Machel Montano
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Machel Montano and his band Xtatik have been the premier Soca band in the Caribbean for more than a decade and have established themselves as the leading draw at major events in New York City, Miami, Toronto, London and throughout the Caribbean Diasporas. Machel is recognized as the leading performer in the soca music genre and is highly regarded as well as a songwriter, producer and band leader.
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[edit] Early career
Machel began his career in 1982 at age seven in Trinidad and Tobago. As early as 1984, he formed his band Pranasonic Express now called Xtatik. Machel's debut album Too young to soca, released in 1985, was an instant hit which earned him many rave reviews and standing ovations wherever he performed.
In 1986, he appeared on Star Search in Hollywood bringing Soca Music to the screens of US National Television. He was described as a Stevie Wonder of Soca.[citation needed]Machel and Xtatik have performed with many popular international entertainment personalities including: Freddie Jackson, TLC, Third World, Shaggy, El Debarge, Destinys Child, The Boyz, Kris Kross, Buju Banton, Ziggy Marley, Garnet Silk, Shabba Ranks, Wyclef Jean, Stevie Wonder, Bounty Killa and many others.
In 1987, at the age of twelve, Machel became the first Trinidadian and youngest entertainer to win the Caribbean Song Festival. In 1991 at sixteen, he won the Young Kings Competition. Xtatik won best playing music band on the road for Caribana 94 and Miami Carnival 94. In 1995 Machel won Party Vocalist of the year and in 1996 Xtatik won Party band of the Year. In 1995 and 1997 Machel & Xtatik journeyed to London and mesmerized the sold out crowds.
[edit] Road March
In 1997 Machel became the youngest Road March King of Trinidad & Tobago and Xtatik's album Heavy Duty has been described as one of the best selling SOCA Albums ever.
Machel and Xtatik have produced 17 albums with 7 mini albums, 17 singles, 10 singles on compilation and 3 cassette singles. Some of their many hits include: "Too young to Soca", "Come dig it", "Big Truck", "Footsteps", "Real Unity", "We will carry on", "We not giving up", "Band of D Year" and many others.
[edit] Trivia
In October 2005 Machel was named a Goodwill Ambassador of Trindad and Tobago by the United Nations. During 2004 - 2005 Machel was part of program with UNICEF called Xchange. The idea for Xchange was first conceived by Machel and Derrick Lewis of Island People (a promotional group in Trinidad & Tobago) who together approached UNICEF. The idea received support from UNICEF and together it was conceptualized. Since then governments of the Caribbean (Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica) have also given their support.
In 2006 Machel and Xtatik alongside Patrice Roberts won the coveted Road March title during Carnival with their album title song "Band of D Year".
[edit] Latest performances
Machel's latest performance was in Grenada after Panorama on Saturday 12th August.
