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

calypsonian A calypsonian, originally known as a ''chantwell'', is a musician from the anglophone Caribbean who sings songs of the Calypso music, calypso genre. Calypsos are musical renditions having their origins in the West African griot tradition. Origin ...

from

Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago, officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean, comprising the main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, along with several List of islands of Trinidad and Tobago, smaller i ...

known for his lyrics against European colonial oppression. He won the

Calypso Monarch The Calypso Monarch (originally Calypso King) contest is one of the two major annual calypso competitions held in Trinidad and all English speaking Caribbean islands, as part of the annual carnival celebrations. History While Trinidad's carnival ...

competition on five occasions and the Calypso King of the World title in 1999.

Biography/Life story

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 Calypso tents are venues in which calypsonians perform during the Carnival season. They usually are cinema halls, community centers, or other indoor buildings which have seating and stage arrangements to host the entertainers, guests and patrons ...

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 Mus ...

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

Mighty Shadow Winston McGarland Bailey (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, but grew up in ...

'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
, ''

Spin Spin or spinning most often refers to: * Spin (physics) or particle spin, a fundamental property of elementary particles * Spin quantum number, a number which defines the value of a particle's spin * Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thr ...

'', November–December 1987, p. 12. Retrieved 11 September 2012. a song calling for St. Peter to cast the likes of

Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus (; between 25 August and 31 October 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an Italians, Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed Voyages of Christopher Columbus, four Spanish-based voyages across the At ...

Cecil Rhodes Cecil John Rhodes ( ; 5 July 185326 March 1902) was an English-South African mining magnate and politician in southern Africa who served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896. He and his British South Africa Company founded th ...

Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013), was a British stateswoman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party (UK), Leader of th ...

and

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party a ...

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 The Hummingbird Medal (abbreviated HBM or H.B.M.) is a state decoration of Trinidad and Tobago, instituted in 1969. The medal is awarded for loyal and devoted service beneficial to the state in any field, or acts of conspicuous gallantry or other o ...

(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

chutney A chutney () is a spread typically associated with cuisines of the Indian subcontinent. Chutneys are made in a wide variety of forms, such as a tomato relish, a ground peanut garnish, yogurt, or curd, cucumber, spicy coconut, spicy onion ...

, with a "Tribute to

Sundar Popo Sundar Popo HBM, born Sundarlal Popo Bahora (; 4 November 1943 – 2 May 2000) was a Trinidadian and Tobagonian musician. He is credited as being the father of Chutney music, beginning with his 1969 hit ''Nana and Nani''. Early life Popo w ...

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

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

''. Retrieved 11 September 2012. In 1994 he signed with

Eddy Grant Edmond Montague Grant (born 5 March 1948) is a Guyanese in the United Kingdom, Guyanese-British singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for his genre-blending sound and socially conscious lyrics; his music has blended elements of p ...

'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 Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, ORTT Chaconia Medal, CM Order of the British Empire, OBE (born 9 July 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a Trinidadian Calypso music, calypso vocalist, songwriter, and guitar ...

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 18 English-speaking countries and territories in t ...

, 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
", ''

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. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the Western Hemisphere. Original ...

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

Personal life and death

On 22 September 2014, he was hospitalised after suffering a 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 *''Best of Black Stalin'' (1997), Musicrama

Singles, EPs

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

References

External links

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