The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts of Trinidad and Tobago joined in mourning the loss of cultural icon Dr. Leroy “Black Stalin” Calliste, hailing his contribution to calypso both at home and abroad.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of the indisputable calypso of the people. Stalin was one of our cultural icons whose influence transcended generations, geography and social strata,” said Acting Minister Senator Paula Gopee-Scoon.
“Through his music, many can better appreciate the calypso art form while being educated and entertained at the same time. We will be forever grateful for his contribution to the advancement of calypso locally, regionally and internationally.”
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Black Stalin, five-time Calypso Monarch (1979, 1985, 1987, 1991 and 1995) and Calypso King of the World (1999) died Wednesday morning at his home in San Fernando, aged 81.
He was a standard bearer of carnival traditions whose work spans from pre-independence to the present day. In the 1950s, Stalin began as a limbo dancer, then devoted the next 60 years of his career to developing the calypso art form.
The veteran calypsonian began his career in the late 1950s and has won the hearts of many with an extensive repertoire that includes such timeless hits as “Black Man Feeling to Party,” “Wait Dorothy,” “Caribbean Unity,” “Ism and Schism”, “Bun Dem”, and his famous composition Chutney, “Tribute to Sundar Popo”.
For his craftsmanship, Stalin was awarded many well-deserved accolades such as the Trinidad and Tobago Hummingbird Silver Medal (for Culture) and induction into the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame. In 2008, the University of the West Indies (UWI) appointed him Doctor of Letters (DLitt) for his outstanding contribution to the Calypso tradition and profound social and political commentary.
CMC/
