Black Stalin “Transcended Generations, Geography and Social Strata”, says Trinidad's Culture Minister

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts joined in mourning the loss of cultural icon Dr Leroy “The Black Stalin” Calliste, hailing his contribution to calypso both locally and abroad.

Cultural icon Dr Leroy “The Black Stalin” Calliste“We are deeply saddened by the loss of the undisputed People’s Calypsonian. Stalin was one of our cultural icons whose impact transcended generations, geography and social strata,” said Acting Minister Senator Paula Gopee-Scoon.

“Through his music, many could better appreciate the calypso art form whilst simultaneously being educated and entertained. We will forever be grateful for his contributions to the advancement of calypso locally, regionally and internationally.”

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

He was a standard bearer of Carnival traditions whose work spans from pre-independence to the present. In the 1950s, Stalin began as a limbo dancer, then later devoted the next sixty years of his career to developing the calypso art form.

The veteran calypsonian began his career in the late 1950s and has won the love of many with an extensive repertoire that includes timeless hits like “Black Man Feeling to Party”, “Wait Dorothy”, “Caribbean Unity”, “Ism and Schism”, “Bun Dem”, and his popular Chutney composition, “Tribute to Sundar Popo”.

For his artistry, Stalin was endowed with many well-deserved accolades as the Trinidad and Tobago Humming Bird Medal Silver (for Culture) and inclusion in the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame. In 2008, the University of the West Indies (UWI) conferred the Doctor of Letters (DLitt) for his tremendous contributions to the Calypso tradition and insightful social and political commentary.