Leroy Calliste (24 September 1941 – 28 December 2022), better known as Black Stalin, was a leading calypsonian from

Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...

known for his lyrics against European colonial oppression. He won the Calypso Monarch competition on five occasions and the Calypso King of the World title in 1999.

Biography

Born and raised on Coffee Street in San Fernando to George and Elcina Calliste, he is one of four children. He attended San Fernando Boys' R.C. School. He worked as a limbo dancer before taking up singing calypso in 1959 when he made his debut at the Good Shepherd Hall in St. Madeleine, but did not join a calypso tent until 1962 when he joined the ''Southern Brigade''.Thompson, Dave (2002), ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, pp. 37–38; .Joseph, Terry (2001),
Sando Celebrates With Black Stalin ...popular bard turns 60 today
, trinicenter.com. Retrieved 11 September 2012. He was given the nickname "Black Stalin" by fellow calypsonian Blakie in the mid-1960s. In 1967 Black Stalin joined Kitchener's ''Calypso Revue'' tent and managed to place in that year's Calypso Monarch competition. Stalin won the Calypso Monarch competition for the first time in 1979 (with "Caribbean Man" and "Play One") and went on to win it again in 1985, 1987, 1991 and 1995.Harris, Craig,
Black Stalin Biography
,

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Music ...

. Retrieved 11 September 2012. In 1979 he moved over to the

Mighty Shadow Winston McGarland Bailey OBE, HBM, DLitt (4 October 1941 – 23 October 2018), better known by his stage name The Mighty Shadow or Shadow, was a calypsonian from Tobago. Career Bailey was born in Belmont, a suburb of Port of Spain in Trinidad ...

's King of the Wizards Tent and recorded his first album, ''To the Caribbean Man''. That year he walked away with his first Calypso Monarch crown for his two compositions, "Caribbean Unity" and "Play One".Scaramuzzo, Gene,
''Caribbean Man'' Review
,

. Retrieved 11 September 2012. In 1985 he won the crown again with "Ism Schism" and "Wait Dorothy",Scaramuzzo, Gene,
''Wait Dorothy Wait'' Review
,

. Retrieved 11 September 2012. and again in 1987 with a tribute to steelband entitled "Mr. Panmaker" and "Bun 'Dem",Scaramuzzo, Gene,
''I Time'' Review
,

. Retrieved 11 September 2012.McLane, Daisann (1987),
In the Court of the Calypso King
, ''

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'', November–December 1987, p. 12. Retrieved 11 September 2012. a song calling for

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to cast the likes of

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Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime ...

and

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into Hell.Christgau, Robert,
Black Stalin
, robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 11 September 2012Dumas, J. R. P. (1997), ''In the Service of the Public: Selected Articles and Speeches 1963-1993 with Commentaries'', Canoe Press, p. 45; . In 1987 he was also awarded the Hummingbird Medal (Silver) for his contribution to Trinidad and Tobago culture. In 1991 the usually dread and critical Stalin took a winning turn and walked away with the Calypso Monarch crown again, with "Look on the Bright Side" and "Black man Feelin' to Party". In 1995 he went

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, with a "Tribute to Sundar Popo", in honour of his old friend and fellow singer.Pareles, Jon (19 July 1995)
"POP REVIEW; Two Calypso Monarchs in the Park"
''

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''. Retrieved 11 September 2012. In 1994 he signed with Eddy Grant's Ice Records label, releasing the ''Rebellion'' album that year and ''Message to Sundar'' in 1995. After finishing as runner-up to

Mighty Sparrow Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful caly ...

in 1985, in 1999 Black Stalin won the title of Calypso King of the World with the calypsoes "Ah Feel to Party" and "Wine Boy", poking fun at the politician Dhanraj Singh. Black Stalin became Dr. Leroy Calliste on 31 October 2008, when he was conferred with an honorary doctorate from the

University of the West Indies The University of the West Indies (UWI), originally University College of the West Indies, is a public university system established to serve the higher education needs of the residents of 17 English-speaking countries and territories in the ...

, St. Augustine, for his tremendous dedication and contribution to Calypso music and culture in Trinidad and Tobago.University of the West Indies (UWI) honorary degrees for Lee Chin and Orane
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Jamaica Gleaner ''The Gleaner'' is an English-language, morning daily newspaper founded by two brothers, Jacob and Joshua de Cordova on 13 September 1834 in Kingston, Jamaica. Originally called the ''Daily Gleaner'', the name was changed on 7 December 1992 to ' ...

'', 29 April 2008. Eetrieved 11 September 2012.

Personal life and death

On 22 September 2014, he was hospitalised after suffering stroke a few hours after performing at a charity show in south Trinidad. Relatives said that Stalin, 73, was rushed to the San Fernando Hospital after he started experiencing severe pain to his back on returning home from performing at the inclusive fundraiser hosted by the St. Andrew Anglican Church in aid of its building fund. Black Stalin died on 28 December 2022, at the age of 81.

Discography

Albums

*''To the Caribbean Man'' (1979), Makossa International *''This is It'' (1980), Makossa International *''In Ah Earlier Time'' (1981), Makossa International *''You Ask For It'' (1984), Charlie's *''Wait Dorothy Wait'' (1985), Charlie's *''I Time'' (1986), B's *''We Can Make It'' (1988) *''To De Master'' (1989), WB *''The Bright Side'' (1991), Straker's *''Cry of the Caribbean'' (1992), Straker's *''Help'' (1993), Straker's *''Rebellion'' (1994), Ice *''Message to Sundar'' (1995), Ice *''Just For You'' (2009), Charlie's/ VP ;Live: *''Live! Collector's Edition'' (2009), JW ;Compilations: *''Roots Rock Soca'' (1991),

Rounder Rounder(s) or The Rounder(s) may refer to: Film and television * ''The Rounders'' (1914 film), a comedy short * ''The Rounder'' (1930 film), a comedy short * ''The Rounders'' (1965 film), a western comedy * ''Rounders'' (film), a 1998 poker f ...

*''Best of Black Stalin'' (1997), Musicrama

Singles, EPs

*"Man Is Man" (1977), Semp *''Nah Ease Up'' EP (1990), Carotte

References

External links

* as Black Stalin * asd Leroy Calliste * as Black Stalin * as Leroy Calliste {{DEFAULTSORT:Black Stalin 1941 births 2022 deaths 20th-century Trinidad and Tobago male singers 21st-century Trinidad and Tobago male singers Calypsonians People from San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago Recipients of the Hummingbird Medal Trinidad and Tobago Rastafarians