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The Honourable David Michael Rudder OCC (born 6 May 1953) is a Trinidadian calypsonian, known to be one of the most successful calypsonians of all time. He performed as lead singer for the brass band Charlie's Roots. Nine years later, Rudder stepped outside the band, entering the calypso tent as a solo calypsonian in 1986, which was followed by an unprecedented rise to fame.
"Almost overnight he became a national hero of the order of Bob Marley in Jamaica, Fela in Nigeria and Springsteen in New Jersey," wrote Daisann McClane, American journalist and Worldbeat correspondent for Rolling Stone magazine.
Rudder's music quickly became the subject of music critics around the world: "From New York to London to Tokyo, where the Japanese have released a CD of Rudder's greatest hits complete with lyrics translated into Japanese, Rudder has been described as modern calypso's most innovative songwriter."
In 1986, he came to prominence on Andy Narell's album The Hammer, which produced two big hits: "The Hammer" (a tribute to the late steelpan Rudolph Charles) and "Bahia Girl". This was followed in 1987 with "Calypso Music", a brilliant encapsulation of the history of Calypso music. In 1988, Rudder released what is widely considered his best album to date, Haiti, which included the title track, a tribute to the glory and suffering of Haiti; "Engine Room", which captured the energy of the steel band; and "Rally 'Round the West Indies", which (with modified lyrics) became the anthem of West Indies cricket.
In 1991, four tracks performed by Rudder were included in the soundtrack of the film Wild Orchid: "Dark Secret" (two versions), "Children Of Fire (Call Of Xango)", and "Just a Carnival", which includes Rudder in the final scene in the movie "performing" on the beach. In 1996, he was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In 2008, Rudder did a Soca music collaboration with fellow Trinidadian Machel Montano, "Oil and Music" on Machel's 2007 album Flame On. In 2011, Rudder performed a soca collaboration called "Glow" with Barbados' "Queen of Soca" Alison Hinds. "Alison Hinds ft. David Rudder - Glow". 21 April 2011, via YouTube. On 28 April 2022, Rudder's "Trini 2 De Bone" appeared in the FX comedy Atlanta in the seventh episode of season 3 also entitled "Trini 2 De Bone". He has released more than 30 albums and has performed in venues across the Caribbean, Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa.
In April 2023, Rudder announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He would continue to write new material and give smaller concerts, but would cease exhausting performances after his 70th birthday.
On 25 October 2015, the University of the West Indies (UWI) awarded Rudder the honorary degree Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.), in recognition of his "outstanding" contributions to Caribbean culture.
On 3 July 2022, Rudder was conferred with the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC).
| 2015 | Catharsis |
| 2008 | Trinidad Stories |
| 2004 | Eclectica |
| 2003 | Blessed |
| 2002 | Farewell to the flesh |
| 2001 | The Autobiography of the Now |
| 2000 | Zero |
| 1999 | International Chantuelle |
| 1998 | Beloved |
| 1997 | Wrapped in Plain Brown Paper |
| 1996 | Tales from a Strange Land |
| 1994 | Lyrics Man |
| 1993 | Ministry of Rhythm |
| 1993 | Gilded Collection: Volume 1 |
| 1992 | Frenzy |
| 1991 | Rough & Ready |
| 1990 | Sketches |
| 1989 | The Power & The Glory (with Charlie's Roots) |
| 1988 | Haiti (with Charlie's Roots) |
| + !Year !Title !Role !Director !Notes | ||||
| 1989 | Wild Orchid | Himself | Zalman King | Performed the songs "Dark Secret", "Children of Fire (Call of Xango)", and "Just a Carnival" used in the film. |
| 2017 | Brown Girl Begins | Drummer | Sharon Lewis |
| + !Year !Title !Role !Notes | |||
| 1988 | Sugar Cane Arrows | Bolt |
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