Lord Blakie

Carlton Joseph (Known as Lord Blakie) was a Trinidadian Calypsonian and musician, regarded as one of the greatest Calypsonians of his era, along with Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchener and Lord Melody. He was born in Trinidad on November 3, 1932, and died on January 6, 2005.

Biography Blakie was born in Trinidad in 1932, and grew up in San Juan Trinidad which was a rough area known for “Badjohns”, this upbringing is what gave Blakie some of his song ideas about violence and Badjohn culture. His first song called “The Steelband Clash” came out in 1953 he started out his career as “Warlord” (sometimes “Warlord Blakie” and “D’Warlord”) He then changed his Calypso name to Lord Blakie (sometimes spelt as “Lord Blakey”). He won the Carnival Road March competition with “The Steelband Clash” in 1954, and he won it again with “Maria” in 1962. He was best remembered for his iconic laugh and humour which features in a lot of his songs, he also was known to have large bursts of energy and joy despite coming from a “Badjohn” environment. Lord Blakie was also the mentor and teacher of another Calypsonian/Soca musician called Black Stalin.

Blakie stayed as an icon well after his hay day, being a common name and performer in Trinidad into the 21st Century, and in 2024 his life was made into a play created by Dawad Philip.

Discography

Steelband Clash (1952) (Referring to sending Grenadian immigrants back to Grenada) Maria (1962) De Doctor Eh Dey (1964) The Riddle (1967) Soucouyant (1969) Chinese in the bus stand (1977)