One of the few luxury islands on the planet, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is located in the Southernmost part of the Caribbean.
It was an island inhabited for centuries by native Amerindian people before the coming of the Spanish Empire. Consisting of smaller islands, it is situated south of Grenada, off the coast of Northeastern Venezuela and shares maritime boundaries with Barbados, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadine and finally Guyana to the Southeast.
With a population of 1, 395, 714 people based on the latest estimates, the island has the third-highest GDP per capita based on purchasing power in the Americas after the United States and Canada.
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Trinidad and Tobago is well known for its unique history, language, sports, music, as well as, its mixture of African, Spanish and Indian cultures and most notably its carnivals.
6 Famous People You Didn’t Know Were From Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago, a beautiful Caribbean nation, has not only captivated the world with its culture, music, and festivals like Carnival, but it has also produced several globally renowned individuals. Many people are unaware that some of their favorite celebrities hail from this vibrant twin-island country. Let’s take a look at six famous people you may not know were from Trinidad and Tobago.
1. Nicki Minaj
One of the most recognizable figures in global pop culture, Nicki Minaj (born Onika Tanya Maraj) is of Trinidadian descent. Born in Saint James, Trinidad, Minaj moved to the United States as a child. She has become an international sensation, known for her unique style, hit songs, and bold persona. Minaj’s Caribbean roots have influenced her music and her fashion choices, making her a proud representative of Trinidad and Tobago on the world stage.
2. Stokely Carmichael
Stokely Carmichael, later known as Kwame Ture, was a leading figure in the American Civil Rights Movement and the global fight for racial equality. Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, he immigrated to the United States and became active in the fight against racial injustice. As a prominent leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Black Panther Party, Carmichael was instrumental in the development of the “Black Power” movement, which emphasized racial pride and self-determination.
3. Billy Ocean
The Grammy-winning singer Billy Ocean is another global star with roots in Trinidad and Tobago. Born in Fyzabad, Trinidad, he moved to England as a child, where he eventually became one of the most successful British recording artists of the 1980s. With hits like “Caribbean Queen,” “When the Going Gets Tough,” and “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car,” Ocean brought a fusion of R&B, pop, and soul to the world, while often drawing on his Caribbean heritage for inspiration.
4. V. S. Naipaul
Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, better known as V. S. Naipaul, was a Trinidadian-British author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001. Born in Chaguanas, Trinidad, Naipaul’s works often explored themes of colonialism, identity, and displacement. His notable novels include “A House for Mr. Biswas” and “The Enigma of Arrival.” Naipaul’s sharp, thought-provoking writing made him one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century, and his Trinidadian background often served as inspiration for his literary works.
5. C.L.R. James
Cyril Lionel Robert James, commonly known as C.L.R. James, was a Trinidadian historian, journalist, and socialist. His most famous work, “The Black Jacobins,” is a revolutionary analysis of the Haitian Revolution. Born in Tunapuna, Trinidad, James was not only a prominent historian but also an influential figure in the fields of Marxist theory and Pan-Africanism. His writings and activism have had a lasting impact on the fields of postcolonial studies and African diaspora history.
6. Hazel Scott
Hazel Scott was a groundbreaking jazz and classical pianist, singer, and actress who was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and moved to New York City as a child. She became a trailblazer in American entertainment, known for her talent and for breaking racial barriers in Hollywood. Scott was the first Black woman to have her own television show, “The Hazel Scott Show,” in the United States. Her legacy is not only as a musical genius but also as a civil rights activist who fought for racial equality in the arts.
Conclusion
Trinidad and Tobago may be small in size, but its impact on the world through its famous sons and daughters is immeasurable. From music to politics, literature to entertainment, these individuals have brought the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago to a global audience. Whether through their talents or their advocacy for justice, these six figures have made lasting contributions that continue to inspire people around the world.
