The Merchant (Dennis Williams Franklin)

Had it not been for his untimely death in 1999, after a long battle with AIDS, calypsonian Merchant would be churning out some of the best soca hits around.

Hailed as one of the most prolific composers in the history of calypso by local journalists, Merchant's calypsoes and compositions would run the gamut from profound commentaries, to the development of the national instrument to co-existing with each other. And even when he found out he had contracted the deadly virus back in 1994, he penned more than 40 calypsoes from his sick bed.

Born Dennis Williams Franklin, Merchant's upbringing is one without pomp and pageantry. He grew up in an orphanage and served time in prison on a rape conviction. But things would get better, even in prison, where he met legendary calypsonian Sniper who taught him to play the guitar and the art of composition. When he left prison, Merchant's attempt to earn a living by composing and singing ballads proved futile. He soon found a home in the soca genre.

He became popular in 1977 singing "Let Man Judge" and then "Umbayayo". Merchant's compositions were so unique, you didn't need to question which music was his among the barrage of soca played on radio. Some of his most memorable calypsoes include "Pan in Danger", "Rock It", "Caribbean Connection" and "Be Careful".

100 other classics followed. Soon Merchant was building a reputation for himself as being one of calypso's most successful songwriters. Still, he remained humble and continued composing hits for some of the biggest names in the soca business. Some calypsonians privileged to receive compositions from Merchant included The Mighty Trini ("Still de Best"), Baron ("Love Conquers All"), Tony Barclay "One Super Power"), and Bally ("No Behaviour").

Merchant made it to his first national calypso monarch finals in a competition that was eventually won by Calypso Rose and made his second trip down monarch final road again in 1985. But even when Merchant did not make it to the calypso competitions, his music was well represented by fellow calypsonians he composed for. A life full of drug abuse and promiscuity eventually forced Merchant out of the limelight.