Brother Resistance

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]

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

Career

Born in East Dry River, 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. 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.


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