The only calypsonian to win the monarch title for four consecutive years, the Mighty Duke, has died. He was 77. Born Kelvin Pope in St Vincent, he migrated to Trinidad and spent his youth in Point Fortin.
Duke won the calypso monarch title four years in a row—from 1968 to 1971. He died just after 1 pm today at the Ellerslie Park Private Hospital where he was being treated for a disease that prevented his body from producing blood cells. Hollis Liverpool, better known as Chalkdust, was at his side and said a prayer during Duke’s final moments.