TUCO mourns Brother Resistance’s passing

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) has issued an official statement, expressing “shock and sadness” over the passing of the calypso body’s president, Lutalo Masimba, known and loved as Rapso icon “Brother Resistance”…

2994399

The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) has issued an official statement, expressing “shock and sadness” over the passing of the calypso body’s president, Lutalo Masimba, known and loved as Rapso icon “Brother Resistance”…

TUCO STATEMENT ON DEATH OF BROTHER RESISTANCE

It is with great shock and sadness that we announce the death of our beloved President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) Mr. Lutalo Masimba known in the cultural fraternity as Brother Resistance. Prior to being elected President Mr. Masimba served as the first Marketing Manager and General Secretary of the Organisation.

Mr. Masimba also served as a Commissioner at the National Carnival Commission, the Vice President of the Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT), and Vice President of Association Caribbean Copyright Societies as well as a director of the People’s Mall Company Limited.

He was a cultural activist and a Rapso artiste of international repute. Best known for his Rapso poetry with the Network Rapso Riddim Band, he has toured the US, Canada, Asia, the Pacific, England and Europe, Venezuela and the Caribbean.

As a cultural activist, researcher and educator, Mr. Masimba has conducted seminars, workshops and lecture demonstrations at schools in the Caribbean, North America and Europe. He is the author of Rapso Explosion (Karsa Press UK) a collection of Rapso poetry.

He was awarded the Humming Bird Silver Medal in 1992 for his contribution to the cultural arts and community development.

In 2012, he was awarded a Master’s degree in Carnival Studies from the University of Trinidad and Tobago. At the time of death Mr. Masimba was reading for his Ph.D. at the University of the West Indies.

Mr. Masimba was a hardworking, diligent and futuristic President. He cared deeply about the welfare of our members. He pushed for recognition of calypso and rapso music on the international stage. Mr. Masimba foresaw an Organisation that will be self-sufficient and worked day and night in realizing this vision. Mr. Masimba was a true patriot, a leader, and loved his country.

On behalf of the National Executive of TUCO we extend condolences to his family, friends, the TUCO membership, and the calypso/rapso family.

Funeral arrangements will be posted soon.