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.
Like Ah Boss
Machel Montano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We comin down, say!
We comin tuh, like ah, like ah, like ahhh!
Everyday is fete, I come out tuh fete, ah Fete, ah fetein more than you!
Is sweat, I come out tuh sweat, ah wet, ah Sweatin more than you!
I come tuh wine and ah jam and ah sure Tuh catch it more than you!
Cause when ah fetein of course I does
Do it like ah bos!
Ah fetein mornin and evenin
Dis is meh home ah not leavin
Ah cyah get over dis feelin!
Dis feelin
Ah jus want tuh play mehself
Leave meh leh meh play ah mas!
I jus wah tuh wine on someting!
Meh pride in de lost and found!
Watch meh how ah winin down!
I all on de dutty ground!
And nuttin can stop me now!
Is whole year, ah live for de carnival
And I know, that it will be magical misbehavinn!
And ah doh care attal So doh try stop me, I ze ah professional
Everyday is fete, I come out tuh fete, ah
Fete, ah fetein more than you!
Is sweat, I come out tuh sweat, ah wet, ah
Sweatin more than you!
I come tuh wine and ah jam and ah sure
Tuh catch it more than you!
Cause when ah fetein of course I does
Do it like ah bos!
Ah fetein mornin and evenin
Dis is meh home ah not leavin
Ah cyah get over dis feelin!
Dis feelin
Trouble when ah leave meh house, I lookin fuh bacchanal!
All over de place ah huntin, winin up on every gyal!
All who ha tuh stop and stare, ah dutty and I doh care!
Ah jammin down anywhere, every fete I will be there!
Is whole year, ah live for de Carnival
And I know, that it will be magical misbehavinn!
And ah doh care attal So doh try stop me, I ze ah professional
Everyday is fete, I come out tuh fete, ah
Fete, ah fetein more than you!
Is sweat, I come out tuh sweat, ah wet, ah
Sweatin more than you!
I come tuh wine and ah jam and ah sure
Tuh catch it more than you!
Cause when ah fetein of course I does
Do it like ah bos!
Ah fetein mornin and evenin
Dis is meh home ah not leavin
Ah cyah get over dis feelin!
Dis feelin
Ah jus want tuh play mehself
Leave meh leh meh play ah mas!
I jus wah tuh wine on someting!
Meh pride in de lost and found!
Watch meh how ah winin down!
I all on de dutty ground!
And nuttin can stop me now!
The song "Like Ah Boss" by Machel Montano is an upbeat, lively piece that celebrates the joy that comes with the Caribbean Carnival season. The phrase "like a boss" implies doing things in a commanding and successful way, and the song encourages listeners to fete (party) like bosses. The lyrics speak of everyday being a fete, and the singer boasting about fetein (partying), sweatin, winin (dancing intimately with someone), and jammin (dancing energetically) more than others. The artist declares that he lives for the carnival season and nothing can stop him from jammin and winin down (dancing vigorously) to soca music.
The song's chorus speaks of the artist's pride in the carnival and finding joy in the festivities. He captures the feeling with the words "dis feelin" and emphasizes how he cannot "get over dis feelin." Montano acknowledges the potential trouble that could come when he leaves the house in search of bacchanal (wild and uninhibited fun) but ignores it to find wining (dancing intimately) opportunities anywhere. The song concludes with the artist declaring that his pride is in the "lost and found" (a metaphor for bringing joy to life) and nothing can stop him now.
Line by Line Meaning
Look trouble now, aye!
I sense that there could be a problem ahead
We comin down, say!
We're heading towards the location
We comin tuh, like ah, like ah, like ahhh!
We're arriving with great enthusiasm and energy
Everyday is fete, I come out tuh fete, ah Fete, ah fetein more than you!
Every day is a party, and I go to parties with more frequency and enthusiasm than you
Is sweat, I come out tuh sweat, ah wet, ah Sweatin more than you!
I go out to dance and work up a sweat more than you
I come tuh wine and ah jam and ah sure Tuh catch it more than you!
I go to dance and have a good time, and I'm sure to be fully engaged more than you
Cause when ah fetein of course I does
Because when I'm partying, I do it to the fullest
Do it like ah bos!
Do it with authority, like a boss
Ah fetein mornin and evenin
I party both in the morning and in the evening
Dis is meh home ah not leavin
This is my home, and I'm not leaving
Ah cyah get over dis feelin!
I can't get over this feeling of happiness and joy
Ah jus want tuh play mehself
I just want to have fun
Leave meh leh meh play ah mas!
Let me be, let me play mas (meaning to participate in the masquerade)
I jus wah tuh wine on someting!
I just want to dance with someone
Meh pride in de lost and found!
My joy is found in the lost and found (meaning the things lost and found during the festivities)
Watch meh how ah winin down!
Watch me dance and move my body rhythmically
I all on de dutty ground!
I'm down on the dirty ground, enjoying myself
And nuttin can stop me now!
And nothing can stop me now, I am unstoppable
Trouble when ah leave meh house, I lookin fuh bacchanal!
I'm always looking for some excitement and exploration whenever I leave my house
All over de place ah huntin, winin up on every gyal!
I'm hunting and dancing with every girl I encounter
All who ha tuh stop and stare, ah dutty and I doh care!
Anyone who needs to stop and stare at me dancing doesn't bother me at all
Ah jammin down anywhere, every fete I will be there!
I'm dancing and having fun everywhere I go, and I'll be there at every party
Is whole year, ah live for de carnival
I live for carnival all year round
And I know, that it will be magical misbehavinn!
And I know it will be a magical moment of wild behavior
And ah doh care attal So doh try stop me, I ze ah professional
And I don't care at all, so don't try to stop me, I'm a professional partygoer
Fete, ah fetein more than you!
I party with more frequency and enthusiasm than you
Is sweat, I come out tuh sweat, ah wet, ah Sweatin more than you!
I go out to dance and work up a sweat more than you
Tuh catch it more than you!
I'm sure to be fully engaged in the dancing and festivities more than you
Writer(s): Machel Montano, Kory Hart, Kevon Hart, Deputy
Contributed by Xavier E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
J
Taking a class on Trinidadian culture in college right now. This song just cheers me up! It's so great.
J
Years later we are in the Caribbean (Antigua) and heard this song today. Amazing!
pain almighty
@J ๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น๐น
Nirmala Kuhl
Which college are you studying this? Great to know they're doing this....it's so sad that people go through lives not knowing this music
Fizzini Life
What college is this. Honestly Iโm 22 and I need to known๐น๐น๐น๐น
Livid -zii
@J legend ๐ค๐พ
Carrie J
One of the most professional soca music videos i've ever seen and will surely appeal and impact the genre of soca on an international level
Anthony Ramsahai
This is my uncle favorite song & he recently passed away & for his funeral every car played this all the way to the cremation sight & back. Funny that he was a boss & owned his own company #RIPUNCLEDAVE #LikeAhBoss
ShurikenPlay
Rest to your uncle.
RealDeal Gaming
R. I. P