Legendary calypsonian Slinger Francisco, better known as the Mighty Sparrow, has died at the age of 91.

His family said the Grenada-born, Trinidad-raised performer died peacefully in New York on Sunday following a brief illness, surrounded by loved ones.

Image: Tim Shaffer

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso icon, Slinger Francisco, known to the world as ‘The Mighty Sparrow’,” the family said in a statement.

Veteran Jamaican dancehall and gospel reggae artiste Lieutenant Stitchie has died at age 60 after a career spanning more than four decades.

Stitchie, whose given name was Cleveland “Cleve” Laing, died at a hospital in Kingston on Monday, one day before his 61st birthday. He had been ailing since suffering a debilitating stroke in September 2024 and had been receiving care at a medical facility.

The Spanish Town, St Catherine, native leaves behind a musical legacy that took him from the classroom and competitive sound system circuit to the international stage and, later, Christian ministry.