Brother Resistance

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Brother Resistance
Birth nameRoy Lewis
Also known asLutalo Makossa Masimba
Trinidad & Tobago
Died13 July 2021(2021-07-13) (aged 66)
Port of Spain
GenresRapso, rhythm poetry
Occupation(s)Musician, Rhythm Poet, Performer
Years active1970s–2021
Websitewww.brotherresistance.com

Lutalo Masimba (24 October 1954 – 13 July 2021),[2] born Roy Lewis[3] and known professionally as Brother Resistance, was a rhythm poet and musician from Trinidad and Tobago. He died on 13 July 2021, after being diagnosed with cancer.[4]

Background and career

Born in 1954 as Roy Lewis in

University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, graduating with a B.Sc. degree in Social Sciences with History in 1980.[8]

Brother Resistance became, together with

rap that they called "rapso", a genre for which they credited Lancelot Layne as originator.[9][11]

The band was considered subversive by the authorities, and their rehearsal space and offices were destroyed by the police in June 1983.[9] The group released their first album, Roots of de Rapso Rhythm, in 1984, which was followed by Rapso Explosion and Rapso Takeover in 1985 and 1986 respectively.[9] International performances brought recognition from overseas, changing the attitude of the T&T government, who selected Brother Resistance as their cultural delegate to the World Festival of Youth and Students in Korea.[9] His best known song was 1987's "Ring de bell", in which he advocates symbolically ringing the bell for justice and freedom.[12][13][14]

In 1992, Brother Resistance was honoured with a national award, the Hummingbird Medal.[7]

He appeared at New York's New Music Festival in 1992 and in 1993 at the International Dub Poetry Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[9]

In 2002 he was nominated for a Cacique Award for his performance as Aldrick in Earl Lovelace's dramatization of The Dragon Can't Dance.[7]

In 2017, Brother Resistance was inducted into the Queen's Royal College Hall of Honour for his contributions to art and culture in Trinidad.[15][8]

He was president of the

Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO).[16][17]

He died aged 66 on 13 July 2021, at the West Shore Medical Private Hospital, Western Main Road, Cocorite, Trinidad and Tobago.[18][19]

Solo discography

Albums

  • Touch De Earth with Rapso (1991)
  • Heart of the Rapso Nation (1992)
  • De Power of Resistance (1996), Rituals
  • Let Us Rejoice (2001)
  • When De Riddum Explode (2001)

Singles

  • "Tonite Is De Nite" (1987), Riddum Distribution Network
  • "Jah Never Fail Me" (2001), Blue Flame

References

  1. ^ Webb, Yvonne (14 July 2021). "Brother Resistance dies". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  2. ^ "The final farewell". Daily Express. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  3. Allmusic
    . Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  4. ^ "Brother Resistance's family clears the air on false rumours". www.izzso.com. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  5. ^ Mondezie, Michael (22 February 2020). "Brother Resistance's Black Power awakening". Sunday Express. Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  6. ^ "T&T cultural and Rapso artist Brother Resistance, has died". The Caribbean Camera. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Doughty, Melissa (27 July 2021). "Final rites for Bro Resistance – 'A humble man who conquered the world'". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  8. ^ a b "UWI bids farewell to Distinguished Alum and Rapso King Brother Resistance". Campus News. University of the West Indies. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  9. ^
    ISBN 0-87930-655-6
    , pp. 42–43.
  10. ^ Dowlat-Rostant, Rhondor (14 July 2021). "Brother Resistance dies". www.guardian.co.tt. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  11. ^ Oumano, Elena (1999), "Resistance Exports Rapso to US, Europe", Billboard, 9 January 1999, p. 18. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  12. ^ Mendes-Franco, Janine (14 July 2021). "'Ring de bell': Brother Resistance, who mainstreamed Trinidad & Tobago's rapso music, has died". Global Voices. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Brother Resistance – Ring The Bell". Discogs. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Birdsong rings de bell for Brother Resistance!". Sunday Express. Trin idad Express Newspapers. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  15. ^ "Brother Resistance inducted into QRC Hall of Honour". The Loop. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  16. ^ Doughty, Melissa (16 July 2021). "UWI, COTT, Birdsong pay tribute to Bro Resistance". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  17. ^ "UWI-ROYTEC remembers the life and work of Lutalo Masimba, 'Bro Resistance'". ROYTEC. UWI School of Business and Applied Studies Limited (UWI-ROYTEC). Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  18. ^ Bowman, Wayne (14 July 2021). "Brother Resistance has died". Saturday Express. Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  19. ^ Doughty, Melissa (15 July 2021). "Tributes flow in for Brother Resistance". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 27 March 2022.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brother_Resistance&oldid=1170105449"