DJ Mario Russel honours a national icon
“Another general has gone!” were the cries among calypso lovers upon hearing the news of the passing of Leroy Calliste known as the Black Stalin on the 28th of December 2022. He was 81 years and since 2014 he has been ailing from a stroke that affected his speech and movement on the right side of his body.
Stalin won the Calypso Monarch Competition on five occasions. In 1979 with (Caribbean Man and Play One). In 1985 with (Ism Schism and Wait Dorothy”), In 1987 with (Mr Panmaker and Bun Dem) and in 1991 (Black Man Feeling to Party and Look on the Bright Side). In 1987 he was awarded the Hummingbird Silver Medal for his contribution to culture. In 1999 Black Stalin won the title of Calypso King of the World with the calypsoes “Ah Feel to Party” and “Wine Boy”.
On the 31st of October 2008, Black Stalin became Dr Leroy Calliste when he was given an honorary doctorate from the University of The West Indies, St Augustine for his contribution to the Calypso art form of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2021, Lord Street in San Fernando was renamed Dr Leroy Calliste Street.
Upon hearing of Stalin’s passing, radio stations changed their programming and started playing his music. It seems that one has to die to get their music aired. More attention needs to be given to honouring our treasured artists. It seems unthinkable but the reality is that preference is given to foreign cultures rather than our own.
Little by little, our calypso greats are moving on. There is no venue one can visit and see their archives. There is no place to hear pan and calypso and learn about its history and featured artists. We talk about tourism but are we serious? In Jamaica, the Bob Marley Museum attracts thousands of visitors yearly. It is the number one tourist attraction in Kingston.
Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of calypso and pan. However, we are yet to build a headquarters to showcase our culture. It seems that the various associations representing our culture (calypso and pan) lack the determination to make things happen.
Listen to the words of Black Stalin’s songs. There is always a message about upliftment and striving for betterment. His songs are about reality and the everyday struggles of citizens. “We Can make it If We try”, “Caribbean Man”, “More Come”, “Vampire Year”, “Come with It”, “Run Something”, “Kaiso gone dread” and “Better days are coming”.
For over thirty years Black Stalin’s “Blackman Feeling to Party” has ruled the calypso dance floors. The song is an anthem that is always played to wake up the crowd at a party.
Although he has passed his music will live on and speak to us about the importance of Caribbean Unity. His songs are about nation-building and black consciousness. We need to listen and follow his message. “Then is one race the Caribbean Man, from the same place the Caribbean Man, that makes the same trip the Caribbean Man, on the same ship, the Caribbean Man.”
Presently, our music seems to be heading in the direction of “wine and Jam” and the need for constructive lyrics have gone through the door. One can only hope that younger artists take the time to study Stalin’s music and pickup up the mantle he has left.
