Calypso Rose (Linda McCartha Monica Sandy-Lewis) vowed to fight to bring happiness to abused women as she accepted a French National Award yesterday.
Speaking after accepting the Officer of Arts and Humanities medal at the French embassy in Port-of-Spain, the Calypso Queen said: “There are so many abuses going around the world today by the men abusing all the women that I have to stand up to fight, to fight, to fight and say ‘oui oui’ to fight to bring happiness to them.”
Since the year began, concern has been voiced by many local groups about the number of women losing their lives to domestic violence.
Recently, the nation was shaken when Naiee Singh, 31 was shot and killed outside her Couva workplace by her husband Roger Singh, 32 before he turned the gun on himself, ending his own life.
The award is Calypso Rose’s third from the French.
Three years ago she took home the trophy for Best World Music Album for her “Far From Home” album at the Victoires de la Musique – the French equivalent to a Grammy Award.
In 2018, she was awarded the French Association of Songwriters, Composers and Music Publishers grand prize in the World Music category.
There are some 29 other entertainers around the world who received the accolade including Beyonce Knowles, her husband Jay-Z, Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman and Joaquin Pheonix.
French Ambassador Serge Lavroff credited the Calypso Queen as the icon responsible for the popularity of Soca and Calypso music in France.
“Her fans are countless, her name sounds familiar everywhere to everyone- to anyone in Paris and far beyond,” he said before presenting her with the award.
He told Guardian Media her songs such as “Leave Me Alone” and “Far From Home” were especially popular.
Last year Calypso Rose made history and waves in international media as she became the oldest performer at the Coachella music festival.
