The global Caribbean music community is gripped by sorrow this week following the passing of beloved, trailblazing soca performer Oscar “Oscar B” Benjamin, who breathed his last early Wednesday morning. The 57-year-old artist, a lifelong resident of Signal Hill, Tobago, had been battling health complications after suffering a severe stroke back in May, and his sudden passing came just hours before a community-organized benefit concert intended to cover his mounting medical costs and support his ongoing recovery.
The Tobago Family and Friends Healing Concert had been planned weeks in advance for the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, scheduled to kick off Wednesday evening. Following confirmation of Benjamin’s death, event organizers and the Division of Tourism, Antiquities and Creative Industries operating under the Tobago House of Assembly announced the show would go forward as originally scheduled, but would be reimagined as a moving celebration of Benjamin’s life and his decades-long contributions to the evolution of Caribbean soca culture.
Within minutes of the official announcement of his passing, tributes began pouring in from across the music industry, government circles, and the local Tobagonian community, all honoring the iconic artist’s legacy. In an official statement released Wednesday, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Culture and Community Development hailed Benjamin as “a cherished son of Tobago and a celebrated ambassador of our culture”, highlighting his journey from a young choir singer to one of the region’s most recognizable soca performers.
Benjamin first nurtured his passion for music as a young member of his local church choir, before launching his professional musical career in 1982 when he joined the iconic Signal Hill Alumni Choir. Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin shared a heartfelt tribute to the late artist, noting that Oscar B devoted his entire life to spreading the joy of Caribbean music, delighting audiences across the globe, and proudly uplifting his home of Tobago every time he stepped onto a stage.
“It is especially heart-breaking that he passed away less than 24 hours before the scheduled Tobago Family & Friends Healing Concert, an event organized by those who loved and admired him to support his recovery following his recent illness,” Minister Benjamin said. “While he may not have witnessed that extraordinary outpouring of affection, it stands as a lasting testament to the lives he touched and the deep respect he earned throughout his career.”
Veteran soca legend Austin “SuperBlue” Lyons was among the first fellow artists to share his condolences publicly on social media. “Waking up to sad news this morning hearing my dear Friend Oscar B pass away. May you fly with the angels above until we meet again. Always enjoy watching your performance. You will be missed. Rest in Peace,” Lyons wrote in his social media post.
Signal Hill Secondary School, Benjamin’s alma mater, also shared a tribute remembering the star as far more than a talented performer, calling him “a living legend” whose impact extended far beyond the stage. Former Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell also offered his condolences, writing: “Oscar, boy we had some really good moments. Thank you for the entertainment and the performances, always. Fly high and rest in eternal peace.”