He is the frontman of the immensely popular soca band Xtatik, and is noted for his high energy, fast-paced, and often unpredictable on-stage performances. During his career, which spans over 25 years, he has recorded several songs alongside many of Caribbean music's most popular acts, such as Alison Hinds, Beenie Man, Calypso Rose, Burning Flames, Drupatee, Red Rat, Shaggy, Sparrow, Denise Belfon, Destra, Wyclef Jean, Vybz Kartel, G-Unit, Black Stalin, Mr. Vegas, Doug E Fresh and many others. He now stands as the most sought after soca act in the World.
Born in South Trinidad, Machel attended Presentation College a prestigious secondary school in Trinidad where he was in the choir. Machel first shot to fame as a young boy with the song "Too Young To Soca". In 1984 along with brothers and neighbours the group Parnasonic Express was started and in 1989, the band became Xtatik. The band developed and was re-invented by leader Machel several times as Xtatik 5.0, The Xtatik Circus, Xtatik The Road Marching Band, The Band of the Year and many others. Every year Machel has a new concert to keep his band and his performances fresh.
This year, 2007 they are known as Machel Montano HD (High Definition) and he promotes the concept by saying that he is the first human being to go HD. He is part of the huge campaign in Trinidad and Tobago promoting safe driving - Arrive Alive. Part of the hype surrounding the ever-evolving Machel this year is his HD tour bus. A 20 year old bus from the Public Transport Service Corporation was re-done and includes a bedroom, bathroom facilities, flat screen TVs, inernet access and expansive audio systems. The HD concept seems fitting as the band Xtatik has in the last few years the band has risen to a new level of musicality as each performance is very tight musically and has foreign influences such as Ernesto Luis Gutirrez, its Venezualan percussionist. Kernal Roberts, the son of the late, great Lord Kitchener, internationally famous calypsonian has picked up the role as Xtatik's drummer and musical director and has brought new life to the band.
Montano was also instrumental in the promotion of soca music during the BBC's radio show called 1Xtra. 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), "Band Of The Year" (with Patrice Roberts)(Road March Song for 2006), and "Jumbie" (Road March Song for 2007). Most recently, Montano has taken on a new stage title, refering to himself and his band as "Machel Montano HD" (High Definition), which he claims is a representation of the the evolution of his music over the last 25 years and highly improved style in which his music shall be presented to his fans over radio formats, television, and during live performances.
Don't Judge Me
Machel Montano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So when you see me this Carnival: don't judge me!
Carnival is who I am...
I need you to understand... Don′t Judge Me... Judge Me!
See me wukkin up meh waist
All eyes on me in de place, ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
Wining alone by mehself, or wining on someone else
When ah wine down low, and doh care who know: whoa-oooh-wow Doh Judge Me At All
When ah break away, on Carnival Day: All ah say: Doh Judge Me At All
When we hit de streets on de road –— and havin' ah ball
Where woman look so sweet an ah try—to wine up on all!
I've got a lot of stress and problem on my mind—more than you know
And Soca music is the blessing that I find —to let it go!
See me wukkin up meh waist
All eyes on me in de place, ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
Wining alone by mehself, or wining on someone else
Ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
When ah back-back so, and doh care who know: whoa-oooh-whoa Doh Judge Me At All
When ah break away, Carnival Tuesday: All ah say: Doh Judge Me At All
When ah buy ah bottle ah rum —see all ah meh friends
And we drink an wine an get on— til de party ends
Oye...
Whenever I′ve got stress and problems on my mind—more than you know
Soca music is the blessing that I find —to let it go!
See me wukkin up meh waist
All eyes on me in de place, ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
Wining alone by mehself, or wining on someone else
Ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
Carnival is who I am...
I need you to understand... Don′t Judge Me... Judge Me!
See me wukkin up meh waist
All eyes on me in de place, ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
Wining alone by mehself, or wining on someone else
Ah beg yuh doh judge me at all (repeats)
Machel Montano's "Don't Judge Me" is a song about the societal judgement of revelers during Carnival. The song's message is that even though some people may misinterpret the behavior of the revelers, they should not be judged for letting loose during the festivities. Montano asserts that Carnival is a part of who he is and asks listeners to try to understand that without stereotyping or judgment. He implores the listener not to judge him as he wukkin up his waist in front of others, whether alone or in someone else's company, or when he is drinking and having fun with friends.
Through the lyrics of the song, Montano conveys that the Carnival season is an escape for people who need to release their stress and have some fun. These lyrics also showcase the unifying feature of the carnival season as it brings people from all walks of life together to celebrate life and music. Montano uses the term "Soca music" to represent the joy of being alive and present in the festive season, no matter what life's challenges may be.
In conclusion, Machel Montano's "Don't Judge Me" is an anthem that dissects the stereotypes and prejudices that often accompany the Carnival season. Through his lyrics, Montano invites society to embrace and celebrate the carnival as an opportunity to let loose and find joy in the present moment while respecting each other's beliefs and values.
Line by Line Meaning
So when you see me this Carnival: don't judge me!
I am who I am during Carnival and I ask you to accept me without judgment.
Carnival is who I am...
Carnival is a part of my identity.
I need you to understand... Don′t Judge Me... Judge Me!
I want you to understand and not judge me, but instead accept me for who I am.
See me wukkin up meh waist
Watch me dance and move my hips.
All eyes on me in de place, ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
I'm the center of attention, but I'm asking you not to judge me.
Wining alone by mehself, or wining on someone else
I enjoy dancing alone or with others.
Ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
I ask you not to judge me.
When ah wine down low, and doh care who know: whoa-oooh-wow Doh Judge Me At All
Even when I'm dancing provocatively, I still don't want judgment.
When ah break away, on Carnival Day: All ah say: Doh Judge Me At All
During Carnival, I might dance in ways that are not conventional, and I don't want to be judged for that.
When we hit de streets on de road –— and havin' ah ball
When we are marching down the streets having a good time.
Where woman look so sweet an ah try—to wine up on all!
Women look beautiful and I might dance with many of them.
I've got a lot of stress and problem on my mind—more than you know
I have a lot of stress and problems that you might not know about.
And Soca music is the blessing that I find —to let it go!
Soca music helps me release my stress and get lost in the moment.
When ah back-back so, and doh care who know: whoa-oooh-whoa Doh Judge Me At All
Even when I'm dancing in unconventional ways, I still don't want judgment.
When ah break away, Carnival Tuesday: All ah say: Doh Judge Me At All
Even on the peak day of Carnival, I still want to dance without judgment.
When ah buy ah bottle ah rum —see all ah meh friends
When I buy a bottle of rum and share it with friends.
And we drink an wine an get on— til de party ends
We drink, dance, and party until the end of the night.
Whenever I′ve got stress and problems on my mind—more than you know
I have stress and problems that are weighing on me.
Soca music is the blessing that I find —to let it go!
Soca music helps me let go of my stress and problems.
Carnival is who I am...
Carnival is a fundamental part of my life and identity.
I need you to understand... Don′t Judge Me... Judge Me!
I want you to accept me as I am without judgment.
See me wukkin up meh waist
Watch me dance and move my hips.
All eyes on me in de place, ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
I'm the center of attention, but I don't want judgment.
Wining alone by mehself, or wining on someone else
I enjoy dancing alone or with others.
Ah beg yuh doh judge me at all
I ask you not to judge me.
Writer(s): Machel Montano, Michael Hulsmeier, Scott Galt, Rupert Clarke
Contributed by Lucy B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@payman4637
I LOVE Soca and especially Machel Montano, ABSOLUTE LOVE from Iran! 🇮🇷🇹🇹I want more of my Iranian brothers and sisters to become familiar with the BEAUTIFUL country, culture and music of Trinidad and the entire Caribbean!
@ericfelix152
this song is growing on me . Don't judge me at all . 5 stars .
@CitricPsycho
this is a crazy good song!!! proud to be from the Caribbean
@vilnaj
Very infectious. Good work guys.
@vynniev
one of his best I think...and the message is a good one...with all the freeing up that happens in Carnival...doh judge!
@gabbie551
nice way to bring in the new year
@gonzales2mike69
Big tune can't stop him !!!!
@plattheadz
luvin this tune..........don't judge me at all
@anthonyjadoo3536
your going bad michel montano!
@dcrusader123
Gosh, am in love with this song ! Big up from Greenz