Brother Resistance
Roy Lewis aka Lutalo Masimba,[1] better known as Brother Resistance, is a rhythm poet and musician from Trinidad and Tobago.
Brother Resistance | |
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Birth name | Roy Lewis |
Also known as | Lutalo Masimba |
Origin | Trinidad |
Genres | Rapso, rhythm poetry |
Years active | 1970s–present |
Associated acts | Network Riddim Band |
Website | www |
Career
Born in East Dry River, Trinidad, Brother Resistance became, together with Brother Shortman, the lead singer of the Network Riddim Band, a Trinidadian ensemble, in 1979.[2] They developed a hybrid of soca and rap that they called "rapso", a genre for which they credited Lancelot Layne as originator.[2][3]
The band was considered subversive by the authorities, and their rehearsal space and offices were destroyed by the police in June 1983.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2]
He appeared at New York's New Music Festival in 1992 and in 1993 at the International Dub Poetry Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[2]
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
- Harris, Craig. "Biography: Brother Resistance & the Network Riddum Band". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
- Thompson, Dave (2002), Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6, pp. 42–43.
- Oumano, Elena (1999), "Resistance Exports Rapso to US, Europe", Billboard, 9 January 1999, p. 18. Retrieved 29 September 2013.