She’s more than a mother...

When Machel Montano ignites an arena with his signature energy and fete-shaking aura, it’s easy to forget the quiet, steady force that shaped him into the soca superstar he is today. Behind every wine, every wave, and every leap forward in his storied career stands Elizabeth “Lady” Montano—his mother, confidant, and the architect of his success. Today, as Double M celebrates 50 years of life and over 40 years of music, Lady’s role as both matriarch and manager emerges as the heart of his incredible journey.

Lady doesn’t mince words about her greatest contribution to her son’s success: “Unconditional support!” “I’ve always been there for Machel through thick and thin. I’m always a phone call, a step, or an ear away,” she told the Express with a tone of conviction. “People always say, wherever you see Machel, you see me.



And it’s true. A mother must always be there.” From Siparia to stardom It all began in small southern town of Siparia, where the Montano family settled in the early ’80s.

“Marcus, his older brother, was learning guitar with Ashford Joseph,” Lady recalled in an interview last week. “But Marcus couldn’t sing and play at the same time, so Ashford had Machel sing instead. He taped it and brought it for us to hear.

I told Monty, ‘This child has a good voice.’” Recognising her son’s gift, she wasted no time. She enrolled Machel in vocal training and encouraged him to participate in school competitions, paving his early path to the national stage.

“The most important thing I did was support him,” she said. “I made sure he had the right training, but I was always there to guide him.” For her, the path to success was never rushed: “Nothing happens overnight.

You have to pay your dues. We knew we had to build a strong foundation—one rooted in honesty, hard work, and excellence. Without that, the building collapses.

” As Machel’s talent grew, so did Montano’s role. She didn’t just manage his career; she crafted a framework for longevity in a highly competitive industry. “Whatever we did, we did it the right way, and with care,” she maintains.

“That’s how we built something that could stand the test of time.” Balancing motherhood and management For decades, Montano balanced the dual roles of mother and manager—a dynamic often misunderstood by the public. “People couldn’t separate the two, but Machel and I did,” she said with a knowing smile.

“When I was his manager, Machel was my boss. At home, I was his mother. We both understood what our roles were, even if others didn’t.

” Her tenure as manager ended in 2014 when Canadian Che Kothari took over, ushering in a new phase of Machel’s career. “Machel felt I had taken him as far as I could. Technology had advanced, and he needed someone with fresh expertise.

I understood and supported that decision,” she said. Yet stepping back from management didn’t mean stepping away. Montano remains deeply involved in the family’s ventures, including real estate, chocolate production, and documenting Machel’s extensive achievements.

“We’ve been cataloguing everything since 1982—costumes, recordings, videos. Now it’s all digitalised for Machel’s children and future generations,” she shared proudly. Montano’s vision has also driven the family’s diversification into other industries, such as the Montanos’ Chocolate Company.

“In 2018, I encouraged us to create our own chocolate factory, involving three generations. It’s not just a business—it’s part of our legacy,” she said. A legacy built on values Montano believes the true success of the Montano family lies in its values.

“Monty and I taught our children resilience, integrity, and the importance of education. We didn’t just tell them; we showed them,” she said. “They saw us work hard, respect others, and embrace failure as a stepping stone.

” These principles have shaped every aspect of Machel’s journey. “From the very beginning, everything he did was never by himself. Whether it was his guitarist, Farmer Nappy, or the band, we built on the principle of support.

No man is an island,” she emphasised. Offering support remains a recurring theme in Montano’s life: “I tell people, you don’t need support from blood relatives. You need people who share your vision.

I’ve always been there for Machel because I know the strength it takes to carry a dream. My greatest contribution has been my unconditional support.” Even as she reflects on her own contributions, her focus remains on the future: “It’s not just about Machel.

It’s about the next generation. We’ve laid the foundation for them to build on, with the hope that they’ll continue to honour the values that brought us here,” she said. Montano’s role in Machel’s success is a testament to the power of love, vision, and resilience.

As the soca monk celebrates 50 years of life and a legacy that has redefined soca music, Montano’s influence continues to resonate, reminding us all of the strength behind the spotlight. “It was never about me. It was always about us—the family, the legacy, and the dream,” she concluded.

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