MM wins the National Road March Competition for Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2025.
Addendum/Breaking News: MM beats Bunji into second and third places for the National Road March title. Please note that the plays are tabulated based on plays at "official judging points!" With this win, Machel Montano tied Lord Kitchener with eleven (11) wins, but Lord Kitchener is the only person with 11 wins with songs composed by and sung by one person.
- Machel Montano is the Road March Winner—267 Plays
- Bunji Garlin-Carry It—253 Plays
- Bunji Garlin-Thousand—22 Plays
The Road March wars in Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival 2025 pitted Machel Montano's "Pardy" against Bunji Garlin's "Carry It." "Pardy" is a production of XplicitMevon and Badjohn Republic with the mixing and mastering done by Precision Productions. On the other hand, "Carry It" is a production out of Canada by Stemz Production with the mixing and mastering done by Johann Seaton of Madmen Productions out of Trinidad. After the road plays and stage plays, only one will be declared "Trinidad and Tobago's Road March Winner" for Carnival 2025.
One has to wonder if the Road March is truly a fan favorite or just a manipulation done by artists promoting their songs in conjunction with DJs and Carnival band leaders deciding which tune to play when crossing the stage, aka judging points. A better method is to have an unknown number of 'Road March Judging Points where plays can be recorded and tabulated by the NCC/TUCO to determine the people's favorite and a result that will be accepted without an asterisk next to the song.
One song will win, but here at Sokah2Soca, we consider both songs winners of the competition this year. Not because they tied, but because for many revelers, each song won their hearts and wore heavily on their chipping' feet for this year's festivities. So, whether you're in Machel's "Pardy" camp or Bunji's "Carry It" camp, we consider both camps winners this year.
Rumors:
The word out of Trinidad is that Machel was on the trucks as they approached the Savannah, prompting the DJs to play "Pardy!" That's the rumor! The truth may be different, but perception is everything today. Integrity seems to have gone out the door, and with so many memes disparaging Machel online, maybe, just maybe, he should be taking a different approach to avoid alienating his fans... just saying! Perhaps a heartfelt message or a surprise performance could help mend fences and restore Machel's image in a world where public opinion can shift in an instant. After all, connecting with fans on a personal level might just be the key to turning the tide in his favor.
When the decision is announced today, we will update this post with an addendum showing the winners and the number of plays for each song. The contest is the last of the major music competitions for Carnival 2025, and fans at home and those looking in from abroad eagerly await the results. Regardless of the results, the music enhanced road joy and freedom. Both songs are deserving, but only one will get the prize. The true test of the song will be its longevity, as it will determine whether it receives radio play at all upcoming Caribbean-style carnivals across the diaspora. It was a wonderful carnival season, and we were thrilled to bring you all the news.
Until the results today, take some time to reflect and shake off your carnival Tabanca; just start making plans for next year!
TUCO... the management of the Trinidad and Tobago Calypsonian Organization has to come up with a better plan for the Road March Competition. Remember, perception is everything; if people perceive that you are making an effort to 'get it right,' TUCO's name will not be disparaged on social media platforms.
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Road March Competition
Songs: Pardy vs Carry It
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca
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