“Black Stalin” (Leroy Calliste), the Trinidadian calypsonian, popularly known as “The Caribbean Man,” died at his home on December 28 last after a long illness. He was 81.

In 2014, he suffered a stroke which affected his speech and movement on the right side of his body.

‘Black Stalin’ was crowned calypso monarch in Trinidad five times. He first won the crown in 1979 when he sang “Caribbean Man” and “Play One.” He went on to win the crown in1985, 1987, 1991 and 1995 and in 1999 he won the title of Calypso King of The World.

In 1987 he was awarded the Humming Bird Medal (Silver) for his contribution to Trinidad and Tobago culture and in 2008 he was conferred with an honorary doctorate – Doctor of Letters (DLitt) – by the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

Commenting on the passing of ‘Black Stalin’, Tracy Ramsubag-Mannette, Acting Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto, said he was “masterful in wielding calypso’s ability to craft stories, connect us to our roots and jolt our collective consciousness to injustice and the realities of the downtrodden and voiceless. “

“His belief in a better life for us all, ‘for we women and we children’, his conviction that ‘we can make it if try’ are messages that we can take with us from this true Caribbean man into 2023 and beyond,” she added

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organizations said ‘Black Stalin’ has left “an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of millions who witnessed his energetic performances.”

A funeral service for “Black Stalin” will be held today (Thursday) in San Fernando, Trinidad.