Features

Today, 20th October, TUCO celebrates Winston “Gypsy” Peters on his 74th birthday, recognising a career filled with memorable music, sharp social commentary and the quick wit that has made him a formidable extempo performer.

Today, 17th October, we celebrate Anthony “Allrounder” Hendrickson, whose humour, storytelling and lively performances have earned him a special place in Trinidad and Tobago’s calypso tradition. His calypso journey began in 1967 with “My Little Brother Charlie,” written by his wife, Wilma, who also gave him the name Allrounder. With guidance from Lord Kitchener and the Growling Tiger, he developed a style built on memorable stories and a natural flair for entertaining. Songs

Two-time National Calypso Monarch Roderick “Chuck” Gordon shares the experiences and influences behind his music in a conversation on The Corie Sheppard Podcast. The discussion explores his journey through calypso and soca, including his “Jiggy Calypso” approach, which brings danceable rhythms together with social commentary. Gordon also considers the calypsonian’s responsibility to reflect the society around them. He reflects on the influence of his father, Roland Gordon, an

Veteran calypsonian Lynette “Lady Gypsy” Steele celebrates her birthday today, marking another chapter in a journey that has stretched across more than four decades of Trinidad and Tobago’s calypso tradition. Known within the fraternity as the “Dragon Lady of Calypso,” Lady Gypsy has built her reputation on a fearless approach to the artform, delivering social commentary, storytelling and performances that speak directly to the issues around her. In 2017, after roughly 40 yea

After more than three decades of preserving tradition, mentoring young people and carrying Trinidad and Tobago’s Moko Jumbie culture onto international stages, Junior Bisnath has received one of the country’s national honours. Bisnath has been named a recipient of the Hummingbird Medal Bronze for his contribution to culture as part of the 2026 National Awards. Known affectionately as the “Constructive Termite,” Bisnath is the founder and director of the Junior Bisnath School

Trinidad and Tobago cultural icon Superblue was celebrated in a special way at the Bishops Anesty Hight School Eeast Social Science Department’s Republic Day Celebration, where students and staff came together to show their appreciation for his contribution to the country’s music and culture. Superblue was present for the September 23rd event and was formally recognised during the programme, receiving a token of appreciation as part of the school’s tribute to his enduring imp

Trinidad and Tobago’s music fraternity is mourning the passing of veteran trumpeter Clive “Mitch” Mitchell, a respected musician whose horn helped shape the live sound of calypso and soca across generations. Mitchell belonged to a remarkable tradition of Trinidad and Tobago bandsmen whose musicianship provided the power behind some of the country’s greatest performers. Long before audiences became accustomed to programmed brass and digital production, musicians like Mitchell

Today, September 6, Trinidad and Tobago celebrates the birthday of veteran calypsonian Sylvester Lockhart, better known as Poser, whose career has stretched across more than six decades of the nation's musical history. Born in 1943, Poser's journey into music began with the steelpan. Growing up in the Matura and Sangre Grande area, he developed his musical foundation playing with steelbands before turning his attention to calypso. He began singing in 1962 and reportedly captu

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

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

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

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

Trinidad and Tobago recently celebrated the birthday of Irwin “Scrunter” Johnson, one of the country’s most distinctive and beloved voices in calypso and parang-soca. His birthday, observed on June 21st, gives us the perfect opportunity to honour a career that has brought joy, humour, storytelling, and cultural pride to generations of music lovers. Scrunter’s career is built on more than hit songs. It is built on feeling. His music carries the sound of village life, celebrati