In this interview, founder of Divas Calypso Cabaret International, Dr. Rudolph Ottley, joins Virmala via Zoom to examine the significance, history, and evolution of the Road March competition.
Dr. Ottley breaks down how the Road March originated, why it became one of Carnival’s most respected honours, and how changing audience behaviour, music trends, and modern Carnival systems have influenced what becomes a winning song. He also reflects on the importance of Machel Montano’s 2026 Roach March achievement and what it symbolises in the shift from calypso dominance to today’s soca era, while offering insight into what the future of the Road March could look like in an increasingly digital world.