The Mighty Duke
Encyclopedia
Kelvin Pope, better known as The Mighty Duke (1932 – January 14, 2009) was a Trinidad
ian calypso
nian. He was born in Point Fortin
.
Pope left a career working at Shell Oil to perform calypso music. In the 1950s, he played locally in his hometown, then began playing in San Fernando
at the Southern Brigade Calypso Tent. In 1964 he relocated to Port of Spain
and performed at the Original Young Brigade.
He won the National Calypso Monarch title for four years straight (1968-71), and was noted for exploring ideas such as black consciousness and global politics in his lyrics. Lord Nelson was one of many for whom he composed music. In 1987, his "Thunder" was awarded the National Road March prize.
Pope died on January 14, 2009 at 1:05 pm in Saint Clair, Trinidad and Tobago of myelofibrosis
, which he had been battling for five years.
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
ian calypso
Calypso music
Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago from African and European roots. The roots of the genre lay in the arrival of enslaved Africans, who, not being allowed to speak with each other, communicated through song...
nian. He was born in Point Fortin
Point Fortin
Point Fortin, the smallest Borough in Trinidad and Tobago, is located in southwestern Trinidad, about southwest of San Fernando. After the discovery of petroleum in the area in 1906 the town grew into a major oil-producing centre. The town grew with the oil industry between the 1940s and 1980s,...
.
Pope left a career working at Shell Oil to perform calypso music. In the 1950s, he played locally in his hometown, then began playing in San Fernando
San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
The City of San Fernando with a population of 55,419 according to the 2000 census, is the larger of Trinidad and Tobago's two cities and the second largest municipality after Chaguanas. It occupies 18 km² and is located in the southwestern part of the island of Trinidad...
at the Southern Brigade Calypso Tent. In 1964 he relocated to Port of Spain
Port of Spain
Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
and performed at the Original Young Brigade.
He won the National Calypso Monarch title for four years straight (1968-71), and was noted for exploring ideas such as black consciousness and global politics in his lyrics. Lord Nelson was one of many for whom he composed music. In 1987, his "Thunder" was awarded the National Road March prize.
Pope died on January 14, 2009 at 1:05 pm in Saint Clair, Trinidad and Tobago of myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis, also known as myeloid metaplasia, chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, osteomyelofibrosis and primary myelofibrosis is a disorder of the bone marrow...
, which he had been battling for five years.