Who won the first Calypso King contest in 1939?

The first Calypso King contest, held in 1939, was won by Growling Tiger. He performed “Trade Union,” a topical calypso that earned him the inaugural title in Trinidad.

The competition grew from Trinidad’s earlier calypso and singing contests, including a 1911 contest for an original song on a local subject. It was interrupted during World War II and resumed in 1946, when Atilla the Hun became the first postwar winner.

Several names in the options are associated with later victories. Roaring Lion won in 1940, Lord Melody first won in 1949, and Mighty Sparrow’s first title came in 1956. The competition was later renamed Calypso Monarch after Calypso Rose became the first woman to win, in 1978.