King Swallow
Honoured for 50 years of calypso
By Vanroy Burnes - Friday, May 13th, 2011.
Veteran calypsonian Rupert “King Swallow” Philo has been recognised for contributing nearly 50 years to the soca and calypso art form.
King Swallow, also called the Dean of Calypso, received the honour during a dinner and award ceremony organised by the National Festivals Office to mark the close of a 10-week workshop for calypso adjudicators.
Assistant Manager of the National Festivals Office Patricia Louisa Tully gave an overview of King Swallow’s career, which began with his first outing on the Carnival stage in 1962. He placed second runner-up. Since then, he has won the monarch crown on four occasions and the Road March title five times.
During the past 50 years the vibrant, fiery and pulsating rhythms of his soca hits have created frenzy wherever and whenever he performs. This has in some measure overshadowed his mastery of political and social commentary as evidenced by classics such as Dawn of a New Day; One Hope, One Love, One Destiny; Rise Antigua Rise; and Man to Man.
But add to the mix hits that mesmerised the crowds like Don’t Stop the Party, Party in Space, Subway Jam, Satan Coming Down and Soca Kingdom to complete the definition of a master at work.
To date, King Swallow has reigned as the Caribbean Calypso King, and is the recipient of three Sunshine Awards. He has also received national honours in Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. Here at home, he has been awarded Grand Cross of the Most Princely Heritage.
King Swallow still holds the distinction of being the first calypsonian to grace the stage at Radio City Music Hall. King Swallow also established and managed the oldest calypso tent, the Calypso Pepper Pot dubbed the University of Calypso.
The fierce rivalry between King Swallow and his long-standing rival Sir McClean “King Short Shirt” Emanuel contributed to some of the highest attendance at Calypso Monarch shows.
At the ceremony, the judges who attended the workshop also honoured King Swallow who was an observer during the 10-week session.
Spotlight – Calypso Icon, Swallow He has netted four Calypso Monarch crowns – 1973, 1977, 1978, 1985 – and five Road March wins – ’72, ’73, ’75, ’83, ’84. But his legend is greater than the number of crowns thanks to enduring musical tracks.
King Swallow, also called the Dean of Calypso, received the honour during a dinner and award ceremony organised by the National Festivals Office to mark the close of a 10-week workshop for calypso adjudicators.
Assistant Manager of the National Festivals Office Patricia Louisa Tully gave an overview of King Swallow’s career, which began with his first outing on the Carnival stage in 1962. He placed second runner-up. Since then, he has won the monarch crown on four occasions and the Road March title five times.
During the past 50 years the vibrant, fiery and pulsating rhythms of his soca hits have created frenzy wherever and whenever he performs. This has in some measure overshadowed his mastery of political and social commentary as evidenced by classics such as Dawn of a New Day; One Hope, One Love, One Destiny; Rise Antigua Rise; and Man to Man.
But add to the mix hits that mesmerised the crowds like Don’t Stop the Party, Party in Space, Subway Jam, Satan Coming Down and Soca Kingdom to complete the definition of a master at work.
To date, King Swallow has reigned as the Caribbean Calypso King, and is the recipient of three Sunshine Awards. He has also received national honours in Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. Here at home, he has been awarded Grand Cross of the Most Princely Heritage.
King Swallow still holds the distinction of being the first calypsonian to grace the stage at Radio City Music Hall. King Swallow also established and managed the oldest calypso tent, the Calypso Pepper Pot dubbed the University of Calypso.
The fierce rivalry between King Swallow and his long-standing rival Sir McClean “King Short Shirt” Emanuel contributed to some of the highest attendance at Calypso Monarch shows.
At the ceremony, the judges who attended the workshop also honoured King Swallow who was an observer during the 10-week session.
Spotlight – Calypso Icon, Swallow He has netted four Calypso Monarch crowns – 1973, 1977, 1978, 1985 – and five Road March wins – ’72, ’73, ’75, ’83, ’84. But his legend is greater than the number of crowns thanks to enduring musical tracks.
