Machel Montano facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Machel Montano
Machel Montano performing in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Machel Montano
Born	(1974-11-24) 24 November 1974 (age 50) Carenage, Trinidad and Tobago
Origin	Siparia, Trinidad and Tobago
Genres	Soca
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, record producer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion
Years active	1982–present
Labels	Monk Music
Associated acts	Xtatik

Machel Montano is a famous singer and record producer from Trinidad and Tobago. He was born on November 24, 1974. Machel is known for his exciting and energetic performances on stage. He is one of the most popular artists in soca music.

Machel Montano's Early Life and Music

Machel Montano was born in Carenage, Trinidad, in 1974. His family later moved to Siparia. He went to Siparia Boys R.C. school and then Presentation College. There, he sang in the school's choir.

Machel became famous when he was just nine years old. He sang a song called "Too Young To Soca." In 1984, he started a group called Panasonic Express with his older brother and friends. This group later became the band Xtatik in 1989. When he was 11, Machel appeared on a TV show called Star Search. In 1987, he won the Caribbean Song Festival in Barbados. He was the first person from Trinidad and the youngest ever to win this contest.

Machel Montano's Musical Journey

Machel Montano's band started as Panasonic Express. Over time, it changed names several times. It was known as The Xtatik Circus, Xtatik, and The Road Marching Band. Since 2007, the band has been called Machel Montano HD. Kernal Roberts, son of the famous calypsonian Lord Kitchener, became the band's drummer and music director.

Machel (center) performing on stage alongside Zan (left) and Farmer Nappy (right)

Machel also hosted a radio show called International Sounds of Soca. He had many hit songs with and without his band Xtatik. Some of his popular songs include "Big Truck," which won the Road March title in 1997. The Road March title is given to the most played song during Carnival celebrations. Other hits are "Outa Space" with Beenie Man and "Band Of The Year" with Patrice Roberts.

Machel Montano performing at a fete in Barbados (2008)

His song "Toro Toro" with Shaggy was popular in the UK in 1998. "One Wine" with Sean Paul and Major Lazer also did well in the US in 2015. Machel has performed many sold-out concerts in Madison Square Garden in New York City. He has won the International Soca Monarch title six times. He has also won the Trinidad and Tobago Road March ten times. He even won the Calypso Monarch title once.

Machel Montano in Movies and Documentaries

Machel Montano made his first movie appearance in Bazodee in 2016. This movie was filmed entirely in Trinidad and Tobago. In the film, he plays a soca singer who falls in love. In 2017, he released a documentary about his life. It was called "Machel Montano: Journey of a Soca King."

Awards and Honors for Machel Montano

In November 2014, Machel Montano won a Soul Train Award. He received it for Best International Performance for his song "Ministry of Road (M.O.R.)." This was a big win for soca music.

On November 15, 2018, Machel received an honorary doctorate of arts. This special award came from the University of Trinidad and Tobago. In September 2022, he was given the Hummingbird Gold Medal. This is a national award from Trinidad and Tobago.

Machel Montano's Personal Life

Machel Montano has a Master's degree in Carnival Studies. He earned it from the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

On February 14, 2020, Machel married his longtime girlfriend, Renee Butcher. Their wedding ceremony took place at The Red House. This building is the parliament building of Trinidad and Tobago. Machel is a father to three children: Melanie, Nicholas, and Maya Journey.

Machel Montano's Music Albums

Patrice Roberts (left) and Machel perform at UWI Splash in Chaguaramas, Trinidad.

Machel and his band perform in front of a live audience at a fete

Solo Albums

• Too Young to Soca? (1985)
• Soca Earthquake (1987)
• Dr. Carnival (1988)
• Katch Ya! (1989)
• Breakin Out! (1990)
• One Step Ahead! (1991)
• 2000 Young To Soca (2000 Re-Edition)
• The Xtatik Parade (2004)
• The Xtatik Experience (2005)
• B.O.D.Y. - Band Of D Year (2006)
• The Book of Angels (2007)
• Flame On, released as Winning Season in the United States (2008)
• Heavenly Drum (2009)
• Album 34 (2010)
• The Return (2011)
• Double M (2012)
• Going for Gold (2012) - Machel Montano and Friends
• Machelements (Volume 1) (2013)
• Happiest Man Alive (2014)
• Monk Monté (2015)
• Monk Evolution (2016)
• G.O.A.T. (2019)
• The Wedding Album (2021)
• One Degree Hotter (2025)

Xtatik Albums

• X Amount Ah Sweetnesss (1992)
• Soca Style Hot (1993)
• By All Means (EP) (1994)
• Loose Yuh Waist (1995)
• Men at Work (1996)
• Heavy Duty (1997)
• Xtatik Live (1997)
• Charge (1998)
• Any Minute Now (1999)
• Here Comes the Band (2000)
• Same High (2001)
• On the Cusp (2002)
• The Xtatik Circus (2003 – as "Xtatik Band 5.0")

Guest Appearances

• "With or Without You" and "Runaway" by Machel Montano with Walker Hornung from Q-South and The Brotherhood of the Grape (1999,2000)
• "Floor On Fire" by Lil' Jon featuring Pitbull and Machel Montano (2009)
• "Alright" by Pitbull featuring Machel Montano (from the album Planet Pit) (2010)
• "Can't Let Go" by Boyz II Men featuring Machel Montano (from the album Collide) (2014)
• "Shake Yuh Bum Bum" by Timaya featuring Machel Montano (2014)
• "All My Love (Remix)" by Major Lazer featuring Ariana Grande and Machel Montano (2015)
• "Taxi (Carnival Remix)" by Pitbull, Lil' Jon and Machel Montano (2016)
• "Carnaval (T&T Remix)" by Claudia Leitte featuring Pitbull and Machel Montano (2018)
• "Issa Vibe/Pick Your Position" by Motto featuring Skinny Fabulous and Machel Montano (2019)
• "Young Boy" by Calypso Rose featuring Machel Montano (2019)
• "Gud Gud" by Hey Choppi featuring Machel Montano (2021)
• "Soil Song" by Sounds of Isha featuring Machel Montano, Arjuna Harjai, Marge Blackman, and Sandeep Narayan (2022)
• "Come Awake" by Sounds of Isha featuring Machel Montano and Arjuna Harjai (2022)
• "Jessica (Island Remix)" by Michaël Brun featuring Charly Black, Machel Montano, and J Perry (2023)

Live Performances

Machel Montano is known for his exciting live shows. He performs at many festivals and concerts around the world. He has played in places like Jamaica, New York, Miami, and Barbados. His performances are always a big hit with fans.

See also

In Spanish: Machel Montano para niños