This past weekend, the Hon. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley joined forces with the King of Soca, Machel Montano, to host a landmark Music Retreat in collaboration with the National Cultural Foundation.
The retreat gathered some of the biggest voices in the Barbadian music fraternity, including 2025 Calypso King Blood, Nikita, and several other notable creatives. It was an inspiring full-day session that emphasized the power of music as a unifying force and as a tool for peace.
During the discussions, Machel Montano and I spoke about the unique role of Caribbean music in today’s world. Right now, Caribbean culture and sound are in the global spotlight — and with that comes responsibility. As I shared in our conversation:
> “We live in a world with multiple wars happening at once, and even though we are far from the battlefields, we feel some of that energy trickling into our own space. But the Caribbean has always been a paradise people look to for peace and joy. We are the civilization the world relies on to humanize them, and to make them happy — just as Bob Marley’s music gave reflection and Carnival gave release. Every generation takes us further, and the question is: how will we take it further now?”
PM Mia echoed this vision, calling for bold new initiatives to foster growth and sustainability in Barbados’ music industry. She encouraged creatives to continue pushing cultural boundaries while exploring opportunities for innovation, business development, and international reach.
The event closed on a strong note — a reminder that Caribbean music is not just entertainment, but a powerful global force that can inspire unity, reflection, and resilience.
