(Trinidad Guardian) Soca superstar Machel Montano has been crowned this year’s Calypso Monarch.
Montano maintained his form from the preliminary and semifinal rounds to claim his first title with his catchy composition “ Soul of Calypso” at the end of the Dimanche Gras show, a short while ago.
His performance, which had the audience in the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah on their feet throughout, was arguably the most memorable, energetic and highly anticipated in the competition in recent memory.
His victory makes that first person after Winston “The Mighty Shadow” Bailey to win the three major Carnival titles- Calypso Monarch, the Road March and the now-defunct Soca Monarch titles-during their musical career.
His mother Elizabeth joined him on stage to receive his prizes- an oversized ceremonial $500,000 cheque and a maroon Suzuki Grand Vitara, which he gifted to her.
In a brief interview, Montano, took a hiatus from Carnival this year as he pursued his Master’s Degree in Carnival Studies from the University of T&T (UTT), noted that he will defend his crown next year.
In second place was 2011 winner Karene Asche followed by Roderick “Chuck” Gordon, who won back to back titles in 2014 and 2015.
Kurt “The Last Bardjohn OF Calypso” Allen, who was a crowd favourite with his social commentary “De First Investigation”.
