The Mighty Sparrow Is 90

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BY NAN ET Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. July 9, 2025: Calypso’s crown jewel, The Mighty Sparrow, turns 90 today, and many Caribbean nationals around the world are pausing to honor the man who transformed a regional tradition into a global force.

Trinidadian Calypso monarch the Mighty Sparrow, performing at the Lincoln Center Out of Doors ‘Caribbean Cultural Center: 30 Years of Carnival’ concert in Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, New York, New York, on August 13, 2006. He turned 90 on July 9, 2025. (Photo by Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images)

Born Slinger Francisco in Grand Roy, Grenada, on July 9, 1935, and raised in Trinidad from the age of one, the man known to millions as The Mighty Sparrow has defined Caribbean music, commentary, and charisma for more than seven decades. His title as the “Calypso King of the World” isn’t just honorary – it’s earned.

With unmatched lyrical sharpness, vocal prowess, and cultural impact, Sparrow’s music captured the Caribbean’s heartbeat through Carnival hits, political critiques, and unapologetically bold storytelling. Today, he stands among the rare few whose voices have shaped not just songs, but national consciousness.

“No one has documented the Caribbean condition with as much wit, skill, and courage as Sparrow,” said fellow calypsonian and historian Chalkdust (Dr. Hollis Liverpool). “His calypsoes are historical records.”

The Voice of a Region

FLASHBACK – Calypso singer and songwriter Mighty Sparrow at London Airport, March 15th 1962. (Photo by George Stroud/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Sparrow’s breakout came in 1956, when his legendary hit “Jean and Dinah” won him the Calypso Monarch crown and instantly rewrote the genre’s rulebook. From there, his rise was meteoric. He headlined calypso tents, dropped album after album, and wrote hundreds of songs that blended humor with razor-sharp political and social critique.

His discography includes classics like “Congo Man,” “Melda,” “Sparrow Dead,” “Slave,” and “Education” – tracks that tackled everything from colonialism to morality, with a wit and boldness that became Sparrow’s calling card.

Tributes from Across the Diaspora

On his 90th birthday, tributes are pouring in from around the globe – from fellow artists to heads of state to fans who grew up dancing to his music.

David Rudder called him “the reason many of us picked up a microphone.”
Calypso Rose praised him as “a brother in music” who pushed her to be better.
Machel Montano wrote: “We stand on Sparrow’s shoulders… His music is forever.”

Despite health challenges and no longer performing, Sparrow’s spirit remains strong. His last major live performance, “Live at 85!” at Joe’s Pub in New York, was a sold-out celebration of legacy. These days, he splits his time between New York and Trinidad, still sharp in interviews and full of stories from the golden era of calypso.

A Global Calypso Ambassador

Sparrow’s contributions stretch far beyond music. He has been a vocal champion of Caribbean unity, Black pride, and working-class struggles—often when it was risky to do so. He’s received countless awards, including the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) and the Chaconia Gold Medal, as well as international honors from the U.K. and Caribbean diaspora groups.

His influence extends across generations of artists—from soca to reggae to hip hop—who cite his lyrical storytelling and stage command as foundational.

The Bird Still Flies

As he turns 90, The Mighty Sparrow may no longer rule the stage, but his legacy is alive and roaring in the DNA of Caribbean culture. His voice, wit, and vision continue to shape how the world hears, understands, and dances to the Caribbean.

And as the calypso tents prepare for next Carnival season, his music will surely echo – louder than ever. Happy 90th to the Birdie. Long live the King.

From Abuja To Basseterre: How Prime Minister Terrance Drew and Aisha Maina Are Championing A New Africa–Caribbean Alliance

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News Americas, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, July 9, 2025: Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, is being recognised as one of the most forward-looking leaders working to deepen economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties between Africa and the Caribbean. His recent engagements reflect a serious commitment to long-term cooperation between the two regions.

FLASHBACK – Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, addressing national delegations during the First Part of the High-Level Segment for Heads of States and Governments during the COP28, UN Climate Change Conference, held by UNFCCC in Dubai Exhibition Center, United Arab Emirates on December 2, 2023. COP28, running from November 29 to December 12 focuses on how particular nations managed realization of its climate goals. The Conference in Dubai focuses also on the most vulnerable communities and Loss and Damage Fund. (Photo by Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“Today, the Caribbean is no longer a distant observer to Africa’s renaissance. We have become an active partner as the sixth region of the African Union,” said Dr. Drew during a visit to Abuja, Nigeria, last month.. That statement has since resonated across capitals on both sides of the Atlantic.

That momentum is exemplified by Dr. Drew’s instrumental role in a landmark initiative spearheaded by Nigerian business leader and economic strategist Aisha Maina, Managing Director of Aquarian Consult.

In March 2025, Dr. Drew travelled to Abuja at Maina’s invitation to attend the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS 25), a bold private-sector-led convening aimed at creating lasting Afro-Caribbean economic frameworks.

“His Excellency, Honourable Terrance Drew, took the chance, planted the seed, and boarded the flight after a series of strategic conversations with a Nigerian woman who said, ‘Come to Nigeria,’ and he did,” said Aisha Maina. “He didn’t come alone. He came with his team and his full commitment.”

Maina also acknowledged Honourable Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, for his role in reinforcing the partnership. “There cannot be a great leader without a great team. Honourable Duggins has stood out for his belief in the vision, his clear understanding of our goals, and his deep respect for the mission.”

Building on the momentum of the Abuja summit, Aisha Maina personally funded and led a 120-person Nigerian delegation to St. Kitts and Nevis in June 2025. This was the largest African delegation ever to visit the island. Arriving via a chartered Air Peace flight, the group included business leaders, creatives, policymakers, cultural advocates, and youth voices. Their objective was clear: to create new pathways in trade, tourism, investment, education, and cultural connection.
Dr. Drew and his cabinet played a central role in hosting and facilitating the week-long exchange, which included bilateral forums, cultural showcases, and youth engagement sessions, setting a new benchmark for South-South collaboration.

“Prime Minister Drew’s leadership reflects a clear understanding that this is not just about reconnection but about redefinition,” said Maina. “It is about how we co-create value and open new frontiers across sectors for people on both sides.”

Looking ahead, Aquarian Consult and its partners are working on several follow-up initiatives, including:

• The launch of an Afri-Caribbean Youth Fellowship Programme
• A series of Diaspora Policy Labs for shared policymaking and learning
• A second summit to be hosted in the Caribbean in 2026
• Broader platforms for trade, education, and creative industry exchange

This partnership is being built through purposeful action and shared values. The foundations are strong because the people leading it, including Prime Minister Drew and Aisha Maina, are not simply visiting each other’s countries. They are making long-term investments in trust, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Media Enquiries:
info@sbbmedia.com
www.aquarianconsult.com

Hess Withdraws From Suriname Offshore Oil Block, Ending Exploration Effort

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By News Americas Business Editor

News Americas, PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Weds. July 9, 2025: The American energy company Hess Corporation has quietly ended its pursuit of oil exploration in Block 59, a deepwater offshore area in Suriname, after failing to secure drilling partners and determining the project carried excessive risk.

The withdrawal was confirmed by Suriname’s state-owned oil firm, Staatsolie, which said Hess had fulfilled its minimum exploration requirements and opted not to advance to the next phase of its contract. The move effectively relinquishes Block 59, a high-potential but technically challenging zone spanning 11,480 square kilometers in ultra-deep waters.

“Hess has fulfilled its minimum work obligations and decided not to proceed to the next phase of the exploration period ending July 8, 2025,” Staatsolie said in a statement. The block will now be reopened for bidding by new companies.

The retreat comes after ExxonMobil and Equinor (formerly Statoil), original partners in the 2017 Production Sharing Contract, transferred their stakes to Hess last year—leaving the U.S. firm as the sole stakeholder in Block 59.

Despite collecting 6,000 kilometers of 2D seismic data and another 9,000 square kilometers of 3D data, the partners deemed the prospect of drilling an exploration well too risky—a sobering reminder of the technical and financial challenges facing frontier oil plays.

Efforts by Hess to attract new partners throughout the past year were unsuccessful, further underscoring industry caution about offshore Suriname’s unexplored zones.

While the relinquishment marks a setback in Suriname’s ambition to become a major offshore oil player—especially following discoveries in adjacent Guyanese waters – Hess continues to maintain a stake in Block 42, which lies immediately to the south of Block 59.

Staatsolie noted that voluntary withdrawals are common in the energy sector and reflect the exploratory nature of early-stage offshore licensing.

The news adds a sobering note to Suriname’s recent oil narrative, as industry eyes now turn to the country’s more promising southern blocks—and whether next-generation seismic analysis or strategic partnerships will reignite exploration activity.

Unreleased John Holt Track “We Nah Leave” Drops July 11

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. July 9, 2025: To celebrate what would have been Jamaican reggae legend John Holt’s 78th birthday, VP Records’ classic imprint 17 North Parade is giving fans a gift: an unreleased, Henry “Junjo” Lawes-produced track titled “We Nah Leave.” And yes—you can hear it here first.

John Holt performing in the UK. (Photo by James Emmett/Redferns)

Set to drop July 11, 2025, the heavyweight roots anthem was originally recorded in 1981 and is now being released in full high-definition glory. The track has been lifted direct from the original Reel To Reel 1/4” 15 IPS master tape—delivered to Greensleeves Records more than four decades ago but never officially put into production. Mastering engineer Billy Polo has reworked the track, ensuring it now hits as hard and clear as it was meant to.

Though versions of the song previously circulated on Randy’s Jah Guidance label in Jamaica and New York—and even under the title “Not Leaving” on Holt’s own imprint—this marks the first-ever official digital release of the original mix, complete with instrumental and extended versions available across all major platforms.

“We Nah Leave” was crafted by the same sonic dream team that built “Police In Helicopter,” one of reggae’s most iconic protest tracks. Backing Holt is the legendary Roots Radics band, captured in full force at Channel One Studios in Western Kingston. With Style Scott’s militant drums and Flabba Holt’s heavy, hypnotic bass, the track is pure rebel soul—a true sufferah’s anthem for those who know the weight of struggle and the fire of resistance.

And Holt’s vocal? Vintage and defiant – like a man refusing to be moved.

John Kenneth Holt, OD, was a legendary Jamaican reggae singer who rose to prominence as a member of The Paragons before launching a successful solo career that helped shape the sound of lovers rock and roots reggae.

Born in the Greenwich Farm district of Kingston, Jamaica, Holt was immersed in music from an early age. His mother, Amy, worked as a nurse, while young John quickly showed signs of remarkable vocal talent. By the age of 12, he had become a familiar face on the island’s talent show circuit, regularly competing in the popular Vere Johns Opportunity Hour contests held at local theatres. Holt won 28 competitions, many of which were broadcast live on Radio Jamaica, setting the stage for a career that would span more than five decades. Holt died in October 2014. He was just 67.

“We Nah Leave” drops July 11 on all digital platforms via VP Records. LISTEN TO IT HERE FIRST