Richard ‘Macoy’ Valentine, the celebrated winner of Synergy Soca Star 2009 previously known by his stage name Chynee, has announced the forthcoming release of his inaugural studio album scheduled for next year. This significant career milestone follows his recent launch of the 2026 soca single ‘Birds of a Feather’ on December 1st, a vibrant anthem promoting the celebration of life and unwavering friendship.
Macoy’s artistic journey demonstrates strategic development through diverse collaborations and commercial adaptations. His soca parang single ‘Lopinot’ gained remarkable traction, ultimately capturing the attention of Bhagwansingh’s Hardware which transformed the composition into a commercial jingle. This corporate partnership significantly expanded his audience reach, motivating the artist to pursue similar brand collaborations for promotional opportunities.
The Trinidadian performer emphasizes that strategic partnerships have been instrumental throughout his career evolution. He acknowledges substantial support from a local comedian who provided performance platforms within comedy events, enabling Macoy to showcase his talent to audiences across Port of Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas and Chaguaramas throughout this year.
His collaborative network extends to seven years of work with Chainlinxx Productions, alongside creative partnerships with graphic artist Timothy Bootan, Unique Productions, and multimedia company Akua Ltd. Macoy has consciously utilized constructive criticism to refine his artistry, focusing particularly on vocal technique enhancement as advised by his professional circle.
Further expanding his creative scope, the artist has partnered with Black Hat Designs to promote a children’s book centered on ‘paying it forward’ principles. While currently focused on Carnival preparations, Macoy aspires to achieve the versatility of dancehall/reggae icon Busy Signal. His debut album will feature 10-15 tracks spanning soca, afrobeats, reggae and dancehall genres, including several collaborative performances.