He said he would take soca music to the world, and the news of Machel Montano’s big music deal suggests he’s well on the way to making good on that ambition. An April 3 article published on billboard.com reported that on March 27, Mr HD signed a licensing/publishing contract with Universal Music France affiliate AZ and an agreement with the company’s management arm, the Olympia Agency.
The deal covers continental Europe and the French West Indies. In those territories, Montano will be co-managed by Olympia agent Marie Audigier and French-born Port-of-Spain-based Jean Michel Gibert. Contacted via e-mail, Gibert, who is in France, confirmed Montano’s music deal, saying: “Yes, Machel has a recording deal with AZ.”
The online report, written by Patricia Meschino, says the opportunity came after Audigier recognised hit potential in Montano’s single Mr Fete after seeing his performance at the 2012 Groovy Soca Monarch competition. She took the singer’s music to AZ managing director Julien Creuzard, who was also impressed.
The first single from Montano’s AZ deal will come mid-year and will be a remake of Mr Fete, featuring French R&B singer Matt Houston. They also plan to do several new versions of his existing tracks as well as brand-new material for an album. Creuzard told Billboard.biz the label was happy to have such an incredible artist on board and would be using specific domestic acts to push the star forward, territory by territory.
The article also highlighted Montano’s greatest achievements and various aspects of his career, which spans 30 years. When contacted, Montano’s mother and longtime manager Elizabeth “Liz” Montano said she was extremely happy for her son, as all his hard work was finally paying off. “I am always very proud of Machel. I have been there with him over the years and have seen the progression of his career. This is not shocking to me, it is rather long overdue,” said Montano.
Business partner and friend Anthony “Chinese Laundry” Chow Lin On was also elated for Montano. He said any new territory that a local artiste enters will always be a challenge, but also a ray of light and hope that things can happen for them in other regions. “What is most noted about this deal is that the label is interested in Montano’s music in its raw form—no watering it down,” he said.