Machel Montano, the king of soca and multi-award-winning artist, has decided not to participate in the next instalment of Trinidad Carnival as he will be neck deep with his thesis.
The Like Yuh Self singer has been singing for the past 42 years and is pursuing his master’s degree in Carnival studies at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). He announced at a ceremony held on his behalf, where he received the key to the City of San Fernando, that he was in his second year and writing his thesis.
He also said, “Music is not seen as academia, but if you take it serious enough, as I have done, you can reach very far, and you would be able to stand on the stage just like me”, believing that it was going to inspire others.
He emphasised that though the thesis was intense as it required studying the history of calypso, steelband and mas and combining academic writing, history and social science, he believed that he is “doing all of this because I want to set a foundation for the next level of Machel Montano’s who are coming.”
Machel received the keys to the City of San Fernando at Skinner Park on Sunday 10 December, from Mayor Robert Parris.
