Machel Montano: Difference between revisions
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i have added new information on Machels early life and career. I also added two new stubs for Machels recent involvment in the media in attempt to broaden musical horizons and expand his growing fan base. The last stub was added for the elaboration of hi |
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== Early career == |
== Early career == |
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Montano was born in [[Carenage]] (West [[Trinidad]]), and his family moved to [[Siparia]], South Trinidad, when he was very young. He attended Siparia Boys' R.C., then [[Presentation College]], a prestigious [[secondary school]] in [[San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago|San Fernando]], where he was in the [[choir]] led by Mrs Cynthia Lee-Mack. Machel first shot to fame as a nine-year-old boy with the song "Too Young To Soca" while he was still in primary school. In 1984, along with his older brother Marcus and neighbours, the group Pranasonic Express was started and, in 1989, the band became [[Xtatik]]. |
Montano was born in [[Carenage]] (West [[Trinidad]]), and his family moved to [[Siparia]], South Trinidad, when he was very young. He attended Siparia Boys' R.C., then [[Presentation College]], a prestigious [[secondary school]] in [[San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago|San Fernando]], where he was in the [[choir]] led by Mrs Cynthia Lee-Mack. Machel first shot to fame as a nine-year-old boy with the song "Too Young To Soca" while he was still in primary school. In 1984, along with his older brother Marcus and neighbours, the group Pranasonic Express was started and, in 1989, the band became [[Xtatik]]. In April, 1986, at the age of 11, Montano appeared on the main stream television show, "Star Search".<ref>{{cite web|title=An exclusive interview with soca star Machel Montano|url=http://search.proquest.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/docview/390234325|accessdate=04.01.14}}</ref> In 1987, he took part in the,"Trinidad and Tobago National Song Writers Festival", and placed second with his song "Dream Girl". He also won the Caribbean Song Festival in Barbados. Such a win made Machel the first Trinidadian and youngest contestant to win this competition.<ref>{{cite web|last=Montano|first=Machel|title=Montano Bio|url=http://machel.mworldonline.com/info/bio|publisher=Machel Montano|accessdate=04.01.14}}</ref> |
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== Machel Montano HD - concepts == |
== Machel Montano HD - concepts == |
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In Trinidad's [[Carnival Road March]] Competition for Carnival 2008, Montano's song "Blazin d Trail" placed third even though it was a crowd favourite{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} when played at Carnival fetes during the Carnival season of 2008. |
In Trinidad's [[Carnival Road March]] Competition for Carnival 2008, Montano's song "Blazin d Trail" placed third even though it was a crowd favourite{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} when played at Carnival fetes during the Carnival season of 2008. |
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In 2011, Machel won the [[International Soca Monarch]] competition defeating the likes of Iwer George (2nd) and [[Bunji Garlin]] (3rd) after a fierce night of competition. In the end, Machel walked away with the [[Trinidad and Tobago dollar|TT$]]2 million dollar prize and the first [[International Soca Monarch]] title of his career. He then went on to win the [[Carnival Road March]] title with the same hit 'Advantage' by a landslide victory. |
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In 2012, Montano once again won the [[International Soca Monarch|International Power Soca Monarch]] with the song "Pump Yuh Flag", again receiving the [[Trinidad and Tobago dollar|TT$]]2 million-dollar prize and title. He was also as Groovy Soca Monarch, ousting the reigning Groovy Soca Monarch King [[Kes (band)|Kes Diffenthaller]] and crowd favorite Kerwin Du Bois, who placed second in the competition. Topping off the Carnival season in Trinidad & Tobago, Montano won the [[Carnival Road March]] title (for "Pump Yuh Flag" - played 233 times). His closest challengers were [[Fay-Ann Lyons|Fay Ann Lyons]] (96) and Iwer George (84). |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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{{Empty section|date=March 2013}} |
{{Empty section|date=March 2013}} |
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Machel Montano is cousin to Renaco Massenburg, aka Michael Noel, owner of I Tune You In Ltd, ituneyouin.com, a New York-based company specializing in promoting unsigned artists. |
Machel Montano is cousin to Renaco Massenburg, aka Michael Noel, owner of I Tune You In Ltd, ituneyouin.com, a New York-based company specializing in promoting unsigned artists. |
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== 2013 - 2014 Media == |
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Since 2013, Machel has continuously been releasing a steady stream of music with both audio and visual components. On January 20th, 2013 Machel Montano released the official video for his hit- single, "The Fog" from his 16th solo album, "Machelements". On January 27th, 2013, Machel then released another video for his single "Float". Two days after another visual was released for yet another one of his well known songs, "Happiest Man Alive". Other songs that were followed by immediate visuals are "Epic", taking two months to create and release, and "Ministry of Road", taking less than one month to follow up on. |
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Only in recent years has Machel began to take advantage of social media. By using social media platforms such as [[Facebook]], [[Instagram]] (machelmontano), [[My Space]], [[YouTube]] and [[Twitter]] (@machelmontanohd) more frequently, Machel has been able to project his presence not only in the Caribbean genre of [[Soca music]], but in other genres as well. Machel has been able to expand and create music outside of his respected field by collaborating with various artists outside of the Soca Genre. One genre of music Machel took interest in most recently (2014) is electric dance music, also commonly known as EMD. Collaborating with well known EMD artists, [[Major Lazer]] and Diplo, the three artists created an original sounding, EMD song with a Soca vibe, called "Sound Bang" (released January 9th, 2014). Not only was Machel able to portray his musical abilities in other genres to his fans, but through tools of social media, he is now able to communicate with his fans on a more personal level creating a more solid fan base for himself. |
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== International Soca Monarchs == |
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The [[International Soca Monarch]] competition is an annual contest between various competing Soca artists. Within this competition there are two sub-categories which contestants can place in. One of which is the Power Soca Monarch; a competition for upbeat songs while the International Groovy Soca Monarch is for Soca songs of a Slower tempo. In 2011, Machel won his first Soca Monarch competition (from Power Soca Monarchs) for his performance for the song "Advantage". In the years 2012 and 2013, Machel won back to back times in both sub-categories for his performance of his songs "Pump Yuh Flag" and "Mr. Fete", in 2012 and, "Float" and, "The Fog", in 2013, winning TT$2 Million each time. Machel also won the Power Soca Monarch in 2014 for his song "Ministry of Road", however he was dethroned by Kerwin Du Bois and his hit song "Too Real" in the Groovy Soca Monarch category. In recent news, Machel set a new record after winning the 2014 Power Monarch, becoming the first artist/ performer to win a total of four titles. <ref>{{cite news|last=D.|first=Bonn|title=Machel Sets New Record|url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Machel-retains-Power-Soca-Monarch-248009941.html|accessdate=04.03.2014|newspaper=Trinidad Express|date=03.01.2014}}</ref> |
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== Discography == |
== Discography == |
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Revision as of 09:49, 3 April 2014
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Machel Montano | |
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.jpg) Machel Montano performing in Sap Paulo, Brazil in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Boy Boy, Mr.Fete, Double M |
| Born | 24 November 1974 Carenage, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Origin | Siparia, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Genres | Soca |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer, song-writer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Website | www.machelmontano.com |
Machel Montano (born 24 November 1974)[1] is a Trinidadian soca singer, record producer and songwriter.
He is the frontman of the popular soca band The HD Family, and is noted for his high energy, fast-paced, and often unpredictable on-stage performances. During his career, which spans over 30 years,[2] he has recorded several songs alongside many of Caribbean music's most popular acts, such as Lerone Guy of St Anthony's College, Alison Hinds, Beenie Man, Calypso Rose, Burning Flames, Drupatee, Wyclef Jean, Canibus, Red Rat, Shaggy, Sparrow, Denise Belfon, Ken Marlon Charles (KMC), Destra, Walker Hornung, Vybz Kartel, Mohombi, G-Unit, Black Stalin, David Rudder, Buju Banton, Mr. Vegas, Doug E. Fresh, Pitbull, Busta Rhymes and many others. In 1987 he was the youngest finalist to ever win the Caribbean Song Festival. He now stands as one of the most well-known soca acts in the world, using his leverage as an artist able to sell out shows.[3] Recently he has moved to the Los Angeles area[4] and furthered his pursuit saying: "I may not be the one to bring it forth, but in the meantime, I have a lot of work to do in order for something to happen." He is very well known in New York, where he has had sold out concerts in Madison Square Gardens many times over.[5]
Early career
Montano was born in Carenage (West Trinidad), and his family moved to Siparia, South Trinidad, when he was very young. He attended Siparia Boys' R.C., then Presentation College, a prestigious secondary school in San Fernando, where he was in the choir led by Mrs Cynthia Lee-Mack. Machel first shot to fame as a nine-year-old boy with the song "Too Young To Soca" while he was still in primary school. In 1984, along with his older brother Marcus and neighbours, the group Pranasonic Express was started and, in 1989, the band became Xtatik. In April, 1986, at the age of 11, Montano appeared on the main stream television show, "Star Search".[6] In 1987, he took part in the,"Trinidad and Tobago National Song Writers Festival", and placed second with his song "Dream Girl". He also won the Caribbean Song Festival in Barbados. Such a win made Machel the first Trinidadian and youngest contestant to win this competition.[7]
Machel Montano HD - concepts
The band developed and was re-invented by its leader Montano several times, including as Clamydia, The Xtatik Circus, Xtatik The Road Marching Band and The Band of the Year, as part of his Zen battle to keep his band and his performances fresh. Since 2007 they have been known as Machel Montano HD (High Definition); Montano promotes the concept by saying that he is the first human being to go HD. He claims this is characterises the evolution of his music over the past 25 years and the highly improved style in which his music is presented to his fans in radio format, television, and during live performances. He is part of a campaign in Trinidad and Tobago to promote safe driving - "Arrive Alive". Part of the hype surrounding Montano since 2007 is his HD tour bus, a 20-year-old bus from the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) that was re-done and includes a bedroom, bathroom facilities, flat-screen TVs, Internet access and expensive audio systems. After its debut in 2007, the bus was re-painted for 2008, the new images of Machel matching various photos from the album artwork of his 2008 CD, Flame On. The bus featured heavily in his videos for "Jumbie" (2007) and "Rollin/Blazin d Trail" (2008). In 2012 Montano won the Road March, Power Soca Monarch and the Groovy Soca Monarch. He won the Groovy Soca Monarch with his rendition of "Mr. Fete". In May 2012 he launched the music video to his hit single "Bottle Of Rum".
.JPG)
Xtatik's music
In the past few years the band has risen to a new level of musicality, with each performance very tight musically, and includes foreign influences such as its Venezuelan percussionist Ernesto Luis Gutirrez, Shawn Mitchell, bassist from Grenada and musicians from Barbados. Kernal Roberts, son of the late calypsonian Lord Kitchener, has taken up the role of Xtatik's drummer and musical director. bringing new life to the band.
Montano was instrumental in the promotion of soca music in the United Kingdom on the BBC's black music digital radio station BBC Radio 1Xtra, where he co-presented the International Sounds of Soca show for four years with DJ Slic.[8] He has released many successful singles, with and without Xtatik, during his career, such as "Big Truck" (Xtatik's most successful single, which won the Road March title in 1997), "Outa Space" (with Beenie Man), "Music Farm" (Xtatik), "It's Carnival" (with Destra), and his more recent back-to-back Road March title wins: for 2006, "Band Of The Year" (with Patrice Roberts), and in 2007 "Jumbie".
His album Flame On, released in February 2008, featured collaborations with some of the most esteemed artistes in calypso, such as David Rudder on "Oil and Music" and the Mighty Sparrow on "Congo Man". These two collaborations were well-received all around, especially "Congo Man". Flame On also includes Clamydia with other well-known artistes from various genres including soca, reggae, rap and reggaeton. Examples of these partnerships can be heard on the following tracks: Patrice Roberts on "Rollin", Shaggy on "Wining Season", Buju Banton on "Make Love" and finally Lil Jon and Pitbull on "Defense (The Anthem)".
Flame On displays the very strong relationship between Machel Montano and his right-hand man Kernal Roberts, who was involved in the writing of eight out of the 13 tracks on the album.
In Trinidad's Carnival Road March Competition for Carnival 2008, Montano's song "Blazin d Trail" placed third even though it was a crowd favourite[citation needed] when played at Carnival fetes during the Carnival season of 2008.
Personal life
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2013) |
Machel Montano is cousin to Renaco Massenburg, aka Michael Noel, owner of I Tune You In Ltd, ituneyouin.com, a New York-based company specializing in promoting unsigned artists.
2013 - 2014 Media
Since 2013, Machel has continuously been releasing a steady stream of music with both audio and visual components. On January 20th, 2013 Machel Montano released the official video for his hit- single, "The Fog" from his 16th solo album, "Machelements". On January 27th, 2013, Machel then released another video for his single "Float". Two days after another visual was released for yet another one of his well known songs, "Happiest Man Alive". Other songs that were followed by immediate visuals are "Epic", taking two months to create and release, and "Ministry of Road", taking less than one month to follow up on.
Only in recent years has Machel began to take advantage of social media. By using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram (machelmontano), My Space, YouTube and Twitter (@machelmontanohd) more frequently, Machel has been able to project his presence not only in the Caribbean genre of Soca music, but in other genres as well. Machel has been able to expand and create music outside of his respected field by collaborating with various artists outside of the Soca Genre. One genre of music Machel took interest in most recently (2014) is electric dance music, also commonly known as EMD. Collaborating with well known EMD artists, Major Lazer and Diplo, the three artists created an original sounding, EMD song with a Soca vibe, called "Sound Bang" (released January 9th, 2014). Not only was Machel able to portray his musical abilities in other genres to his fans, but through tools of social media, he is now able to communicate with his fans on a more personal level creating a more solid fan base for himself.
International Soca Monarchs
The International Soca Monarch competition is an annual contest between various competing Soca artists. Within this competition there are two sub-categories which contestants can place in. One of which is the Power Soca Monarch; a competition for upbeat songs while the International Groovy Soca Monarch is for Soca songs of a Slower tempo. In 2011, Machel won his first Soca Monarch competition (from Power Soca Monarchs) for his performance for the song "Advantage". In the years 2012 and 2013, Machel won back to back times in both sub-categories for his performance of his songs "Pump Yuh Flag" and "Mr. Fete", in 2012 and, "Float" and, "The Fog", in 2013, winning TT$2 Million each time. Machel also won the Power Soca Monarch in 2014 for his song "Ministry of Road", however he was dethroned by Kerwin Du Bois and his hit song "Too Real" in the Groovy Soca Monarch category. In recent news, Machel set a new record after winning the 2014 Power Monarch, becoming the first artist/ performer to win a total of four titles. [9]
Discography
Solo albums
- Too Young to Soca? (1986)
- 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 Experience (2005)
- B.O.D.Y. (2006)
- The Book of Angels (2007)
- Flame on, released as Wining Season in the United States (2008)
- Heavenly Drum (2009)
- The Return (2011)
- Double M (2012)
- Going for Gold (2012)- Machel Montano and Friends
- Machelements (Volume 1) (2013)- Machel Montano
Xtatik albums
- X Amount Ah Sweetnesss (1992)
- Soca Style Hot (1993)
- By All Means (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")
- The Xtatik Parade (2004)
References
- ^ Thompson, Dave (2002), Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6, p. 300-301.
- ^ "Machel Montano Heart & Soul - He opens up on children , women , life and music", Trinidad Express Newspapers, 2 March 2012.
- ^ Wayne Bowman, "Machel for Radio City", Trinidad express Newspapers, 6 February 2011.
- ^ Bobie-lee Dixon, "Machel Montano Soca Monarch Artiste of the Week", Trinidad and Tobago Guardian Online, 11 January 2012.
- ^ New York Amsterdam News, Vol. 98, Issue 39, pp. 24-25, 20 September 2007.
- ^ "An exclusive interview with soca star Machel Montano". Retrieved 04.01.14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Montano, Machel. "Montano Bio". Machel Montano. Retrieved 04.01.14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "1Xtra announces August 2004 activity" (press release), BBC, 8 July 2004.
- ^ D., Bonn (03.01.2014). "Machel Sets New Record". Trinidad Express. Retrieved 04.03.2014.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help)
External links
- Machel Montano website
- BET J to air Machel Montano Trinidad & Tobago special - Saturday, March 24, 2007: CaribbeanNetNews
- Machel Montano Performs at Miami Broward Carnival 2012.
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