YESSSSSS! KING MACHEL!
Bob Marley once said “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” That’s exactly how Machel Montano‘s music makes me feel, which is why he’s this week’s artist of the moment.
I have been a Machel Montano fan for as long as I can remember. I got the opportunity to see him some years ago at a Miami Carnival.
I remember being a kid and imagining having a Fete in my room and jamming out to his song Too Young Too Soca. I loved that tune so much and still listen to it until this day.
Living in America, which is a melting pot of cultures, at one point only certain cultures seemed to get represented in media. If you were African-American, all that represented you was the Hip Hop culture. So you were outcasted if you didn’t fit into that culture. I come from a Jamaican family, so when I was younger and would play my Soca or Dancehall music, it was frowned upon by the other Black American kids. I remember playing a Dancehall song (which had a Reggaeton type beat) when I was younger and the Black American kids were laughing at me, saying that I was trying to be Mexican (Reggaeton is actually from Puerto Rico, so I think they meant Boriqua 🤷🏽♀️), and dissing my music. That experience made me realize how restricted the black culture was in certain parts of America. The black kids thought my music was stupid and not cool, which offended me growing up, because I didn’t think their Rap music was all that either.
Now times are changing. People are realizing how diverse the African/Black culture really is and that the Hip Hop culture DOESN’T DEFINE ALL AFRICAN/BLACK CULTURES.
I’ve always loved Machel’s music because it’s always about positive vibes and uplifting. His music isn’t the type of music that makes you want to go shoot up a club. His music is the type of music that makes you want to party like it’s your last day on Earth, and then go home and make love to your lover. Not only is his music positive, but this man’s spirit is on a whole nother level. When I read his positive words that he occasionally drops on an Instagram post, I always feel enlightened. His wisdom is so deep and I’m glad it reflects within his music.
Check out Machel Montano‘s track I Love You which is featured on the Soul Chase Riddim.