Calypso Rose | |
|---|---|
 Calypso Rose | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Linda McArtha Monica Sandy-Lewis (or McCartha Linda Sandy-Lewis) |
| Also known as | Crusoe Kid |
| Born | April 27, 1940 Bethel Village, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocalist |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Because Music |
| Website | Official website |
Calypso Rose or Linda McCartha Monica Sandy-Lewis (born April 27, 1940, in Bethel Village, Tobago) is a Trinidadian calypsonian. She started writing songs at the age of 13; over the years, she has composed more than 1000 songs and recorded more than 20 albums.[1][2] Considered the "mother of calypso", Rose was the first female calypso star and her lyrics frequently address social issues like racism and sexism. Her influence over the calypso music genre forced the renaming of the Calypso King competition to the Calypso Monarch instead.[3] In addition to writing songs about social issues, Rose is also an activist and was given the title of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for former child soldiers along with performing at numerous events for social change.[3] She has received every award available to living artists in the Caribbean.[4][5]
She currently resides in Queens, New York, and regularly returns to Trinidad and Tobago in addition to touring.[5]
- ^ "caribbean-contact-vol14-no11-apr-1987". Caribbean Contact. doi:10.1163/2210-7975_hrd-0172-0088.
- ^ Culshaw, Peter (2016-07-21). "Calypso Rose: 'I'm fighting for everyone, regardless of sex'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
- ^ a b "UWI Today". sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
- ^ "78-Year-Old Caribbean Trailblazer Calypso Rose on Her History-Making Coachella Gig". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
- ^ a b Mendez Mendez, Serafín. (2003). Notable Caribbeans and Caribbean Americans : a biographical dictionary. Cueto, Gail. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313314438. OCLC 46959797.