2 months ago
24
Fresh off a high-energy set and glowing from the love of the Jamaican crowd, Mical Teja, a Cultural Award-winning recording artiste, songwriter, and producer from Trinidad and Tobago, continues to prove why he’s one of the most exciting voices in soca. His recent performance in Jamaica was nothing short of electric, leaving the crowd buzzing with soca spirit. However, this would be his final appearance on the island this carnival season.
“Well, unfortunately, I wouldn’t be on your road [for Carnival Sunday] because of other commitments. I have to go to Guyana in the morning,” Teja told The Gleaner after performing onstage at the Yard Mas Carnival event, RYTZ. He continued, “It wasn’t in the plan, but, you know, Guyana called me so I’ll go show Guyana some love.”
Though Teja’s absence from the road this Sunday might be disappointing to fans, his final Jamaican performance of the season certainly left a lasting impression.
“The reception was amazing. Just to see them interacting and singing and having a good time for me is a plus. Performing in Jamaica is always a surreal thing because, you know, this is the home of dancehall and reggae. So to see them singing along and enjoying themselves means a lot to me.”
And Teja isn’t just bringing vibes, he’s bringing a deeper appreciation for the growth of Jamaica’s carnival scene. Though not from Jamaica, he’s proud of how far it’s come and believes the island is positioning itself as a major player in the region.
“Carnival in Jamaica has been exceptional. It’s grown so much, and I think that’s important because carnival is about expression through art, music, and culture. No matter who you are, you can enjoy carnival.”
He added, “Plus, there’s the business side. It brings in tourism and revenue. And let’s be honest, there’s no island that does tourism like Jamaica. So it’s a win-win for everybody.”
Though he won’t be on the road this Sunday, the DNA singer still has love for the masqueraders and some wise words of advice to share.
“Please hydrate yourself. Don’t drink too much. Have a good balance so you can enjoy yourself.” And when it comes to setting the mood, he has his picks ready for anyone building their Carnival Sunday playlist.
“My top-3 soca songs going into carnival would be Jamtown by Coutain x Tano, Higher Power by me and Pardy by Machel Montano. We work so hard, so we definitely deserve a party. And Jamaica deserves a party!” he said with a smile.
English (US) ·