Machel Montano documentary premieres in Jamaica today

After an eventful carnival week, culminating in Sunday’s Carnival in Jamaica Road March, soca icon Machel Montano is once again commanding attention – this time not from the stage, but through the lens of a deeply personal documentary.

Titled Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King, the film is set to premiere in Jamaica today at Carib 5 in St Andrew, offering audiences an intimate look at the life, legacy, and relentless drive of one of the region’s most celebrated performers.

The documentary arrives at a time when Montano’s connection to Jamaica continues to deepen. In fact, according to the Encore singer, the island has played a significant role in his upbringing, musical and otherwise.

“There is a lot of history between Machel and Jamaica…I used to live here as a young child. I went to school for the first time at Mona Basic…so I grew up with a love for Jamaica and the culture and the food,” Montano told The Gleaner.

“Not only that, but I was also a part of the early Jamaica Carnival, coming here with Byron Lee and those memories of Chukka Cove and Beach J’ouvert and Cinema 2, and just that whole journey of introducing carnival culture and soca music to Jamaica – and that is very dear to me,” he added.

That relationship was on full display just days ago, as Montano delivered a commanding presence at Carnival in Jamaica, where he was among the standout performers energising the season’s festivities.

Beyond the PARDY, Montano remains firmly in motion. The soca superstar is currently on his Encore tour, a global showcase of his enduring catalogue and stage mastery.

Following his Jamaican stop, he is set to take the energy to West Africa, with Ghana listed as one of the next major destinations on the tour circuit.

The Ghana leg signals Montano’s continued push to expand soca’s global footprint, particularly within the African diaspora, where Caribbean rhythms have found a growing and receptive audience.

More than a retrospective, Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King stands as both a celebration and a reflection – capturing not just the milestones, but the moments of vulnerability that define a career.

As Jamaican viewers prepare to tune in, the documentary offers a timely reminder of Montano’s enduring influence and the shared cultural currents that bind the Caribbean – from Port of Spain to Kingston, and now to the world.

kenrick.morgan@gleanerjm.com