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The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation wishes to remind all financial members of the South/Central Zone that the Zone Election is scheduled for Saturday 29th August 2026. Voting will take place at the Creative Arts Centre, Circular Road, Mon Repos, San Fernando, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Members are advised to arrive well before the close of polls to allow sufficient time to complete the voting process.

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO), through its Adjudication Management Committee, has opened a call for suitably qualified persons interested in serving as adjudicators for the organisation’s National Calypso Competitions for Carnival 2027. The initiative forms part of TUCO’s continued effort to maintain high standards, transparency and cultural integrity in the judging of its national competitions. Applicants should possess suitable academic qualificatio

TUCO has confirmed the nominees who will contest its upcoming South/Central Zone Election following the close of nominations on August 18th. Victoria Cooper-Rahim and Steve Pascall are nominated for Chairman, Makeda Darius and Brian London for Vice Chairman, and McMorris Edwards and Annalisa Hudlin for Secretary. Curlissa Charles-Mapp is unopposed for Treasurer, while Andal Alexander, Joseph Thompson, Wendy Lewis and Meguella Simon will contest the Public Relations Officer po

TUCO’s South/Central Zone has extended the deadline for nominations in its upcoming Zone Election following the theft of the official nomination box. The new deadline is Tuesday, August 18th, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. sharp. The Zone says the extension is intended to ensure eligible members have a fair opportunity to participate. The election remains scheduled for Saturday, August 29th, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation proudly extends its support to Nicholas Lucas, a valued member of the TUCO South Zone, as he competes in the finals of Trinbago Talent Uncovered today, Sunday, 16 August 2026, at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA). Reaching the final stage of this national competition is a significant achievement and reflects Nicholas' talent, dedication and commitment to his craft. His success is a proud moment for the South Z

Today, we celebrates the birthday of Karega Mandela, one of the enduring voices of Trinidad and Tobago’s Rapso movement and an artiste whose career has been rooted in rhythm, culture and social consciousness. Born Neil Charles in Blanchisseuse, Mandela’s journey in performance began while he was still at school, where he developed his skills as a drummer, singer and dancer before eventually becoming involved in Trinidad’s growing sound-system and cultural movement. After movi

The TUCO South Central Zone has announced that its 2026 Zonal Elections will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with voting scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ahead of the election, nominations will open on Monday, August 10 and continue through Saturday, August 15, 2026. Nomination submissions will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, with the final Saturday session running from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Nomination forms will be available from the TUCO Sout

Photo by Carver Thompson Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian Tameika Darius will add some Trini flavour to the Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch tonight, making a special guest appearance at one of the region’s major calypso events. The competition takes place at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre in Anguilla and brings together leading calypso performers from across the Leeward Islands as part of the 2026 Anguilla Summer Festival. For Darius, the appearance provides another opportu

Singing Sandra used calypso to speak for women, working-class communities and people whose struggles were often ignored. Through songs such as Die With My Dignity and Voices from the Ghetto, she addressed sexual exploitation, poverty, unemployment and inequality with honesty and strength. Die With My Dignity highlighted the experiences of women who faced harassment while seeking employment. The song declared that no job or financial reward was worth surrendering one’s self-re

Brother Resistance helped transform rapso into one of Trinidad and Tobago’s strongest musical expressions of resistance, identity and cultural pride. Born Roy Lewis and later known as Lutalo Makossa Masimba, he became one of the movement’s leading pioneers. Through songs including Ring De Bell, Mother Earth and Tonight Is De Night, he used rhythm and spoken word to challenge colonial thinking and defend the value of local culture. Rapso drew from the chantwell, calypso, Afric

Ella Andall used music as a powerful call to identity, ancestry and cultural pride. Through songs such as Black Woman, Hello Africa, Missing Generation and Rhythm of a People, she encouraged Caribbean people to reconnect with their African roots and reject the shame often attached to African spirituality, appearance and tradition. Her performances blended calypso, folk music, Yoruba chants and Orisa influences. At a time when African spiritual practices were often misundersto

Trinidad and Tobago is today celebrating the 95th birthday of legendary calypsonian and soca pioneer Lord Nelson, an entertainer whose music, personality and unmistakable stage presence have made him one of the Caribbean’s most enduring cultural figures. Born Robert Alphonso Nelson in Plymouth, Tobago, Lord Nelson’s extraordinary journey took him from the quiet seaside community of his childhood to stages across the United States, Europe, South America and the Caribbean. Afte

Trinidad and Tobago’s 2026 National Junior Calypso Monarch, Janaya Clarke, proudly represented the country during a special guest appearance at the Scotiabank Crop Over Junior Monarch Finals in Barbados. The talented young performer delivered a confident and engaging presentation before the Barbadian audience, demonstrating the poise and stage presence that helped her secure Trinidad and Tobago’s national title earlier this year. Janaya was crowned National Junior Calypso Mon

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation has completed its 2026 National Executive Elections, with members in Trinidad and Tobago selecting the team that will lead the organisation into its next administrative term. Voting took place on Sunday, 12th July and the most closely watched contest was for President, where Ainsley King was re-elected with 241 votes. His challengers, Kurt Allen and Nikeisha Duncan-Charles, received 125 and 11 votes respectively. King’s victory

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation is reminding eligible members that its National Executive Elections will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, with official polling hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Members voting in Trinidad should visit the VIP Lounge at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, while Tobago members will vote at the Mt. Pleasant Community Centre. All eligible financial members are encouraged to participate and must walk with a copy of a valid

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation (TUCO) advises its membership and the public that the High Court of Justice has declined to grant the application for an injunction that sought to restrain TUCO's National Executive Elections. The elections will therefore proceed as scheduled on Sunday 12th July 2026. The application, brought on behalf of Kurt Allen in the matter of CV2026-02720 Kurt Allen v Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation, Ainsley King and Shirlane

Today, we celebrate a giant of Caribbean music, culture, wit, and storytelling: Slinger Francisco, The Mighty Sparrow, the undisputed Calypso King of the World. Born on July 9, 1935, in Grand Roy, Grenada, and raised in Trinidad, Sparrow’s voice became one of the most important sounds in Caribbean history. From the moment he shook the calypso world with “Jean and Dinah” in 1956, he changed the standard for what a calypsonian could be. He was not just a singer. He was a commen

Trinidad and Tobago’s calypso and cultural fraternity is mourning the passing of Bill Trotman, a respected calypso icon and artist whose life and work formed part of the nation’s rich creative heritage. Trotman’s contribution to culture was recognized nationally in 2005 when he was listed among the recipients of the Hummingbird Medal Silver, an honour that reflected his service and impact within the arts. For many, that recognition confirmed what the cultural community alread

Today, we celebrate Brother Valentino, born Emrold Anthony Phillip on July 7, 1941, a calypso icon whose music continues to stand tall in the story of Caribbean culture. Known affectionately as “The People’s Calypsonian,” Brother Valentino built a legacy rooted in consciousness, commentary and courage. His songs have never been just for the stage. They have spoken to the condition of the people, the struggles of society, the pride of African heritage and the power of calypso

Before the grand stages, broadcast finals and national spotlight, the calypso tent was where the culture breathed. It was where songs were tested, reputations were made and young artistes learned by standing close to the masters. That story begins with Railway Douglas, the calypsonian credited with organizing the first calypso tent. His place in the history matters because it shows that from the very beginning, the tent was not just a venue handed to calypsonians. It was a sp