The title track of the Elevate Riddim should have been the moment—the big lift, the defining statement—especially with Machel Montano and Nailah Blackman at the forefront. Instead, “Elevate” arrives as a reminder that more hands in the kitchen don’t always make a better dish.
This single brings together a long list of contributors: Private Ryan, Machel, Nailah, Badjohn Republic, and The KVG. DJ Private Ryan oversaw the production, and Badjohn Republic, The KVG, Trini Baby, and Machel Montano co-produced. That’s already a crowd, and the writing credits stretch even further—Bjorn Graham, Aisha Noel, Ryan Alexander, Kyle Phillips, Vernice Herreira, Machel, and Nailah. Add in guitars and bass from Kyle Peters, background vocals from Bjorn Graham and Aisha Noel, recordings done in both Trinidad and Jamaica, and final mixing and mastering by Precision Productions.
On paper, it reads like a super‑team. In reality, it sounds like just another Soca release.
Despite the impressive talent involved, the track fails to surpass its individual components. It’s clean, polished, and Carnival‑ready, but not memorable—not the standout moment a title track should be. Sometimes, the more people you add to a project, the more the core idea gets diluted. “Elevate” is proof.
A solid effort, yes. A special one? No. C’est la vie.
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Elevate
Artists/Performed by: Private Ryan, Machel Montano, Nailah Blackman, Badjohn Republic, The KVG
Produced by: Dj Private Ryan
Co-Produced by: Badjohn Republic, The KVG, Trini Baby, Machel Montano
Writers—Bjorn Graham, Aisha Noel, Ryan Alexander, Kyle Phillips, Vernice Herreira, Machel Montano & Nailah Blackman
Guitars & Bass - Kyle Peters
Background Vocals—Bjorn Graham, Aisha Noel
Background vocals recorded by Jhaye "Jaydot" McKie, Trinidad & Damage Musiq, Jamaica.
Mixed and mastered by: Precision Productions.
Lyric video: Move With Time
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Genre: Soca 🎶
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