Brother Resistance has passed

Lutalo 'Brother Resistance' Masimba

Trinidad and Tobago has lost yet another cultural icon. Rapso pioneer Lutalo “Brother Resistance” Masimba died shortly after 1AM on July 13, 2021 at West Shore Medical Private Hospital, Cocorite. He was 67 years old.

To the family, friends and colleagues who mourn the loss of our dear friend Brother Resistance, we at TriniView.com wish to express our sincerest condolences.

We have known Brother Resistance for over a decade and have worked closely with him through Trinbago Unified Calypso Organisation (TUCO) of which he was president.

He will be remembered for indisputable commitment to the artform and for his social commentary through Rapso.

Below is a statement from TUCO on his passing:

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.

May he rest in peace.

With deepest sympathy,

TriniView.com staff.

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