For more than four decades, Machel Montano has been one of the most influential figures in Caribbean music. Since beginning his career at the age of nine, the Trinidad and Tobago-born entertainer has dedicated himself to transforming soca from a genre traditionally embraced by older audiences into a global sound that resonates with younger generations.
In a recent interview with CBC Radio’s Q with Tom Power, Montano reflected on his remarkable journey and his decision to step away from the spotlight to deepen his understanding of the cultural traditions that shaped his music.
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Bringing Soca to a New Generation
When Montano launched his career in the 1980s, soca music, short for “soul of calypso,” was largely viewed as a genre for adults. Calypsonians often used their music to comment on politics, social issues, and community affairs.
“Young people weren’t really listening to soca,” Montano explained. “They were listening to New Edition, Boyz II Men and Bob Marley.”
Recognizing this gap, Montano made it his mission to modernize soca and make it more accessible to younger audiences. Today, he is widely credited with helping transform the genre into an international force.
Soca Reaches the Global Stage
Montano’s influence continues to grow. In 2025, he became the first soca artist to perform on NPR Tiny Desk Concert, a milestone that introduced the genre to a wider audience. The performance quickly surpassed one million views, attracting listeners unfamiliar with Caribbean music.
Soca’s global footprint has also expanded through its influence on mainstream artists such as Drake and through its connections to genres including dancehall, reggaeton, and Afrobeats.
“Soca music is loved underground,” Montano said, noting that members of the Caribbean diaspora continue to champion the genre in influential spaces around the world.
A Four-Year Academic Journey
After years of producing music for Trinidad and Tobago’s annual Carnival celebrations, Montano felt the need to pause.
In 2020, he took a four-year break from recording and performing to pursue a master’s degree in Carnival Studies at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
“The truth of your history is important,” Montano said. “If you never sit with the truth and actual documentation, you might have a false perception.”
His studies gave him a deeper appreciation for Carnival’s historical and cultural significance.
Exploring Carnival’s Origins
Montano explained that his research challenged assumptions he had long held about Carnival. While Trinidad and Tobago is internationally renowned for its Carnival celebrations, he discovered that many scholars trace festive traditions involving masks, processions, and music to ancient civilizations, including Egypt, before they evolved through African and Caribbean cultural practices.
For Montano, Carnival is rooted in ritual, spirituality, and resistance, an understanding that aligns closely with his view of soca music itself.
“We used resistance, we used our rituals, and we created this music and this art form,” he said.
New Documentary and Future Plans
Montano’s life and legacy are the focus of the documentary Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King, which premieres on Amazon Prime Video on May 29, 2026.
The film chronicles his extraordinary career, his cultural impact, and his continuing efforts to elevate soca music on the world stage.
After 40 years in the industry, Machel Montano remains both a student and a pioneer, proving that even legends can return to the classroom in pursuit of deeper knowledge and renewed purpose.
