Discover the legacy of Dr. Leroy Calliste, also known as Black Stalin, a legendary calypsonian. Learn about his impact on the people through his powerful music. This Peoples calypsonian made his Final Call, but his impact on the world of music and activism will never be forgotten. Learn more about the man behind the powerful and soulful songs that continue to inspire generations. #DrLeroyCalliste #BlackStalin #PeoplesCalypsonian #FinalCall
Dr. Leroy Calliste Black Stalin - Peoples calypsonian made his Final Call to (TUCO) Trinidad Unified Calypso Organization.
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Dr. Leroy Calliste - Black Stalin - Peoples calypsonian
Leroy Calliste (born 24 September 1941), better known as Black Stalin, is a leading calypsonian from Trinidad and Tobago known for his militant Rastafarian and black nationalist lyrics. He has won the Calypso Monarch competition on five occasions and the Calypso King of the World title in 1999. He was born on Coffee Street, the heart of San Fernando, Stalin still resides there.
Apart from a short stint as a tally clerk on the Pointe-a-Pierre waterfront and a brief adventure as a limbo dancer, calypso is all Stalin ever since leaving primary school. He also played pan in his youth and still takes an occasional jam on the piano, but life for Black Stalin has been calypso.
His debut came in 1959 at Saint Madeline’s Good Sheppard Hall, but it was not until 1962 he joined a calypso tent (The Southern Brigade), although his work had previously come to the attention of the art-form’s senior players. Indeed, it was Warlord Blakie, that year’s road march Monarch, who dubbed him The Black Stalin.
In 1967 he was cast at Kitchener’s Calypso Revue and graduated to national significance by earning a place in the annual calypso competition, pitting him against stalwarts like Lord Melody, Cypher, Young Killer and Composer for the $1,000 prize. Two years later, he made the grade and convincingly, singing “Caribbean Man” and “ Play One”, the latter a tribute to pan pioneer Winston “Spree” Simon.
The Spree tribute and several of that ilk were to follow, constructed a relationship between Stalin and pan that is hardly duplicated, although several of his peers set out to create music especially for the national musical instrument. Songs like “Mr. Panmaker” retain a special respect among pannist, while “Sundar”, a tribute to the chutney superstar was a bold step, that one may still be much to steep for those yet to achieve Stalin’s independence of thought.
The song “ Culture”, a most musical sneer at the lack of reference to indigenous arts in the 2000/2001 national budget, makes the kind of point that endears Stalin to a cross section of arts aficionados not limited to his preferred area. Who among us has not joined in the refrain: “If ah did know, ah would hold on to mih steelband and calypso”
ARTIST: STALIN
SONG:
1. More Come
2. Come With It
3. Nothing Comes Easy
4. Move
5. Cry Of The Caribbean People
6. Help
7. Calypso Music
8. Help In Trinidad
9. Wait Dorothy Wait
10. Better Days Are Coming
11. Monday Nite Mass
12. Turn Back
13. Black Man Feeling To Party
Artist: GARY CORDNER
Song: Tribute To Black Stalin
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ARCHIVE & RIGHTS MANAGER Jeffery Selvon
ARCHIVE & RIGHTS CONSULTANT Carla Parris
CONTACT: decarlo1995@gmail.com
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