Brother Resistance

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Brother Resistance
Birth nameRoy Lewis
Also known asLutalo Makossa Masimba[1]
Born1954
OriginTrinidad & Tobago
Died13 July 2021(2021-07-13) (aged 66–67)
Port of Spain
GenresRapso, rhythm poetry
Occupation(s)Musician, Rhythm Poet, Performer
Years active1970s–2021
Associated actsNetwork Riddim Band
Websitewww.brotherresistance.com

Roy Lewis (1954 – 13 July 2021), also known as Lutalo Masimba[2] 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.[3]

Career[]

Born in , Trinidad in 1954, Brother Resistance became, together with Brother Shortman, the lead singer of the Network Riddim Band, a Trinidadian ensemble, in 1979.[4][5] They developed a hybrid of soca and rap that they called "rapso", a genre for which they credited Lancelot Layne as originator.[4][6]

The band was considered subversive by the authorities, and their rehearsal space and offices were destroyed by the police in June 1983.[4] 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.[4] 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.[4]

He appeared at New York's New Music Festival in 1992 and in 1993 at the International Dub Poetry Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[4]

Brother Resistance died on 13 July 2021 at the WestShore Medical Private Hospital, Cocorite, Trinidad & Tobago.[7]

Solo discography[]

Albums[]

  • Touch De Earth with Rapso (1991)
  • Heart of the Rapso Nation (1992)
  • De Power of Resistance (1996), Rituals
  • Let Us Rejoice (2001)
  • When De Riddum Explode (2001)

Singles[]

  • "Tonite Is De Nite" (1987), Riddum Distribution Network
  • "Jah Never Fail Me" (2001), Blue Flame

References[]

  1. ^ Webb, Yvonne (14 July 2021). "Brother Resistance dies". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  2. ^ Harris, Craig. "Biography: Brother Resistance & the Network Riddum Band". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  3. ^ "Brother Resistance's family clears the air on false rumours". www.izzso.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Thompson, Dave (2002), Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6, pp. 42–43.
  5. ^ "Brother Resistance dies". www.guardian.co.tt. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  6. ^ Oumano, Elena (1999), "Resistance Exports Rapso to US, Europe", Billboard, 9 January 1999, p. 18. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  7. ^ Bowman, wayne (14 July 2021). "Brother Resistance has died". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2021.

External links[]


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