Trinidad’s Tradition Minister says Black Stalin “transcended generations, geography and social strata”


Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Tourism, Tradition and the Arts joined in mourning the lack of cultural icon Dr. Leroy “The Black Stalin” Calliste, hailing his contribution to calypso each regionally and overseas.

“We’re deeply saddened by the lack of the undisputed individuals’s calypsonian. Stalin was one among our cultural icons whose impression transcended generations, geography, and social strata,” stated appearing minister Senator Paula Gopee-Scoon.

“By means of his music, many might higher admire the calypso artwork kind while concurrently being educated and entertained. We are going to eternally be pleased about his contributions to the development of calypso regionally, regionally and internationally.”

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Black Stalin, the five-time Calypso Monarch (1979, 1985, 1987, 1991 and 1995) and Calypso King of the World (1999) handed away Wednesday morning, at his house in San Fernando, on the age of 81.

He was an ordinary bearer of Carnival traditions whose work spans from pre-independence to the current. Within the Fifties, Stalin started as a limbo dancer, then later devoted the following 60 years of his profession to growing the calypso artwork kind.

The veteran calypsonian started his profession within the late Fifties and has received the love of many with an in depth repertoire that features timeless hits like “Black Man Feeling to Celebration”, “Wait Dorothy”, “Caribbean Unity”, “Ism and Schism”, “Bun Dem”, and his widespread Chutney composition, “Tribute to Sundar Popo”.

For his artistry, Stalin was endowed with many well-deserved accolades because the Trinidad and Tobago Buzzing Hen Medal Silver (for Tradition) and inclusion within the Sunshine Awards Corridor of Fame. In 2008, the College of the West Indies (UWI) conferred the Physician of Letters (DLitt) for his super contributions to the Calypso custom and insightful social and political commentary.

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