Calypsonian Black Stalin dies at 80

The calypso fraternity has been plunged into mourning with the loss of life of achieved Trinidadian calypsonian Black Stalin on Wednesday morning on the age of 80.

Stalin, whose identify is Dr. Leroy Calliste, handed away at his house in San Fernando, Trinidad.

Black Stalin was a number one calypsonian recognized for his lyrics towards European colonial oppression. He gained the Calypso Monarch competitors on 5 events and the Calypso King of the World title in 1999.

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Born and raised on Espresso Road in San Fernando to George and Elcina Calliste, he’s one in every of 4 kids. He attended San Fernando Boys’ R.C. Faculty. He labored as a limbo dancer earlier than taking over singing calypso in 1959 when he made his debut on the Good Shepherd Corridor in St. Madeleine, however didn’t be part of a calypso tent till 1962 when he joined the Southern Brigade. He was given the nickname Black Stalin by fellow calypsonian Blakie within the mid-Nineteen Sixties. In 1967 Black Stalin joined Kitchener’s Calypso Revue tent and managed to position in that 12 months’s Calypso Monarch competitors.

Stalin gained the Calypso Monarch competitors for the primary time in 1979 (with “Caribbean Man” and “Play One”) and went on to win it once more in 1985, 1987, 1991 and 1995.

In 1979 he moved over to the Mighty Shadow’s King of the Wizards Tent and recorded his first album, To the Caribbean Man. That 12 months he walked away together with his first Calypso Monarch crown for his two compositions, “Caribbean Unity” and “Play One”.

In 1985 he gained the crown once more with “Ism Schism” and “Wait Dorothy”, and once more in 1987 with a tribute to metal band entitled “Mr. Panmaker” and “Bun ‘Dem”, a tune calling for St. Peter to solid the likes of Christopher Columbus, Cecil Rhodes, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan into hell.

In 1987 he was additionally awarded the Hummingbird Medal (Silver) for his contribution to Trinidad and Tobago tradition.

After ending as runner-up to Mighty Sparrow in 1985, in 1999 Black Stalin gained the title of Calypso King of the World with the calypsos “Ah Really feel to Celebration” and “Wine Boy”, poking enjoyable on the politician Dhanraj Singh.

Stalin celebrated his eightieth birthday in September and was celebrated at an occasion in Gasparillo.