History Made: Machel Montano Breaks Record With 12 Road March Wins

Carnival history has officially been rewritten in Trinidad and Tobago, and it’s all thanks to soca powerhouse Machel Montano.

After the energy of the 2026 Carnival season settled, the legendary performer secured his 12th Road March title, making him the all-time record holder in the competition’s history. The winning anthem, “Encore,” dominated the celebrations and sealed the milestone moment for the veteran entertainer.

With this victory, Montano moves ahead of the late soca icon Lord Kitchener, with whom he had previously shared the record. The achievement highlights not just a win, but decades of influence, consistency, and impact on Caribbean music and Carnival culture.

During the official judging period over Carnival’s two biggest days, “Encore” was played an impressive 171 times, clearly becoming one of the most powerful anthems on the road this year. The competition was strong, with fellow soca stars Aaron “Voice” St. Louis and Bunji Garlin also delivering crowd-favorite tracks that kept the celebration alive.

For fans across the Caribbean, Montano’s latest accomplishment feels like a full-circle moment. The artist, often called the King of Soca, has spent years shaping the sound of Carnival and pushing the genre onto the global stage.

Beyond the music, this year’s Carnival also brought plenty of excitement with colorful bands, creative presentations, and thousands of revelers taking to the streets in true Caribbean style.

One thing is certain, with another historic title under his belt, Machel Montano has once again proven why he remains one of the most influential figures in soca music and Carnival history.