His only aim is to promote the culture of his country, and soca superstar Machel Montano is making no apologies for doing that, whatever it takes.

"I think you have to work for your country and to work for your country you have to work with the government. My main aim is the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. I have worked all my life since I was seven years old for the culture of Trinidad and Tobago to further the culture of my country. I cannot do that without government collaboration. I've done it with and without them and now I think it's a time that is critical for us all to work together to move forward and advance," Montano told the Express.

When asked to comment on whether he thought he had "sold out" to the current Government, Montano, who performed during the People's Partnership second anniversary celebrations in May, said, "For those who want to nitpick and talk about government, I don't know how you can sell out to a government when you are putting your country first."

Montano was speaking at the launch of Caribbean Airlines inaugural flight to London (Gatwick) on June 14 at Piarco International Airport. He is the new brand ambassador for the airline, in addition to being a cultural ambassador for the country. "That home feeling, home food, home warmth that you feel when you're on CAL—the friendliness of the people. I have been with CAL since it was BWIA and I will continue...I even make that a stipulation for promoters flying me out of the country that it must be on Caribbean Airlines.

He is also an extended member of the CAL family, as his brother, Captain Marcus Montano, is a pilot with the airline.

Montano will also be collaborating with the government on a special 50th Anniversary Independence album. The album will have some involvement with pan, some involvement with traditional calypso, but there's also going to be a push to work with a lot of the international people who are on the cutting edge of music. We want to show we have a strong foundation but we have our heads focused on the future, making our impression felt on the world as a Caribbean nation. I am very proud to say this is something we have to offer to the world at a time when the world is going for gold in the Olympics; we are also heading for gold with our fiftieth anniversary," he said.