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As we remember Singing Francine we should also acknowledge the tremendous contributions that she made in the pursuit of women being fully recognized and respected in Calypsodom...not only did Singing Francine sing Calypsoes, r&b ballads, and parang -music but she also aggravated and confronted the status quo in fighting for women's rights throughout the region. Singing Francine was an entertainer of the highest order who possessed a dynamic presence on stage and readily communicated with her audiences. However, her most lasting and important contribution to Calypsodom was her continuous selection to the Calypso King finals in the 1970s namely 1972/1973/1974/1975. Singing Francine's consistent selection to the Calypso King final during that era forced, compelled, or motivated the CDC to change the name of the Calypso King competition to the Calypso Monarch final in 1976.Singing Francine was crowned Calypso Queen of Trinidad and Tobago in 1972/1973/1981/1983.Calypso Rose was the first female Calypsonian to be selected for the Calypso King final and that was in 1968. During the 1970s and 80s, there existed a very keen Calypso rivalry between Calypso Rose and Singing Francine that is immortalized in some of their Calypsoes.On behalf of the Divas Calypso Cabaret International we extend condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues in Calypsodom, may her soul rest in eternal peace...thanks for the entertainment.

-Rudolph Ottley

Singing Francine - Parang Parang

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TUCO mourns the passing of Francine Edwards known in the calypso word as "Singing Francine" who passed away early this morning, 16th December, 2022.Singing Francine was born in Barbados on February 13th 1943 and came to Trinidad at a young age. When asked how she began singing calypso, she responded, “I never became involved in the calypso art form. I was born into the calypso art form.” Throughout her career, she has used her musical talent to address social issues, particularly those directly affecting women. In 1975, she sang “A Call to Women,” encouraging more women to use calypso music as a vehicle of self-expression. In her 1978 calypso “Runaway,” she addressed the topic of domestic violence, urging women in abusive living situations to seek help.Singing Francine was one of the most successful calypsonians in Trinidad and Tobago, winning the National Calypso Queen competition in 1972, 1973, 1981 and 1983. Over the course of her career, she has become an important figure in the development of not only calypso, but also parang.In 1981, Singing Francine released the parang album “Christmas is Love,” which featured a blend of calypso, soca and parang sounds. Francine’s album came only three years after the calypsonian Crazy, released “Parang Soca”—one of the first songs to feature what we now call “parang soca” or “soca parang,” making him a pioneer in this genre. Since then, many musicians such as Baron, Scrunter, Chalkdust, Kitchener, Sundar Popo, Drupatee Ramgoonai, Rikki Jai and Singing Francine have also made their mark by blending the dynamic sounds of calypso, soca, chutney and parang.Over the years, Singing Francine has released a number of Christmas hits, earning her the reputation as one of the best parranderos in Trinidad. Some of her classic parang songs include “Hooray, Hurrah,” “Parang Parang,” I Love Christmas,” “Christmas is Love,” “Caribbean Christmas,” and “Ay Ay Maria.”On behalf of the President, Ainsley King and the General Council of TUCO, we extend condolences to the family, loved ones, friends and colleagues of the late Singing Francine. May she Rest in Peace.