Trinbago’s Carnival Lagniappe is in full swing at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain (De Savannah), but once again there seems to be no official online stream for the public to enjoy.
Local videographers are doing their best with independent feeds, but neither TTT nor WACK Visual Radio is broadcasting the show. For an event that celebrates the very best of Carnival 2026—champions, icons, and the full brilliance of our culture—this silence from the official channels is disappointing.
This is the final grand showcase of the season, a moment where the country’s top performers come together to remind us why Trinidad and Tobago remains the cultural heartbeat of the Caribbean. It’s a gift, a spectacle, a national treasure.
And yet… this is how we want the world to experience our culture?
One would think that those in charge—government included—would be eager to share this talent with global audiences. Broadcasting this event could inspire future visitors, strengthen cultural pride, and give the world a taste of what makes our Carnival unmatched.
Yes, I’m disappointed. Many of us are.
But we will still highlight what we can. Today, we’re watching from the sidelines, thanks to one of the hardworking videographers who refuse to let the culture go unseen.
Kaiso Dial will continue to amplify what’s available—because the culture must go on, even when the official channels fall short.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Carnival Lagniappe—A Night With The Champs
Where: Queens Park Savannah
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Carnival Culture 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
Kaiso Dial is still here and we are all about calypso... just a reminder. So here we go with some of the songs that slipped past the hectic pace of Trinidad Carnival 2026; today, we turn our attention to a composition that refuses to whisper. “Hang Dem High” by Moses Monroe, known on the calypso circuit as Xposer, is a bold, uncompromising commentary on the state of crime and justice in Trinidad and Tobago.
Consider the track as a raw example of calypso music. It is a mirror held up to society, reflecting the fear, frustration, and moral exhaustion of a people who feel cornered by violence. The nation just witnessed the brutal and ungodly killing of a mother and father who were unloading groceries in Couva, Trinidad. Everyone seeing that video of the brutal slaying of parents in front of their child would appreciate the message in this song.
A Nation Wrestling With Crime
“More than that. It’s a cry of frustration. He’s saying the justice system is not working the way people expect. Criminals getting bail, cases dragging on, and the victims’ families left to suffer. He’s pushing the idea that if the system can’t protect the innocent, then something drastic has to change.”
So what needs to be done? This is a call for justice—dramatic measures.
Q-“Is that why he's calling for hanging?”
A-“Exactly. No, he is not celebrating violence—simply put, he’s reflecting the anger of a society that feels cornered. He’s saying:
Crime out of control
Families traumatized
Lawyers helping repeat offenders get back on the street
Accountability Beyond the Criminals
Politicians ignoring the public’s pleas
And the people want accountability.”
Q-“So he is calling everybody out?”
A“Everybody. Criminals, lawyers, politicians—nobody spared. He’s basically saying if you’re part of the problem, you should face consequences too. That is the reason we love Calypso, it’s provocative, but that is the essence of the genre. We love calypso because It’s supposed to spark debate.”
A Cry for Safety and Stability
Q-“And beneath all that?”
A-“Beneath all that is a simple wish: people just want to feel safe again. They want consistency, justice, and a country where you can walk the street without fear. That’s the heart of the song.”
Final Thoughts
“Hang Dem High” is not a gentle song. It is not meant to soothe. It is a calypso forged in the heat of national frustration—a reminder that the art form remains one of the most powerful vehicles for social commentary in the Caribbean.
Whether you embrace Xposer’s stance or challenge it, the conversation he ignites is unavoidable. And that, at its core, is the reason we recite the following: Kaiso, Kaiso. Yes, Kaiso!
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song/Title: Hang Dem High
Written/Composed by—Moses Monroe
Sobriquet—Xposer
Background Vocals—Natalie Yorke and Carol Jacobs
Arranged by Pelham Goddard
Engineer—Calliston Pantor
Executive Producer—Moses Munroe
Recorded and Mixed @ Agra 9 Studio—Agra Street, St. James
Trumpets by Charles William
Saxes by Malcolm Boyce
Trombone by David Jacob
Guitar by Michael Chang Wai
Keyboard, Overdubs, Bass and Percussion by Pelham Goddard
Publish by Classic Promotion International (KPI)
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Calypso 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
"When ah Trini get-vex, he does want to buss somebody's head"—and that is exactly how I felt when the Road March results for Trinidad Carnival 2026 were announced. It wasn't because my favorite song lost, but rather because the system once again revealed its flaws. The most popular song did not win; the song most strategically played at predetermined judging points did. That distinction is not trivial—it is the heart of the problem.
Encore Didn’t Win the Road—It Won the Judging Points
Cyar Behave was the people's song. So Why Didn’t It Win?
The Road March Has Become a DJ Playlist, Not a Public Choice
The Road March Is Broken—And TUCO Is to Blame
For years, the Road March has been governed by a format that is outdated, easily manipulated, and increasingly mistrusted. Many Trinidadians believe that this year’s outcome reflects those vulnerabilities. And just like the Savannah Grass year, the people’s choice was sidelined—not because of artistry or cultural impact, but because of a system TUCO refuses to modernize.
Let me be clear: I do not blame Machel Montano for operating within the rules. Elite writers and producers support him as a master strategist, and he understands how to ignite hype that remains vibrant even if it never becomes a classic. He is a Carnival Soca salesman—once he smells blood, “yuh dogs-dead!” But his twelve wins, impressive as they are, do not carry the cultural weight of Lord Kitchener’s legacy. In an era of steelbands, brass bands, and genuine public demand, Kitchener earned his victories. Machel’s wins are engineered within a system that rewards influence, access, and timing.
This argument is not an attack on an artist. It is a critique of an institution.
TUCO’s Assistant PRO, Megulla Simon, recently insisted that TUCO deserves respect. But respect is earned, and TUCO’s lack of urgency to fix a malfunctioning competition has eroded public confidence. Their approach feels indifferent at best and incompetent at worst.
The clearest example of this failure is the widening gap between the people’s choice and the DJ’s playlist. Masqueraders were calling for Cyar Behave all day; entire sections were singing it, yet at the judging points the music switched to Encore. That is not organic. That is not reflective of public sentiment. That is the result of DJs and band coordinators following predetermined lists rather than responding to the crowd. Knowing the judging points in advance exposes the possibility of manipulation.
Announcing judging points is a fundamental error. It allows artists to lobby, DJs to adjust playlists, and bands to coordinate plays for maximum impact. This is not the spirit of Road March. This is stagecraft masquerading as road culture.
If the Road March is truly about the road, then the system must reflect that. The Road March should no longer be judged at the Queen's Park Oval, Soca Drome, or other predictable locations where patrons are seated. These are stages, not the road. Instead, TUCO should adopt a modern, fair, and transparent approach that captures what masqueraders are actually hearing and responding to.
A reformed system is not only possible—it is necessary. And the solutions are neither complicated nor unrealistic.
Key Reforms TUCO Must Implement
Randomize judging points or eliminate fixed points entirely to prevent strategic manipulation.
Use audio fingerprinting technology (similar to Shazam) to automatically detect and count songs along the parade route.
Deploy neutral monitors within bands to record plays discreetly and consistently.
Ban payments or sponsorships that influence DJs or bands to favor specific Road March–eligible songs.
Require transparency through published logs, timestamps, and band-by-band breakdowns.
Introduce a “People’s Road Choice” Award to capture public sentiment through verified voting, streaming data, and social media engagement.
Just like politics, there’s no campaigning on Carnival days — no artists hopping from band to band or truck to truck trying to influence plays.
These reforms would restore fairness, eliminate speculation, and ensure that the Road March reflects the true spirit of Carnival—freedom, authenticity, and celebration.
The legacy conversation matters here as well. Machel’s twelve wins are historic, but they are not equivalent to Kitchener’s eleven. Kitchener won because the people demanded his music. Machel wins because he understands how to work a system that TUCO refuses to update. Even he admitted on Corie Sheppard’s podcast that Cyar Behave couldn’t win because artists don’t understand the “energy of the stage.” But Road March is not supposed to be about the stage. It is about the road—the heartbeat of Carnival.
If TUCO continues to cling to a broken system, public trust will continue to erode. And once trust is gone, the cultural integrity of the Road March will go with it. TUCO already faces criticism for Calypso Fiesta and Calypso Monarch selections—that is a separate conversation, but it underscores a pattern of non-transparency and resistance to change.
Reforming the Road March is not an attack on tradition. It is a defense of it. By embracing modern technology and transparent practices, TUCO can protect the legacy of the competition, support artists equitably, and honor the will of the people who make Carnival what it is.
Addendum 02/20/2026:
I was right years ago when I said Machel won the Stage March, not the Road March—and it still holds true today. So consider this a bit of breaking news. Machel himself has now confirmed it.
In an Instagram post, he openly stated that his song was not the most played on the road. The key part of his message says it all:
“The Road March is the song that is played the most times to cross the stage.
It is misconstrued that the Road March is the biggest song for the Carnival on the road.
My song was not played the most on the road.
Maybe, a next prize for the song played the most on the road.”
When the artist with twelve titles is telling you the system is misunderstood—and that his own song wasn’t the dominant road tune—it validates everything we’ve been saying for years.
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
Carnival Tuesday has arrived, and the road belongs to the bands. We are locked on for the parade of the bands, enjoy the day!
Yesterday gave us a sweet taste—just enough to tease the senses—but today the full spectacle steps out in all its glory. Feathers, fabric, and every shade of the rainbow are about to flood the streets as masqueraders bring the spirit of Carnival alive.
After a scorcher of a Monday, the early morning showers cooled the air and blessed the day with that unmistakable Carnival freshness. With any luck, the skies will stay kind and the vibes will stay high.
We’ve lined up several live video feeds for you to choose from. Pick your favorite vantage point and settle in as the Parade of the Bands takes center stage.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Carnival Tuesday
What: Parade of the Bands-Street Views
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Calypso 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
The National Carnival Commission presents a night of pure brass, pure vibes, and pure bacchanal! Brass Bacchanal began in 2022, with Temperature the Band winning the title in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Last year, Kern Summerville & the Sensational Band took the title. Which band do you think will take the top prize tonight? Share your thoughts with us.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
The show is scheduled for De Savannah; don't miss it!
📍 Queen’s Park Savannah—John Cupid Carnival Village
🕘 Showtime: 9PM sharp!
🎟️ Tickets just $150 — available at Java Nation stores, NCC Ticket Booth, NCC Head Office, or online at IslandETickets.com
Live Band Instruments:
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Soca and Calypso 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
It’s Carnival Monday and J’ouvert is here! San Fernando is alive with rhythm, mud, paint, and pure freedom—and this is the chipping‑down‑the‑road energy you came for. Brought to you by the I Am Living My Life YouTube Channel. Enjoy the vibes!
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: J'ouvert Morning
Where: San Fernando
Streamed by, I am living my life YouTube Channel
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Calypso 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
Despite the 'ole talk' and lyrical jabs exchanged by bards of the artform, the Calypso Monarch competition delivered the revival it so deeply needed.
Sermons sung as songs bathed the Grand Stand of the Queen’s Park Savannah during Trinbago’s Dimanche Gras, reclaiming center stage for Carnival 2026.
It was a night where calypso returned to its sacred roots—not just as entertainment, but as invocation, resistance, and ritual.
Tonight, we gathered to witness the crowning of the Caribbean’s Calypso Queen of Queens—now the Calypso Monarch of Trinidad and Tobago.
Terri Lyons came, saw, and conquered.
With a voice wrapped in prayer and power, she lifted the spirit of the nation and reminded us of calypso’s sacred roots. Her performance was commanding, cleansing, and deeply moving—a moment where artistry met anointing. Terri didn’t just take the stage; she transformed it, sweeping away the competition and, for a moment, the sins of the nation itself.
Congratulations to Terri Lyons—a Monarch in every sense.
The Official Results are as follows:
Singer/Song/Points
Terri Lyons—Blessings—263
Rivaldo London - Water Thicker—245
Rikki Jai - Doh Spoil Meh Name—241
Yung Bredda—The Messenger—240
Karene Asche—Nobody Wins Until—239
Helon Francis—Doh Forget—237
Nicole Thomas-Clarke—Sacrifice—236
Ta'Zyah O'Connor—Cast Them Away—
Giselle Fraser/GG—A Village Can't - 230
Muhammad Muwakil/Freetown Collective—228
Kerice Pascall—No Conscience—225
Roslyn Reid Hayes/Roslyn—Calypso Calling Me—212
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Calypso Monarch Title 2026
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Calypso 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
Shots Fired! We are preparing for the carnival crescendo on this Carnival Sunday. Tonight, the lyrical warriors take the stage for the Calypso Monarch Finals, while the Kings and Queens of Mas parade their splendor across the Savannah.
Join us tonight as we take in all the action live from the Carnival Mecca. Catch every moment live and free via TTT and WACK Visual Radio 90.1FM. From majestic costumes to lyrical fire, this is Carnival’s soul on full display. This event is not just a show—it’s a ritual of rhythm, resistance, and royalty.
Kaiso Dial celebrates the voices that shape our Carnival story.
Calypso Monarch Finalists Order of Appearance
Ta'Zyah O'Connor - Cast Them Away
Yung Bredda - The Messenger
Nicole Thomas-Clarke - Sacrifice
Giselle Fraser/GG - A Village Can't
Kerice Pascall - No Conscience
Rivaldo London - Water Thicker
Rikki Jai - Doh Spoil Meh Name
Terri Lyons - Blessings
Karene Asche - Nobody Wins Until
Muhammad Muwakil/Freetown Collective
Helon Francis - Doh Forget - Reigning Monarch
Roslyn Reid Hayes/Roslyn - Calypso Calling Me
Brian London is the Reserve (in case one of the qualifiers cannot compete)
The Results:
Terri Lyons was crowned Calypso Monarch 2026 after delivering a sterling performance that brought the Grand Stand to its feet in a standing ovation.
King and Queen of the Bands
Curtis Eustace (11th win) and Roxanna Omalo retained their Senior King and Queen titles.
Duchess of the Dark Skies
Spirit of "D" Maraye.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Dimanch Gras 2026
What: Kings and Queens of the Bands + Calypso Monarch Finals
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Masquerade + Calypso 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
"If the priest could play, then who is me?" The kids have come out to play, and this is your opportunity to join in and watch the next generation do their thing. The stream is brought to you via the "I am living my life' YouTube portal. The event is your opportunity to celebrate the kids, and don't forget to like and subscribe to Tish's channel.
Downtown Port of Spain comes alive as the kids light up the streets for the Kids Junior Carnival 2026! From handcrafted costumes to confident steps across the Lord Kitchener Stand, the next generation of masqueraders showed off rhythm, imagination, and pure Carnival joy.
Sokah2Soca salutes the young creatives, bandleaders, and families who brought the mantra “Yuh Go Love Dis!” to life. The future of mas is bright—and it’s already on the road.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Downtown Port of Spain Junior Carnival 2020
Streamed live via "I am living my life" YouTube Channel
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Carnival Culture 🎶
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
Sorry, All Stars, Renegades, and Silver Stars—we look to the East once again for the champion large steelband.
Wow—what a finish. The point differences tonight were nothing short of astonishing, and for the first time in years, not a single tie appeared on the score sheets. Band after band was separated by just one point, keeping the entire Savannah on edge until the very last moment.
In the end, Republic Bank Exodus held their nerve and repeated as champions, proving once again that discipline, creativity, and Eastern pride run deep in the panyard.
Tonight, we witnessed the full power of steelband music—precision, passion, and pure Trinbago brilliance. From the first roll to the final cadenza, each orchestra brought its own heartbeat to the stage, shaping a night that will live long in the memory of every pan lover.
The first two bands were electric, with Massy Trinidad All Stars receiving a standing ovation and extended applause. Renegades brought the big sound to the stage, and Exodus did not disappoint. Then again, Nutrien Silver Stars wowed with their rendition of "Respectfully Yours," sung by Full Blown.
Online chat bush judges were busy picking winners and providing reasons for favorites not making it to the top three places. Having said that, it was an amazing night, and, in the end, steelband music lovers enjoyed it all.
The lineup/order of appearance was nothing short of historic:
First Citizens Supernovas with Rum & Coca-Cola—Kes—arranged by Amrit Samaroo
Massy Trinidad All Stars with The Will—Scrunter—arranged by Dr. Leon “Smooth” Edwards
BP Renegades with The Lizard—Mighty Sparrow—arranged by Duvonne Stewart
Proman Starlift with Last Train—Mical Teja—arranged by Dante Pantin
Nutrien Silver Stars with Respectfully—Yours Full Blown—arranged by Ojay Richards
Phase II Pan Groove with Trouble—Freetown Collective—arranged by Dr. Len “Boogsie” Sharpe
T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps with Last Train—Mical Teja—arranged by Clarence Morris
Desperadoes with We Calypso—Karene Asche x Mical Teja—arranged by Carlton “Zanda” Alexander
Republic Bank Exodus with Cyah Behave—Voice—arranged by Terrance “BJ” Marcelle
Katzenjammers with Too Young to Soca—Machel Montano—arranged by Kersh Ramsey
Skiffle with Cyah Behave—Voice—arranged by Andre White
In the end, after a night of musical brilliance and heart‑pounding performances, Republic Bank Exodus managed to hold their nerve and edge out BP Renegades by the slimmest of margins, with Nutrien Silver Stars—a true crowd favorite—claiming a powerful and well‑earned third place just one point behind Renegades. Call it the panorama of one point of separation!
A repeat victory for Exodus, a fierce challenge from Renegades, and a triumphant return to the podium for Silver Stars. This was Panorama at its absolute best.
The results were as follows:
Republic Bank Exodus with Cyah Behave—Voice—Terrance “BJ” Marcelle—289
BP Renegades with The Lizard—Mighty Sparrow—Duvonne Stewart—288
Nutrien Silver Stars with Respectfully—Yours Full Blown—Ojay Richards—287
Desperadoes with We Calypso—Karene Asche x Mical Teja—Zanda—284
Massy Trinidad All Stars with The Will—Scrunter—"Smooth" Edwards—283
Skiffle with Cyah Behave—Voice—Andre White—282
Katzenjammers with Too Young to Soca—Machel Montano—Kersh Ramsey—281
Phase II Pan Groove with Trouble—Freetown Collective—Boogsie—280
T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps with Last Train—Mical Teja—Clarence Morris—278
Proman Starlift with Last Train—Mical Teja—Dante Pantin—277
First Citizens Supernovas with Rum & Coca-Cola—Kes—Amrit Samaroo—274
Empowering Caribbean Creatives
🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Calypso music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨ Help elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word. 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.
