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.
The FOG
Machel Montano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dust di place
Dust di place
This one goin' an'
Dust di place
This one goin' an' fog up de place
Dust di place
This one goin' an'
Dust di place
This one goin' an'
Dust di place
Leweee go ha
I'm winin' up in de session aye
I'm gettin' on like I neva
Jam a bumpa yet
But I'm in deep concentration oh
And every eye on me so
Iz now the stage done set
For the dust to rise whoa oh
Powder in your eye
Now we come to life whoa oh
We dustin' dem from aside
Gyal dem peltin waist
Powder in your face
Foggin' up the place
In the uptown session
Well we havin' a nice time
From one fete to the next one
Well you know that is my style
And when I reach downtown
With this thunder now
Touchdown, I want to jump around
And all the gyal dem bound to
Go down, go down
Now everybody surround
That's why I love powder
Everybody fete'n is powder
Everybody gettin' it powder
Everybody catchin' it powder
This is how we celebrate
And you cannot get away
Powder!
I losin' all me complexion
I givin' them performance
They never see that yet
And I'ze a man on a mission oh
The more they run from me well
The more crazy I get
So now the dust will rise, whoa powder in your eye
Now we come to life, whoa we dustin them from aside
Girl dem peltin waist
Powder in your face
Foggin' up the place
In the uptown session
Well we havin' a nice time
From one fete to the next one
Well you know that is my style
And when I reach downtown
With this thunder now
Touchdown, I want to jump around
And all the gyal dem bound to
Go down, go down
Now everybody surround
That's why I love powder
Everybody fete'n is powder
Everybody gettin' it powder
Everybody catchin' it powder
This is how we celebrate
And you cannot get away
Powder!
This one goin' an' fog up de place
If you afraid then come out we face
We come out to play mas
And we do fraid powder
Say we come out to play mas
And we do fraid powder
Tell them that we come out to play mas
And we do fraid powder
Tell them that we come out to play mas
And we do fraid
Everybody gettin' it!
In the uptown session
Well we havin' a nice time
From one fete to the next one
Well you know that is my style
And when I reach downtown
With this thunder now
Touchdown, I want to jump around
And all the gyal dem bound to
Go down, go down
Now everybody surround
That's why I love powder
Everybody fete'n is powder
Everybody gettin' it powder
Everybody catchin' it powder
This is how we celebrate
And you cannot get away
Powder!
That's why I love powder
Everybody fete'n is powder
Everybody gettin' it powder
Everybody catchin' it powder
This is how we celebrate
And you cannot get away
Powder!
The lyrics to Machel Montano's song "The FOG" describes the joy and celebration that takes place during carnival season in the Caribbean. The phrase "fog up de place" refers to the powder that is used to celebrate during carnival. The use of the powder is seen as a symbol of freedom and a release of inhibitions as people let their hair down and enjoy themselves. The lyrics also speak to the cultural significance of carnival and its ability to bring people together from different social backgrounds.
The song has a celebratory tone and the use of the word "powder" is a constant reminder of the festive joy that is associated with carnival. The repetition of the phrases "dust di place" and "powder in your face" add to the carefree nature of the song. The lyrics also express the energy and excitement of carnival, with lines such as "touchdown, I want to jump around" and "girl dem peltin waist."
Overall, Machel Montano's "The FOG" is a song that celebrates the joy and freedom that are associated with carnival, while also recognizing the cultural significance of the event in the Caribbean.
Line by Line Meaning
This one goin' an' fog up de place
I'm about to create an awesome party atmosphere with dust and powder
Leweee go ha
I'm getting ready to party hard
I'm winin' up in de session aye
I'm dancing passionately in the party
I'm gettin' on like I neva
I'm dancing with full energy and enthusiasm
Jam a bumpa yet
I'm not yet tired of dancing
But I'm in deep concentration oh
I'm completely focused on dancing and enjoying the party
And every eye on me so
Everyone is looking at me and enjoying my dancing
Iz now the stage done set
The environment is perfect for the party to get started
For the dust to rise whoa oh
The dust and powder are beginning to spread and create a party atmosphere
Powder in your eye
The dust and powder are making it hard to see
Now we come to life whoa oh
The party is in full swing
We dustin' dem from aside
We're sweeping away the dust and powder to prepare for more dancing
Gyal dem peltin waist
The girls are dancing heartily and joyfully
Powder in your face
The powder is making everyone happy and playful
Foggin' up the place
The party atmosphere is getting intense and wild
Tell them that we come out to play mas
We're here to party hard with lots of dancing
And we do fraid powder
We love the powder and are not afraid of getting dirty
That's why I love powder
The powder creates a unique and exciting party experience
Everybody fete'n is powder
Everyone is partying and having a great time with the powder
Everybody gettin' it powder
Everyone is covered in powder and enjoying it
Everybody catchin' it powder
Everyone is throwing and catching the powder, adding to the festive atmosphere
This is how we celebrate
This party with dust and powder is how we like to celebrate
And you cannot get away
You can't resist the fun and excitement of this party
Writer(s): Machel Montano, Nikholai Greene, Kory Hart, Kasey Michael Phillips, Kevon Hart
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shanesuperville766
Still one of the most legendary Soca songs eight years after its release
@chamaineroberts6792
Dvhhfbkgmbnhnvbmv nnvñj
@charmicaroberts4252
Fghggh you
@vee8599
And for years to come as well
@kxng_mally5861
Try ten years after!!!!!
@lunaoyashii
This song and video depicts EXACTLY what it feels like to be a Trinibagonian!!! There is NOTHING like the spirit and culture of Trinidad!
They call us TnT because we're the BOMB baby!
Big ups to all my fellow Trinibagonians, ah love alyuh three bad!
🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾🔥🔥🔥
@cyber6sapien
Ahh Telllin yoooou!!!!
@rawhenrnh
Correct is right! 🇹🇹🔥🔥🔥
@ToriRaj29
I cannot understand how ppl can not like Soca and Carnival, is really who we are. This is a beautiful summary of what it means to be Trini, if only we had this attitude all through the year, life here would be even better. Keep up the gr8 work MM...bless
@mariapersaud
Umm no.