Legendary Calypso Queen Denise Plummer Dies After Cancer Battle

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Former calypsonian and gospel signer Denise Plummer died on Sunday following a fight with cancer.

According to Guardian media, her death was confirmed by a close family member.

The news of her passing follows an incident last month in which the Trinidad Express wrongly published her death in an online post.

The newspaper later apologized for the error after family members confirmed that she was still alive.

Plummer made her debut in 1986 at Calypso Fiesta, the National Calypso Monarch semi-finals , but on that day, the audience who disapproved of the mixed race singer threw oranges and rolls of toilet paper at her, but instead, it was reported that she picked up the toilet paper and waved it at the audience.

Plummer was later enlisted by Phase II Pan Groove steelband arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe in 1___ started making a name for herself as a calypsonian. In 1988, with yet another Len “Boogsie” Sharpe pan tune, “Woman Is Boss” she arrived at the National Calypso Monarch finals and also won the Calypso Queen crown.

She then continued to hold onto the Calypso Queen crown a total of six times and came in second place  three times.

In 2002 and 2003, she released “Fire” and “Tempo” respectively. 

In 2001, the Calypso Monarch title was won with the songs “Heroes” and “Nah leaving”. 

Plummer later left the genre of calypso and moved on to the genre of gospel.

She was 69 years old at the time of her death.