Brother Resistance Explained

Brother Resistance
Birth Name:Roy Lewis
Alias:Lutalo Makossa Masimba[1]
Birth Date:24 October 1954
Origin:Trinidad & Tobago
Death Place:Port of Spain
Genre:Rapso, rhythm poetry
Occupation:Musician, Rhythm Poet, Performer
Years Active:1970s–2021
Past Member Of:Network Riddim Band

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]

Background and career

Born in 1954 as Roy Lewis in East Dry River, Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago, he began writing poetry in primary school, and went on to study at Queen's Royal College. He was influenced by Trinidad's 1970 Black Power movement to become conscious of his African identity,[5] and he would eventually change his name to Lutalo Masimba in 1982, in order to better reflect his heritage.[6] [7] He assumed the soubriquet "Brother Resistance" when he began performing and chanting his poetry at school. He went on to further studies at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, graduating with a B.Sc. degree in Social Sciences with History in 1980.[8]

Brother Resistance became, together with Brother Shortman, the lead singer of the Network Riddim Band, a Trinidadian ensemble, in 1979.[9] [10] They developed a hybrid of soca and rap that they called "rapso", a genre for which they credited Lancelot Layne as originator.[11]

The band was considered subversive by the authorities, and their rehearsal space and offices were destroyed by the police in June 1983. 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. 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. His best known song was 1987's "Ring de bell", in which he advocates symbolically ringing the bell for justice and freedom.[12] [13] [14]

In 1992, Brother Resistance was honoured with a national award, the Hummingbird Medal.

He appeared at New York's New Music Festival in 1992 and in 1993 at the International Dub Poetry Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

In 2002 he was nominated for a Cacique Award for his performance as Aldrick in Earl Lovelace's dramatization of The Dragon Can't Dance.

In 2017, Brother Resistance was inducted into the Queen's Royal College Hall of Honour for his contributions to art and culture in Trinidad.[15]

He was president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO).[16] [17]

He died aged 66 on 13 July 2021, at the West Shore Medical Private Hospital, Western Main Road, Cocorite, Trinidad and Tobago.[18] [19]

Solo discography

Albums

Singles

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Brother Resistance dies. Yvonne. Webb. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 14 July 2021. 17 July 2021.
  2. News: The final farewell. Daily Express. Michael. Mondezie. 2021-12-30. 2022-01-11.
  3. Web site: Biography: Brother Resistance & the Network Riddum Band. Harris. Craig. Allmusic. 22 April 2012.
  4. Web site: Brother Resistance's family clears the air on false rumours. 19 July 2021. www.izzso.com. 19 July 2021 . en.
  5. Web site: Brother Resistance's Black Power awakening. Michael. Mondezie. Sunday Express. Trinidad Express Newspapers. 22 February 2020. 27 March 2022.
  6. Web site: T&T cultural and Rapso artist Brother Resistance, has died. The Caribbean Camera. 23 July 2021. 27 March 2022.
  7. Web site: Final rites for Bro Resistance – 'A humble man who conquered the world'. Melissa. Doughty. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 27 July 2021. 27 March 2022.
  8. Web site: UWI bids farewell to Distinguished Alum and Rapso King Brother Resistance. Campus News. University of the West Indies. 14 July 2021. 27 March 2022.
  9. Thompson, Dave (2002), Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books,, pp. 42–43.
  10. Web site: Brother Resistance dies. Rhondor. Dowlat-Rostant. 14 July 2021. 14 July 2021. www.guardian.co.tt. en.
  11. Oumano, Elena (1999), "Resistance Exports Rapso to US, Europe", Billboard, 9 January 1999, p. 18. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  12. Web site: 'Ring de bell': Brother Resistance, who mainstreamed Trinidad & Tobago's rapso music, has died. Janine. Mendes-Franco. Global Voices. 14 July 2021. 27 March 2022.
  13. Web site: Brother Resistance – Ring The Bell. Discogs. 27 March 2022.
  14. Web site: Birdsong rings de bell for Brother Resistance!. Sunday Express. Trin idad Express Newspapers. 17 July 2021. 27 March 2022.
  15. Web site: Brother Resistance inducted into QRC Hall of Honour. The Loop. 10 September 2017. 27 March 2022.
  16. Web site: UWI, COTT, Birdsong pay tribute to Bro Resistance. Melissa. Doughty. 16 July 2021. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 27 March 2022.
  17. Web site: UWI-ROYTEC remembers the life and work of Lutalo Masimba, 'Bro Resistance'. ROYTEC. UWI School of Business and Applied Studies Limited (UWI-ROYTEC). 27 March 2022.
  18. Web site: Brother Resistance has died. 14 July 2021. Saturday Express. Trinidad Express Newspapers. Wayne. Bowman. 14 July 2021. en.
  19. Web site: Tributes flow in for Brother Resistance. Melissa. Doughty. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 15 July 2021. 27 March 2022.