Brother Resistance

Brother Resistance
Birth nameRoy Lewis
Also known asLutalo Makossa Masimba[1]
Born(1954-10-24)24 October 1954
OriginTrinidad & Tobago
Died13 July 2021(2021-07-13) (aged 66)
Port of Spain
GenresRapso, rhythm poetry
Occupation(s)Musician, Rhythm Poet, Performer
Years active1970s–2021
Formerly ofNetwork Riddim Band
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 East Dry River, Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago, he began writing poetry in primary school, and went on to study at Queen's Royal College. He was influenced by Trinidad's 1970 Black Power movement to become conscious of his African identity,[5] and he would eventually change his name to Lutalo Masimba in 1982, in order to better reflect his heritage.[6][7] He assumed the soubriquet "Brother Resistance" when he began performing and chanting his poetry at school.[7] He went on to further studies at the 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 Brother Shortman, the lead singer of the Network Riddim Band, a Trinidadian ensemble, in 1979.[9][10] They developed a hybrid of soca and 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. ^ Mondezie, Michael (30 December 2021). "The final farewell". Daily Express. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  3. ^ Harris, Craig. "Biography: Brother Resistance & the Network Riddum Band". 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. ^ a b c d e f Thompson, Dave (2002), Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, 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.