Soca star Dexter Stewart, better known as “Blaxx,” died at hospital Monday after contracting the COVID-19, but although he was famous to many, he is still a stranger to some.
Blaxx, whose real name is Dexter Stewart, was from Trinidad and Tobago, and he is said to be one of “the most-loved artists” to emerge in Trinidad and Tobago.
His father was a musician and his mom was a singer, and it was she who wrote his first calypso.
His first big soca song, Dutty, was released in 2007 but he was always striving to reach for the Soca Monarch award. Although he never earned the first-place spot, Blaxx never stopped trying.
Blaxx’s longtime friend Giselle Gellineau-Penrose commented on the artiste’s life saying, “He will die for soca. Blaxx will go into arguments with people regarding soca. If he find yuh say something off about his culture, he would get very upset; fuss he had a passion for soca. He has done his due to Trinidad and Tobago, in terms of putting Trinidad on the world map.”
Blaxx’s success didn’t come until later in life when Kurt Allen from the Roy Cape All Stars asked if he wanted to join them.
He said it wasn’t until he joined Roy Cape that he started seeing success as an artist, but told The Guardian, “I have never been rich. I used to play music and basketball in the same slippers. Now I am doing a little better.
Fellow soca artist Destra Garcia also recalled “sharing so many memorable experiences together.”
Blaxx was mentored by well-known local artists including Garcia, Ronnie McIntosh, Esther Dyer, and Olatunji Yearwood.
As his music took off, he paid it forward by giving a platform for younger, up-and-coming acts like Voice, Erphaan Alves, Sekon Sta (Nesta Boxhill), Ricardo Drue, Teddyson John, and Chingee (Shaquille Mark).
D’All Starz of which he was the lead singer issued a statement saying his family, along with the management and members of the band D’All Starz, regretted having to announce his untimely passing.
“May his voice be heard among the angels,” it said. The 61-year-old had been hospitalised since March 4 after a 2-year long battle with lung and kidney issues.
According to several reports, Blaxx, 61, was admitted to Arima General Hospital on March 21 and was moved to the ICU two days later.
