Singing Sandra

Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington) (December 10, 1957 – January 28, 2021) was a Trinidadian calypsonian known for her vocal performances. She won both the National Calypso Queen and Calypso Monarch competitions, most well known in the Soca music scene.

Personal life Sandra Des Vignes-Millington was born on December 10, 1957, in the East Dry River, Port of Spain, Trinidad. She was raised in Morvant, Trinidad and Tobago and grew up as an only child with her mother. She never met her father. At fifteen, Sandra was baptized into a Spiritual Baptist church faith and later began practicing Orisha.

From an early age, she sang and acted in small productions.

Career In 1984, Sandra was approached by calypsonian Dr. Zhivago to perform two of his songs. The following year, she joined the Mighty Sparrow's Youth Brigade tent during carnival. There, in 1987, she earned the titles of National Calypso Queen The song reflected a moral stance against male chauvinism in the workplace.

She won the Carifesta Monarch and 'Calypso Queen of the World' titles in 1992, and performed at the 1992 Reggae Sunsplash festival.

Later, Sandra formed the United Sisters group with Lady B, Tigress, and Marvelous Marva. She continued to perform as a solo artist,

In 1999, Sandra became the second woman to win the Calypso Monarch competition (after Calypso Rose in 1978) at Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival. Two of her songs, 'Song for Healing' and 'Voices from the Ghetto', addressed the struggles of marginalized communities. She secured third place in 2000 and fifth place in 2001.

In 2003, she won the title for the second time, becoming the first woman to achieve two Calypso Monarch victories.

Legacy

Through her music, which addressed social, racial, and feminist themes, in a notably male-dominated genre,