gave fans a glimpse of the past thus allowing decade-long fans to sing along and enjoy the tunes granting them a nostalgic feeling. Classics such as, Skinny Fabulous’s “Up and Up,” “Behaving the Worst,” “Hurricane,” “Come Home,” and “Famalay,” among other hits, had the stadium jamming and waving their flags all night.
