PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning for the second year running, has agreed to lend his distinguished patronage to the 2nd Annual Black Stalin Kaiso Festival, dedicated to the Soca Warriors before they begin their World Cup quest in Germany.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, June 3, at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port of Spain.

The Hon. Prime Minister will also make a special presentation to the five-time national Calypso Monarch and reigning Calypso King of Kings in celebration of his 49th anniversary in calypso at the June 3 concert.

Stalin’s good friend, icon musician and bandleader, Roy Cape, who is celebrating his 48th year as a calypso musician, will receive an award from the Hon. Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Joan Yuille-Williams.

Promoter, Randy Glasgow said yesterday: “This production was created to pay tribute annually to someone who has done and continue to do so much for our culture.”

BLACK STALIN:
“My entire
performance
is dedicated
to them.”

Stalin shouldn’t be seen only in terms of having composed and rendered some of the finest calypsoes we have heard over the past four decades but one who has been equally popular at home and abroad and who is highly respected for his contribution to charitable causes.

“The hallmark of a champion artiste in any genre is one whose works stands the test of time and nobody could contest the longevity of Black Stalin’s calypso creations,” Glasgow said.

“He does not put together lyrics to suit only the moment at first presentation but timeless narratives that remain applicable to the social conditions that first inspired him to write the particular piece; which is why we could sing Bun Dem, Wait Dorothy or Feeling To Party for another 50 years and get the same response he did at the time of their debut.”

Stalin, 65, said this concert on June 3 in honour of the Soca Warriors, is very special to him.

He said: “The National Football team is close to his heart and want to give them his heart in songs.

“My entire performance is dedicated to them.

“In fact, we are presently speaking with two big artistes with big football songs and great fans of the Soca Warriors to have them on June 3,” Stalin concluded.