In Tropicalfete quest to showcase and promote Caribbean culture to the World, Tropicalfete presented its annual Top 100 International Caribbean songs for 2012 at Negril Village Lounge in New York City last Thursday. “Tropicalfete’s Top 100 Song Countdown is the only chart that brings together the variety of cultures, languages and rhythms emanating from the Caribbean. From platinum selling hit makers like Rihanna, Sean Paul and Pit Bull to Haitian compa bands, carnival soca anthems or dancehall boomshots, these 100 songs reflect the soundtrack of life across the Caribbean and the influence of the region’s sounds on the musical mainstream.” said journalist Patricia Meschino.
The selectors for the night Msz Trini, Shadow Storm, & Power Book played the top songs for the year under the guidance of Keran Deterville the host. Owen and Ardie both had noteworthy performances. 7IGHQ the Band did an incredible job entertaining the audience with songs such as Mr. Fete, Bruk It Down, Cheaters Prayer, Bachannalist to name a few. According to lead vocalist of 7IGHQ The Band, Julius D Intelligent it was a great feeling when he came to the end of his performance and the crowd did not want him to stop singing. The band’s 30 minute set was extended for an extra 20 minutes. One more, two more, encore were some of the things the dancers on the dance floor were chanting.
This years number one (1) song was Mr Fete by the dynamic, high-energy singer, song-writer and producer, Machel Montano of Trinidad and Tobago. Montano has a recod six (6) tunes on the chart. The ever consistent Montano who has performed to sold out concerts in Madison Square Garden, has a musical career that spans over thirty (30) years and has collaborated with the likes of the Mighty Sparrow, Destra, Beenie Man, Pit Bull, Red Rat, G-Unit, Burning Flames, Walker Homung, Calypso Rose, Wyclef Jean and Busta Rhymes who are considered as some of the best in the entertainment/musical industry. This year, Montano is the triple-crown winner in his native country, where he is the Road-march, Power Soca and Groovy Soca Monarch. He also won the International Power Soca title earlier this year with Pump Yuh Flag, that was also the tune that won him the Road-march crown for Trinidad and Tobago carnival 2012. To crown off his achievements for the year, Montano received first-round ballot consideration for a Grammy nomination in the 55th Annual Grammy Awards with his 2012 album, “Double M.”
Tropicalfete congratulates all the artist who secured a spot in the Top 100 International Caribbean Songs. However, the Tropicalfete crew congratulates Mr. Machel Montano for claiming 6 spots on the Top 100 chart and wishes him all the best on his achievements thus far and good luck on his musical journey. Tropicalfete marches on with its mission: Developing the community in the area of arts and social services with the focus on educating the global community on Caribbean culture throughout the World with a workshop on copyrights and royalties for artist in February 2013 with Roger Meltzer, CEO and Director of A&R Capsicum Records.
