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.
Carnival would never feel complete without Panorama. While the Single Pan, Small, and Medium Conventional bands all contribute to the excitement of the season, it's the Large Conventional Steelband Finals that truly capture the nation's attention.
This is the night we live for. When the sun sets and fiery musical arrangements ignite the pans, the Savannah transforms into a battlefield of brilliance. A champion will rise. Will reigning champions Will Exodus defend their crown? Will Duvonne Stewart lead the Renegades back to glory? Or will an unexpected contender shake up the order?
Let the bands play. Let the adrenaline surge through the players. Let the arrangers unleash their most daring ideas. Tonight, innovation meets tradition, passion meets precision, and the best of the best will claim the title.
A new—or repeat—champion is coming. We’re ready. Enjoy the show and watch as the top performers emerge.
Fans of our national instrument know that tonight is the Big Night for steelbands—and the world will be watching. Tune in via the radio feed or PPV to experience every note, every moment, every burst of steelband brilliance. We’ll have the radio broadcast linked right here in this post.
Venue: Queen’s Park Savannah
Scheduled Start Time: 7:00 PM
Order of Performance for the National Large Conventional Band
Band/Song/Singer/Arranger
First Citizens Supernovas—Rum & Coca Cola—Kes—Amrit Samaroo
Massy Trinidad All Stars—The Will—Scrunter—Dr. Leon "Smooth" Edwards
Bp Renegades—The Lizard—Mighty Sparrow—Duvonne Stewart
Desperadoes—We Calypso—Karene Asche x Mical Teja—Carlton "Zanda" Alexander
Republic Bank Exodus—Cyah Behave—Voice—Terrance "BJ" Marcelle
Katzenjammers —Too Young To Soca—Machel Montano—Kersh Ramsey
Skiffle—Cyah Behave—Voice—Andre White
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: National Panorama Finals
Category: Large Conventional Bands
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 Junior Parade of the Bands takes over Carnival City, Queen’s Park Savannah, on February 14th at 8:00 AM, as our little masqueraders bring color, creativity, and joy to the stage. From tiny costumes to big smiles, this event is where the next generation of Carnival lovers shines.
Carnival lives in their footsteps, their laughter, and their fearless imagination. The future of the culture is already on display.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Junior Parade of the Bands
Streaming Service: WACK Visual Radio 90.1FM
Where: Grand Stand, Queens Park Savannah, Port of Spain
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Soca/Masquerade Bands 🎶
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.
WACK Visual Radio is back on YouTube, and the community is genuinely glad to see them return. After a brief misunderstanding surrounding the broadcast of our stickfighting culture, it’s good to have clarity restored and the platform active again.
Today they’re live from Flava Village for the Machel Montano Live Show, and the timing couldn’t be better. Culture, music, and community are precisely where WACK should be.
Let us continue to uplift and celebrate the culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Our mission is to promote Caribbean music, musicians, and music producers—honoring the rich sounds, stories, and creativity that shape our region. Your support helps us share this cultural legacy with a wider audience, inspiring connection, pride, and artistic growth. As always, we encourage everyone to purchase music legally. Please avoid sharing promotional tracks, as unauthorized distribution takes essential revenue away from the songwriters, producers, and artists who bring this music to life.
🎧 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. Listen. Share. Amplify. 🍷
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."
Here is the list of the officially registered songs for the Road March Competition 2026
🎧 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 you’re already having a feel‑good Carnival season, this song will lift your spirit even higher. With so many tracks currently dominating conversations, it's easy to become engrossed in the frenzy. “Respectfully Yours” is ruling the fetes, and “Cyah Behave Meself” is sending fetters into pure madness—but there’s one song that reaches back into the heart of the culture and wraps listeners in the sweet nostalgia of Carnivals gone by.
That song is “Calypso” by Freetown Collective.
Led by the incomparable Muhammad Muwakil, whose voice carries a tone and texture unlike anyone else in the region, Freetown delivers a reminder of why this music matters. “Calypso” isn’t just a track—it’s a feeling, a memory, a celebration of who we are and where we come from.
We celebrate the song, the message, and the unmistakable vibe this group continues to bring to the culture.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Calypso
Artist/Performed by Freetown Collective:
Muhammad Muwakil
Lou Lyons
Malene Joseph
Tishanna Williams
Shanna Joseph
Jayron Remy
Written by: Muhammad Muwakil, Lou Lyons, Mevon Soodeen & Kitwana Israel
Additional Background Vocals by: Muhammad Muwakil, Lou Lyons & Kitwana Israel
Guitars by: Lou Lyons
Bass by: Rodney Alexander
Brass Arrangement by: Kenny Phillips
Live Brass Played by: Sax. Oral Rodriguez, Bone. David Jacob’s & Tpt. Roger Jaggassar
🎧 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 best Extempo and Freestyle Calypsonians will compete tonight to win their respective categories. Enjoy the show streamed live via TTT.
Extempo
The defending Extempo Monarch is Phillip Murray aka Black Sage
Akeem Chance aka Preedy
Brian London
Joseph La Placeliere aka Lingo
Kedell Noray aka Dr Kno
Myron Bruce aka Calypso Nite
Nesta Boxill aka Sekon Sta
Winston Peters Gypsy
Winner and New Extempo Monarch is Brian London
Freestyle
The defending Freestyle Champion is Akeem Chance aka Preedy
Edson De Bourgh aka Medic
Heaven Charles aka Snakey
Jumaane Cox aka Juby
Myron Bruce Calypso Nite
Nesta Boxill aka Sekon Sta
Rohan Richards aka Fireball
Romano Ragoonathsingh aka Proverbialist
Winner and Repeat Monarch is Akeem Chance aka Preedy
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Kaisorama 2026 Finals
What: Extempore & Freestyle
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.
