The holidays are a festive time but joy can suddenly be dampened by sadness at the passing of community stalwarts in our family, industry, institutions or nations.
Leroy Black Stalin Calliste - Illustration by Abdul Wahid, MPEWhile enjoying the season of good cheer, millions across the region and our Diaspora were thrust into mourning upon hearing of the death of the legendary Caribbean musician Leroy Calliste, otherwise known by his on-stage sobriquet “Black Stalin”, who inspired multiple generations with his pulsating music, lyrics and effervescent spirit.
I was fortunate as a young lad to be raised by a musically talented mother who often invited me to join her at calypso competitions in Barbados and Trinidad, where she served as a judge, commentator or journalist.
Later on, while working as a journalist in New York, I strengthened bonds with many of the region’s leading musicians, who often depended on performances in the Diaspora to earn a living and advance their professional careers.
I have always admired the incredible work of Black Stalin, the five-time calypso monarch of Trinidad and Tobago, for his skillful and enlightened approach to crafting calypso music in its purest form.
I have a fairly good recall of being present at his 1991 victory at the Queens Park Savannah in Port of Spain when he captured the calypso monarch title with “Look on the Bright Side” and “Black Man Feelin to Party”. Barbadian journalist and calypsonian Adonijah can testify because I remember him erupting with joy when the emcee declared Stalin had emerged victorious.
“Caribbean Man”, “Bun ‘Dem”, “Better Days”, “Tribute To Sundar Popo” and “Wait Dorothy Wait” are among Stalin’s biggest hits.
Janine Mendes-Franco of Global Voices writes: “Throughout his long and vibrant career, Stalin always managed to put a highly original, intelligent spin on the issues of the day. He was a fiercely independent thinker and lyricist who called it like he saw it. ‘Wait Dorothy Wait’, for instance, was a brilliant tune that promised his fans he would one day write them a light-hearted, smutty calypso — but only after serious social issues like corruption, inequity and poverty were addressed. The song, which was both danceable and deep, showcased his creative range and defended his right to sing about topics of social relevance.”
“To all my fans who want smut I am very sorry, but my pleasure does always come second to my duty, and my duty is make to sure that my people life happy,” Stalin crooned.
Stalin’s recipe for a good calypso? He once told television host Wendy Lewis that while message was key, he was always on a mission to “do something to make a difference.”
Brilliance can be easily imitated, but never duplicated. Long live the legacy of the brilliant Black Stalin!
