Cry me a river, but when we talk about the Road March competition, we are talking about carnival's endgame... de ting done, pardna! Like it or not, the Road March has always been the final showdown of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival—the moment when the nation’s collective heartbeat decides which song truly ruled the road. It’s the one competition traditionally labeled the “people’s choice.” Yet, recently, many have questioned whether that title still holds weight. Increasingly, the sentiment is that the Road March has shifted from a road result to a stage result, with performances at major judging points overshadowing the organic, spontaneous power of what the people actually play and love.
Still, the culture moves, and we move with it. Let's get real now, and we do believe that the system will lean toward stage plays, and that means strategic promotion, visibility, and strategic presence become just as important as raw popularity. With that in mind, three songs stand out as the true contenders for Road March 2026—each with its narrative, momentum, and potential to dominate the road.
1. Voice—"Cyah Behave Mehself"
This is my personal pick; there is something special about this song. Voice delivered a track that feels joyful, infectious, and tailor‑made for masqueraders who want to free up and revel. The only concern is promotion. The song is strong, but it doesn’t feel like Voice is pushing it on radio or across platforms with the intensity that Road March season demands. If this tune had the same promotional firepower as its competitors, it could easily be the front‑runner. Still, its emotional pull and Carnival spirit make it a real contender.
2. Machel Montano—"Encore"
Say what you want about Machel—the man understands the Road March game better than anyone alive. “Encore” is not just a song; it’s a campaign, and that campaign is loaded with Carnival energy. He’s promoting it actively, strategically, and consistently. That alone gives him an edge. Machel knows how to position a track so that it becomes unavoidable during Carnival week, and that level of mastery can’t be underestimated. If the Road March has indeed become a “stage march,” then Machel is playing the stage like a seasoned general.
3. Bunji Garlin—"Still A Road Man"
Bunji has openly said he’s not competing for Road March this year, but that hasn’t stopped the streets from gravitating toward one of the most compelling releases of the season. “Still A Road Man” carries the grit, swagger, and chant‑ready energy that naturally fits the road. Whether he registered the song or not, plays count, and if the people decide the tune is the anthem they want, it could still rise to the top. Bunji has a way of winning without trying—and that unpredictability makes him a real factor.
So, who wins?
One of these three songs will take the title. The beauty—and the frustration—of Road March is that we won’t know until the trucks roll, the DJs choose, and the masqueraders respond. Carnival 2026 hits the road next week, and the plays will tell the story.
Whether it’s Bunji’s non‑entrant but wildly popular song, Voice’s feel‑good anthem, or Machel’s strategic precision, the result will reflect not just the music but the evolving nature of the competition itself. In other words, the winner won’t be the one with the “best” song. The winner will be the one who best aligns with the competition's values, trends, and expectations.
Let's put it like this:
"The result will tell us something about how the Road March competition is changing."
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Competition: Road March 2026
Voice—Cyah Behave Mehself
Machel Montano—Encore
Bunji Garlin—Still A Road Man
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Road March Bacchanal 🎶
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