00:00A legend, an icon, a trailblazer. These are just some of the words used to describe Slinger
00:06Francisco, better known as the mighty Sparrow. Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin signed the
00:12condolence book and reflected on the legacy of the Calypso King. I think when New York Times
00:17that article tightened and we have lost, I think we lost a great icon. The death of Sparrow,
00:28as you can see, the country is basically mourning. You would have seen sentiments throughout
00:32every social media platforms, average conversations along the street. We have lost, we will call
00:39him our son, we know we share him with Grenada, but it's a tremendous loss. Napa chairman Kenny
00:44Phillips also paid tribute, describing Sparrow as the greatest and a true trailblazer who
00:50opened doors for the artists who followed. The battles he fought with country club and
00:56when Calypso was getting no money, when the Carnival Queen was getting more money than the Calypso
01:01King, you know, he fought a battle and won. He symbolized the struggle and coming out on
01:09top. And at the times of his struggle, he was just, he started as a teenager, he was just
01:16about 20 years old when he took on the mites of the high and mighty and said this is not
01:21right,
01:22and I'm going to do my own thing. And they say he was an upstart.
01:25The minister also issued a call to the nation to come and sign the condolence book, leaving
01:30a message of love, comfort and tribute to the Calypso King.
01:34So, Children of Tobago, this is our son. This is basically someone that would have rewrite
01:40how we treat with regards to Calypso. And as I said in parliament, how Calypsoians earn.
01:46We have an opportunity to express our love and our appreciation for what he did for the art
01:52form. And that is basically, I did take more than five seconds in signing my signature.
01:59Give or take, right? But I basically said to me, the moment was so surreal that I was honored
02:06that I had the opportunity to say thank you for what you did for the quality opportunity.
02:11And when asked to pick their favorites from the birdie, Benjamin knows her favorites.
02:15But for Phillips, it's a choice he just could not make.
02:18I would say, when it comes to Sparrow, and that Ude, and seeing the character that could
02:28never stand still on a stage, and the performance. So I would say, because to me that play is back,
02:35and it had a way that he would do that, that jungle call. You know what I mean, Che?
02:40Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, I would go with Ude.
02:42I know all the songs. It's hard. Real, real hard. I mean, the medalist was nice because
02:48he redid the old songs and brought them into the new. And if you listen to them now,
02:54they're still sung fresh.
02:57Phillips says that youngsters must learn about Sparrow's music, and we must ensure that his
03:02music remains timeless.
03:04Dominic Ramroop, TV6 News.
