Superior off to US for Obama’s swearing-in

Veteran calypsonian Brother Superior (Andrew Marcano) has left for Washington DC to attend, as a special guest, the second inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States on Monday. “This is a very special honour for me as an individual, and the calypso art form in general,” he said. “Every calypsonian in Trinidad and Tobago should feel proud to know that one of their own has been invited to attend and represent them at such a grand event.”

In 2011 Superior composed Black Coffee In The White House, a calypso applauding the elevation of the first black person to the office of President of the United States. Interestingly, a line in the chorus of the song goes: “I cannot wait to make the trip, To sit in the Oval Office and take a sip.”

Mandated by the US constitution, all presidents begin their new term on January 20 at noon (EST). Because January 20 falls on a Sunday, two ceremonies, one private and one public, have been scheduled. Chief Justice John Roberts has been named to administer the oath to the president and Justice Sonia Sotomayor to administer the oath to the vice president on both days.

Superior returns from Washington next Wednesday.