Veteran calypso and soca star Machel Montano has made history, capturing his 12th Road March title to become the all-time record holder at the conclusion of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2026 Carnival celebrations on February 18, 2026.
Montano secured the crown with his hit song Encore, surpassing the late calypso legend Lord Kitchener (Alwyn Roberts). The two had been tied after Montano’s victory in the 2025 competition.
“This historic milestone is a testament to his consistency, talent, and undeniable impact on our Carnival culture. Year after year, he continues to raise the bar and unite the nation through music,” Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin said in a Facebook post.
During the two-day judging period, Encore was played 171 times to clinch the title. Montano outpaced Aaron “Voice” St Louis, the youngest International Soca Monarch winner, whose song Cyah Behave was played 127 times, and Bunji Garlin’s Still a Road Man, which received 97 plays.
Montano, one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated soca and calypso artistes, began his career at a young age as the frontman of Xtatik and rose to prominence with high-energy performances and crossover hits such as Big Truck, Like Ah Boss, Fast Wine, Mr. Fete, and Famalay with Skinny Fabulous and Bunji Garlin. Over the years, he has won multiple International Soca Monarch titles and performed on major international stages, playing a key role in expanding soca music’s global reach.
In other Carnival results, Lost Tribe, a member of the Tribe Carnival Group, claimed both the Large Band of the Year and overall Band of the Year titles with its presentation, Island Circus. The band had recently faced criticism from Roman Catholic Archbishop Jason Gordon over the distribution of sex toys in goodie bags to female masqueraders.
Second place in the Band of the Year category went to Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra for Sailors Ashore in Japan, while Paparazzi Carnival placed third with Elope: Destination I Do.
