Impressions: Machel Montano Takes The UN

Words by Jesse Serwer, Photos by Che Kothari—

Machel Montano might preside atop Trinidad’s Ministry of Road in song only, but T&T’s reigning soca superpower made an official appearance inside the United Nations this past Friday night. Part of the UN’s 2015 and Beyond sustainable-development campaign, the Setting the Stage concert (which coincided with last week’s Caribbean Week events in NYC, and was presented by General Assembly President John Ashe, an Antiguan) featured acts from around the world with an emphasis on the Caribbean, including fellow Trini David Rudder, and zouk icons Kassav’.

to craft a new sustainable development agenda the Setting the Stage: The Concert event showcased musicians from around the world, with a special emphasis on the Caribbean, inside the. Fellow Trini David Rudder, and zouk icons Kassav’‘ were among the other acts on the bill. (The event, which took place during New York’s Caribbean Week, was presented by the U.N.’s General Assembly President John W. Ash, an Antiguan).

Although his performance was brief, Machel left an impression with his set, which featured some of his most socially conscious and global-minded material, including “No War,” “Possessed,” “Real Unity,” and “Happiest Man Alive.” Che Kothari captured images of Machel’s experience.

Click here to scroll through the photo series.

Machel makes his way to the U.N. with his daughters at his side.

The bomb-sniffing labrador retriever makes his (or her?) rounds.

Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier from South Sudan turned rapper, musician and activist, was among those who took the stage alongside Machel.

Inside the briefing room.

Machel and company brush up on material backstage.

Working things out in rehearsals.

Signing an autograph for sustainability.

Machel takes the stage.

No diplomats here (OK, maybe a few): The crowd was filled with fans who knew every word to songs like “Happiest Man Alive.”

One finger in the air…

The crowd was diverse in both age and origin.