The Facebook page of The Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago announced the passing (on October 20, 2026) of Emrold Anthony Phillip, better known as Brother Valentino, a highly esteemed veteran calypsonian.

Emrold Anthony Phillip, better known as Brother Valentino, was a veteran calypsonian known for his social commentary and forthright compositions addressing the concerns of ordinary people.

Born in Grenada on 7 July 1941, he came to Trinidad at the age of five and began performing in calypso tents in the early 1960s. Over the decades that followed, he built a reputation as a calypsonian unafraid to use his music to question, challenge and comment on the world around him, earning the title, “The People’s Calypsonian.”  His music gained particular resonance during the social and political changes of the 1970s. Songs such as Stay Up Zimbabwe, Ah Wo (Brand New Revolution), Life Is a Stage, Barking Dogs and Dis Place Nice became defining works in his repertoire.

In 2012, Brother Valentino was conferred with the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) for his contributions to Trinidad and Tobago in the sphere of culture.

Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, extends sincere condolences to his family, friends and fellow calypsonians, and joins the nation in honouring his contribution to the cultural heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.

Read the original post at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1562818699212600&set=a.248721570622326&type=3&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=zBFZVxxrYqPlCnej&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F19ftgm4BCF%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#

Also see https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/brother-valentino-peoples-calypsonian-dies-at-85-6.2.2691618.c57d9576a8 and https://newsday.co.tt/2022/03/05/valentino-in-live-concert/