Words by LargeUp Crew
As one might expect, Machel Montano had a very active 2023 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival season. With his “One Show” 40th anniversary concert at Hasely Crawford Stadium on “Fantastic Friday” — and some massive tunes and collabs — the soca music icon was in full force, and top form, throughout the season.
Of his many Carnival 2023 releases, “Welcome Home” brings some of the heaviest starpower, with Machel sharing mic time with two-time International Soca Monarch winner Voice and Jamaican dancehall icon Agent Sasco, on a rhythm from Travis World. One of our favorite dancehall stars Leftside (or, as some might still know him, Dr. Evil) even gets a co-writing and co-production credit on the track.
With Carnival 2023 now in the books, Machel and company are closing out the celebration with the official “Welcome Home” video. The video, directed by Kieran Khan, was shot primarily in Trinidad but also features a bit of Jamaica, in the scenes featuring Agent Sasco.
For everyone who’s been separated from their beloved Caribbean over the past few years, this video is sure to give you all the “Welcome Home” feels.
Stream “Welcome Home” here, watch the video below, and check out the full credits underneath.
Video Credits:
Executive Producers: Caribbean Airlines, Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi, Che Kothari, Monk Music / Gifted Management
Trinidad Production Credits:
Director – Kieran Khan
Producer – Valeria Cid
Local Producers – Gerelle Forbes & Tyker Phillip
DP – Johanser Martinez
Project Manager – Alessandra Auster
Stylists – KezStyles, Naomi Richardson, Ryan Chan
Gaffers – Marc Loregnard, Kareem Lewis, Alister Charles, Uriel Des Isles
Assistant Camera – Gabriel TI Nagee
Steady-Cam – Christian Burkett
BTS – Deep Focus TT
Production Assistants – Sacha Chan, Ananais Wilson, Kryztof Gialdo
FPV Drone Pilot – Deep Focus TT
Playback – Isaiah Alexander
Transport – Terry Dillon, Allan Boyce
Dancers – Wasafoli Performing Company & Khalnayak Academy of Dance
Cricketers – Zack Phillip, Adesh Singh, Samir Saroop, Rajeev Ramgoolie, Jordan Mohammed
Footballers – Adrian Osmond, Akile Aqui, Ahalia St Bernard
Extras – Maximillion Arjoon, Candice Arjoon, Roger Huggins, Deyonce Harvey, Moko Masters, Moonstruck Charters, Heatwave & Captain Morgan, Kevin Singh, Junior Waterman, Zendaya Diaz, Dandre Joseph, Nyjah Lewis, Jennifer McDonald, Dion Carrington, Tyker Phillip, Allison Straker, Candice Badal, Malik Sheppard, Chad Raphael, Mickile Brathwaite, U17 East Zone Cricket Parents
Jamaica Production Credits:
Director – Kieran Khan
Local Producer – Nardea “Ro” Drummond
AC – Gwayne Walker
Steadicam – Garreth Daley
DP – Darren Scott
PA – Ashley Belinfante
Agent Sasco Stylist – Troy Williamson
Equipment – Fareye Film Production
Gaffer – Hasani Cole
Grip – Alvin McLean
Dancers – Talitha Miller, Haley Roberts, Ashanti Walters, Aaliyah Waugh (Coco Iconic), Akean Lettman (Shakespear Di Dancer), Paul Thompson (Energy Di Dancer)
BTS photos – Rickroy Williams
BTS video – Jason “Beanz” Sawyers
Song Credits:
Song Name: Welcome Home
Artist: Machel Montano x Voice x Agent Sasco x Travis World
Written by: Aaron St-Louis, Machel Montano, Jeffrey Campbell, Travis Hosein & Craig Parks
Produced by: Travis World
Additional production by: Leftside
Mixed by: David “DJ Kingston” Sheppard Of Sheppard Pro Studios
Mastered by: Parry Jack