Brother Resistance
Brother Resistance | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roy Lewis |
| Also known as | Lutalo Makossa Masimba[1] |
| Born | 24 October 1954 |
| Origin | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Died | 13 July 2021 (aged 66) Port of Spain |
| Genres | Rapso, rhythm poetry |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Rhythm Poet, Performer |
| Years active | 1970s–2021 |
| Website | www |
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]
Career
Born in East Dry River, Trinidad and Tobago, Brother Resistance became, together with Brother Shortman, the lead singer of the Network Riddim Band, a Trinidadian ensemble, in 1979.[5][6] They developed a hybrid of soca and rap that they called "rapso", a genre for which they credited Lancelot Layne as originator.[5][7]
The band was considered subversive by the authorities, and their rehearsal space and offices were destroyed by the police in June 1983.[5] 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.[5] 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.[5]
He appeared at New York's New Music Festival in 1992 and in 1993 at the International Dub Poetry Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[5]
Brother Resistance died on 13 July 2021, at the WestShore Medical Private Hospital, Cocorite, Trinidad & Tobago.[8]
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
- ^ Webb, Yvonne (14 July 2021). "Brother Resistance dies". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "The final farewell". Daily Express. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ Harris, Craig. "Biography: Brother Resistance & the Network Riddum Band". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
- ^ "Brother Resistance's family clears the air on false rumours". www.izzso.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Thompson, Dave (2002), Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6, pp. 42–43.
- ^ "Brother Resistance dies". www.guardian.co.tt. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ Oumano, Elena (1999), "Resistance Exports Rapso to US, Europe", Billboard, 9 January 1999, p. 18. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- ^ Bowman, wayne (14 July 2021). "Brother Resistance has died". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
External links
- Official website
- Allmusic entry
- Brother Resistance discography at Discogs
- Brother Resistance at IMDb
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