For the past few weeks, a soulful female voice has been quietly taking over the airwaves, belting out lyrics on the hit song “Lost in Trinbago.”

The voice belongs to Mela Caribe, an artist whose name may still be new to some listeners, but whose moment has been years in the making.

As the Carnival season unfolds, 2026 is shaping up to be a breakout year for the singer, songwriter and performer, one she describes as both earned and divinely timed.

“I feel thrilled, honestly, and I feel so honoured to be recognised for my contribution,” Mela told Caribbean Pulse in an interview on January 23. “I’ve been praying and manifesting and working hard behind the scenes, so it’s glad to see the fruits of my labor finally ripen up.”

Music, she explained, has always been part of her life.

Raised in the church, Mela found her voice early, using music as an outlet for expression as an only child. 

While she spent years performing covers and original material at open mic nights, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that she officially released her first project, Tell Me What You Like, working alongside DJ Private Ryan in 2022.

Asked why this moment feels like a turning point, Mela credits preparation as much as faith.

“I thank God. My mom always teaches me nothing happens before it’s time,” she said. “I think God has been seeing me plant the seed and water the seed for years, and I think that he knows that I’m ready now.”

That readiness has translated into a carefully planned musical rollout. 

For the current Carnival season, Mela released three songs — “Bad Influence,” “Dancing in the Streets,” and “Lost in Trinbago.”

The rollout was a deliberate choice, as the young artiste wanted to avoid burnout and ensure each song had its moment in the spotlight.

“I’m very, very intentional with my music,” she explained. “Every project that I release, it tells a story. I also don’t want to overwhelm myself being a newer artist with 10 tracks. Everything was planned.”

One of the season’s major moments was her collaboration with Machel Montano on “Dancing in the Streets.” 

Mela described the experience as deeply personal, revealing that her stage name came from a vision she had years ago of Montano introducing her on stage.

This marked the second time the two have worked together. 

Mela, whose given name is Shereese Edmund, was a writer on “Pepper Vine,” which Montano performed alongside Lady Lava, DJ Private Ryan and Drupatee. 

The song earned Montano his first Chutney Soca Monarch title in 2025.

Mela said having the King of Soca trust her abilities for a second collaboration was a major confidence boost.

“To have him believe in me, genuinely believe in my talent, my singing, my songwriting… it’s something that I can’t even sum up in words,” she said.

Montano is known for his high standards and perfectionism, and Mela recalled that when he first heard the demo, his response was simply: “we could do better.”

She said he encouraged her to expand her writing. 

After revisiting the lyrics and making adjustments, Montano played the song again and was sold.

Beaming with pride at her accomplishment, Mela said, “He didn’t even let me change a note. He never made me re-record my vocals.”

That experience she added “really shows me that I do belong.”

Audiences across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean diaspora have been embracing her music, and Mela said the response has been deeply affirming.

“As a creative, all we want to do is to be seen, to be felt, and to be heard,” she said. “It’s an incredible feeling.”

“To have so many people dance to my music and sing my music word for word — not just one particular demographic — it just makes me feel like, yeah, this is my purpose,” she said. “As a creative, all we want to do is to be seen, to be felt, and to be heard.”

Looking ahead, Mela said Carnival is only the beginning.

“I’m really hoping that this season catapults me into the rest of my year,” she said. “I really hope that this is the year people really have Mela Caribe’s name on their tongues and in their hearts.”

She told Caribbean Pulse that she has written several projects for major names in the industry that are set to be released soon, but said she was not at liberty to disclose details at the time of the interview.