Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) president Ainsley King believes late soca singer Dexter “Blaxx” Stewart deserves a state funeral.
“Because I know his work is not simple, you talking about real, real depths of hard work and marketing and selling the culture, he did well,” King said yesterday.
Blaxx died on Monday from COVID-19-related issues after being hospitalised at the Arima Hospital with the disease on March 4.
Speaking to Guardian Media at the National Carnival Commission (NCC) office in St Clair yesterday, King said TUCO had made no decision yet on how they will honour him but noted that to do so, a general council meeting will have to be held.
“As popular as somebody is, you have to wait on the family,” he said.
But King said the Siparia native will always be remembered for all the work he did for the artform and others in the industry.
“We love you and we are very grateful,” he said.
The TUCO president said he was not surprised when he heard of Blaxx’s death because of his illnesses. He said he saw many artists die in a similar manner.
“It has been a normal thing for me around artistes. Blaxx reminded me of Shadow, when Shadow meet to the point where he was sick I spent a lot of time with him… Shadow meet to the point where he was very weak and when I look at Blaxx you saw that weakness,” he explained.
Blaxx had issues with his heart, lungs and kidneys. On March 4 he was hospitalised at the Arima Hospital after he tested positive for COVID-19.
King pleaded with artistes to take care of their health, even as the industry encourages a certain lifestyle.
“We know what the job is and how easy it is to cross the line… people need to have you around,” he said.
King said he remembered Blaxx as a serious man with a strong sense of humour.
Speaking via telephone, Blaxx and D’All Stars managers Richard Gordon, Giselle Gellineau-Penrose and the Hulk singer’s son Mikello Stewart agreed that he deserves a state sendoff. But Gordon said it may not be the best way to honour his legacy.
“When it’s a state funeral, as opposed to the family burying him, you can dictate what you doing, how long you doing it for, who performing, who sitting where…they will guide you because they will take up all the expenses,” Gordon said.
They confirmed that they were awaiting the arrival of Blaxx’s sister from the United States.
His son Mikello said his father’s death had left him broken, adding that he had hoped the last time they had spoken would not have been their final conversation.
“Right now I mash-up, I am not coping good at all,” Mikello said.
This was a mutual feeling by those close to Blaxx and even those connected through his music, as condolences and memories for the Leh go singer continued to pour in on social media yesterday.
“I rell fighting tears dread. Blaxx always had encouragement for the youngsters who were doing their thing,” Derron tweeted.
“I sure Blaxx didn’t even know he was this loved by many,” Ajala wrote
Gordon and Gellineau-Penrose said they are currently planning a wake for Blaxx for later this week and the details will be finalised soon.
“We want to send him off. Knowing that you can’t speak with him again, being busy is what taking us through this time,” Gordon said.