Machel Montano Brings the Energy of Soca to Tiny Desk in a Historic Performance

Soca music, with its infectious rhythms and boundless energy, found an intimate yet electrifying stage in Machel Montano’s groundbreaking Tiny Desk Concert. As the first artist to bring soca to this globally recognized platform, Montano showcased the genre’s dynamic evolution from its roots in Trinidad and Tobago during the 1970s. Soca emerged when calypso—already a fusion of African, French, Venezuelan, and American influences—embraced Indian percussion and rhythms under the pioneering vision of Lord Shorty (later Ras Shorty I). Montano’s performance wasn’t just music; it was a vibrant cultural exchange that underscored soca’s universal appeal and its historical foundation in unity and celebration.

Montano’s setlist offered a journey through his storied career, featuring signature hits like “One More Time,” “Famalay,” “Like Ah Boss,” and “Soca Kingdom.” Backed by a stellar ensemble, including Etienne Charles on trumpet and Modupe Onilu on percussion, the performance radiated the communal spirit of soca. Attendees waved Caribbean flags, danced in joyous syncopation, and celebrated the genre’s core ethos: connection through movement and rhythm. For those new to soca, Montano’s Tiny Desk debut was an invitation to explore a genre steeped in cultural resilience and festive exuberance—a living testament to the unifying power of music.