"Going for Gold" is being touted as the catalyst that will propel Soca music internationally.
Machel signed a contract on Wednesday with the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development.
The Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development, Dr. Bhoe Tewarie, said Project Gold will serve two purposes: to create a compact disc that will provide inspiration to T&T's Olympic athletes and their fans and a musical rallying cry for national unity, and to be an innovative opportunity to showcase Trinidad and Tobago's culture through music.
He said the project will be totally funded by the Government.
"We have given Machel's team complete artistic freedom in this to do all collaborations necessary. We have just said we will be the wind beneath your wings. We have said all that needs to be done go ahead and do it, you have the freedom."
Dr. Tewarie did not want to say just how much Government is pumping into this project.
"I don't want to use a number and cloud the story. I would say it's not an enormous amount but we will facilitate the process to ensure success. I think Machel has been very reasonable, we are very prudent with Government finances which are taxpayers' money."
The Planning Minister said a significant proportion of the profits from the sale of CDs and other income generated by the Going for Gold project will go into an investment fund for the music industry in T&T.
2012 Triple Crown winner Machel Montano admitted that the biggest challenge for Soca artistes is to take Soca to the corners of the globe. But he believes now is the time for the youth of the nation to take the music further.
The Going for Gold CD will see T&T artistes collaborating with international stars such as Pitbull, Chaka Khan, Black Eyed Peas and Beenie man to name a few. Machel said it's not about changing the identity of our music.
"Some say to-may-toh some say to-mah-to this word of diluting you know I see it as unifying when you bring two things together you don't dilute but you strengthen or you create something new, never seen before."
Going for Gold will also feature Calypso greats such as Sparrow, David Rudder and Black Stalin. The launch of the title track will take place on Monday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain.
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