On Sunday, KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano will be honored with a Key to the City of Kingston.
Montano will be honored as Jamaica celebrates 61 years of independence on Sunday.
The Independence Grand Gala will be one of the pivotal moments of the Independence celebrations.
Members of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) gave full approval to the request from Education Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange that Montano be honored.
“Be it resolved that the Key to the City of Kingston be conferred on Mr. Machel Jesus Montano in recognition of his sterling, awesome, and iconic career in music, which has positively influenced many adoring fans across the Caribbean and the world, including many Jamaicans who continue to enjoy his enduring legacy,” stated a resolution passed by the council.
It was tabled by Government Councilor Susan Senior and seconded by Councilor Kari Douglas. Both were convinced of its approval, especially those who had experienced Montano’s local performances.
“When you hear soca music, you just want to jump. Soca is sweet together. We join together, especially for a special moment,” she said, hailing Montano’s courtesy, encouragement, and love for music.
Meanwhile, the head of the main Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) caucus in the council, Andrew Swaby, and fellow PNP councilor Audrey Smith-Facey, both admitted that they saw nothing wrong with Montano being honored for his achievements as a soca star but were concerned about how approvals were untimely.
“I was a soca queen, and Montana was my favorite soca person, but it is saddening to know that while we try to operate in a professional manner, which I think that they should honor, they just chuck this on us at the last minute,” she said.
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