Three-hour medley hailed the ‘Mighty’ calypso king

Seven days after the passing of Slinger Francisco, aka the king of calypso, diplomats, politicians, religious figures, colleagues, and family members doled out accolades extolling his contribution.

The week’s worth timeframe barely enabled enough space to contain salutations from dignitaries gathered inside a Queens Seventh Day Adventist church.

Lavished on the immigrant whose music impacted communities throughout the world, Francisco was regaled and commended during a three-hour memorial ceremony.

Speaker after speaker exhorted platitudes to the man referred to as “Birdie,” “doctor,” Chief Omowale of Ikoyi” “the Mighty Sparrow,” “Trinbagonian,” “Grenadian,” “father, uncle, and other associations relative to family ties.

An individual described the Caribbean creator as a “social commentator.” Another called his compositions “transformative.” But most repetitive were statements confirming a Far Rockaway beach baptism four years ago when the composer/singer allegedly accepted the Lord Jesus as his savior.

Numerous senior commissioners representing the denomination echoed the gesture and bold religious rite the accomplished calypsonian indulged.

It stormed on the last Sunday in September 2026 when the world-revered king of calypso slipped away at a Queens hospital.Predictions by weather forecasters blamed a Nor’easter for the flooding throughout the boroughs.

Winds and relentless rain attributed to the decimation of cars and other vehicles that day. Downed trees also added more devastations from the same phenomenon.

That more bad news would register on the calendar date was not imagined.

But that same day, Francisco’s daughter Karen posted an alert on social media stating; “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Trinidad & Tobago’s icon Slinger Francisco, known to the world as the Mighty Sparrow.”

“He was also a husband, father,” she said “grandfather, great grand father, life partner and friend.”

She added: “Although we are saddened, we are extremely saddened by his passing, we are comforted to know that before his transition, he was able to make his election sure by giving his heart to the Most High, Jesus Christ where he was baptized in the Seventh Day Adventist faith.”

The shared news spread like a wildfire. Phones rang from faraway places to nearby communities confirming the oft-rumored demise of the Caribbean legend.

“Remember when Sparrow showed up at JFK (Airport) with a sign saying Jean and Dinah?”

That’s the question San Fernando-based Trinidadian Dawad Philip asked yours truly. Philip was my former editor at the Daily Challenge newspaper.

He is also a poet, producer and author. It was he who conceived a marketing strategy to boost ticket sales to a 1996 production of Tony Hall’s critically acclaimed “Jean & Dinah…Speak Their Minds Publicly.”

Hall staged the play in the heart of Brooklyn and has since transitioned. However, many will recall the genius idea involving street theater, Caribbean actors, the pair collaborated with help from the calypso legend.

For a promotional, Philip devised a stunt with the Mighty Sparrow to dress as a limousine driver.

Already an attraction due to his status as the composer of the 1956 hit song naming the pair of women, the Mighty one agreed to the mini production.

In order to execute his role, he joined limousine and taxi drivers in a section reserved at JFK airport for welcoming residents.

Back then, it was common practice for passengers to be greeted by strangers carrying identification placards bearing their names.

Philip’s genius idea unfolded when on arrival from Trinidad and Tobago, actresses Penelope Spencer and Rhona Spencer presented themselves as the fictitious Jean and Dinah.

Not only did the thespians identify with the characters, they indulged onlookers with a skit from the play.

Imagine the spectacle inside the terminal when a cameo appearance of stars of the show lampooned characters with a comedic improvisational presentation?

As Philip directed, from the airport the trio stopped into bars, basements, and other hubs creating a real live video showcase that sold out opening night.

Needless to say, Sparrow enhanced a triumphant scheme to pull off a winning landing at the terminal.

One day after his transition, Philip reflected on the momentous occasion by calling this Insider from San Fernando, Trinidad. He paid tribute to the eight-time monarch by lavishing platitudes on the humility of a celebrity who executed his marketing ploy.

Philip also credited the Mighty Sparrow for his willingness to perform. Calls from Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and Europe confirmed the innovative act which added to Facebook postings as well as Instagram notes.

Many more tales exemplified the activist personality who was crowned more than Caribbean monarch.

The region has had two music royals: Jamaica’s Bob Marley, the king of reggae and Francisco Slinger, the Grenada-born, Trinidad & Tobago transplant, the king of calypso.

Unfortunately, Marley was deprived the privileges of his coronation when he died at age 36 in 1980. But the eastern Caribbean royal certainly relished majestic treatment throughout his reign until his farewell at age 91.

It rained again the first Sunday of October 2026.

In spite of inclement weather, representatives from Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, state and city officials braved the turbulence to shower tributes to the legend. A diplomat representing Trinidad and Tobago reported that the Mighty Sparrow will soon be honored by the republic with a state-assisted burial.

He has “left the stage,” another speaker said in hailing the king. “The Mighty Sparrow is gone but will never be forgotten.”

Latinos celebrate heritage and culture this month

Latinos from Spain to South and Central America have already claimed possession of monthlong salsa sessions, exhibitions, street dancing and parades.

Nationals of Panama even took ownership of an intersection in Brooklyn by renaming it Panama Way.

Along with Dominican Republic-born borough president Antonio Reynoso, and the first Latino to be NY District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez, along President Jose Raul Mulino of Panama celebrated with diasporans staking claim to the thoroughfare.

Now co-named Little Panama Way, the intersection of Bergen St and Franklin Ave., an unveiling ceremony awakened the Brooklyn community to a new signpost. From that same location, they plan to kick-off the biggest parade held outside of the homeland on Oct. 10.

There’s no stopping Latino revellers from the isthmus because the very next day many will join thousands of similar Spanish-language communicators in Manhattan for an all-day showcase of Latin roots during the annual Hispanic Heritage Month salute.

For sure culinary delicacies will be abundant, particularly in Brooklyn, where Caribbean cultures collide in preparing platinos, rice and beans, and chicken.

It’s no secret immigrants from many English-speaking countries helped to build the Panama Canal.

Therefore a culture clash will offer a variety of tasty treats.

All that and more will be expected when their red, white and blue star spangled banner dominate the avenues near Eastern Parkway and the Brooklyn Museum.

By the way, deejays and marching bands are part of the spectacle.

And with two stages erected to provide viewing from a higher level, the huge construction at Classon Ave. is expected to hold audiences until dark.

Jamaicans mourn the Guv’nor Lt. Stitchie

The Caribbean suffered two losses one day apart with the passing of fast-talking deejay and Christian-convert Cleve Laing. Acclaimed Lt. Stitchie, the Guv’nor and monikers proclaiming his rule of the dancehall circuit, he abruptly switched genres afterwards, choosing gospel his preference.

He died Sept. 28 after suffering extended hemorrhaging from a stroke. He was the first dancehall artist to be signed to a major record deal. At Atlantic Records he claimed international fame, releasing “Wear Yu Size” and other comedic melodies. Throughout his musical career, he emerged as a constant performer at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, Jamaica, as well as annual stagings of JapanSplash in Asia. Since converting to Christian beliefs the former Spanish Town educator and dancehall deejay performed regularly at Fun in the Son, a kind of religious retreat which featured other former secular artists such as Papa San, Junior Tucker, Chevelle Franklyn, and others.

Jamaicans ready to welcome Cardi B to Kingston

Ready or not, Cardi B is going to Jamaica.

She plans to headline a showcase featuring BZR WKND, Keyshia Cole, Ding Dong, and others at the National Stadium in Kingston.

On a bill slated for the capital city on Oct. 18, a four-hour Sunday service hosted by dancehall queen Spice is expected to create a roadblock with traffic coming and going in support of the hip-hop collaboration.

Catch you On the Inside!