Joseph La Placeliere - Reigning Extempo Calypso King

"Regardless of disability, excellence is still attainable with persistence; a positive mind; a heart felt dream; and a burning desire to achieve to ones highest potential."

Joseph La Placeliere, also known as the Mighty Lingo extempo extraordinaire, was born in Trinidad. He attended the Trinidad & Tobago School for Blind Children from 1975 to 1985 and was then integrated into St. Joseph College from 1985 to 1989.

The Mighty Lingo began pursuing a career as a calypso singer in 1999. His talent in the extempo field became evident when he placed third in his debut at the Any Howers extempo competition. The following year he entered again and placed second in a field of eight.

In 2001 Joseph performed at the Yangatang calypso tent and made the finals. He again made the extempo finals in 2003 but did not win. However, the Mighty Lingo was clearly the crowd favorite and they chanted their disapproval at the Queens Park Savannah when he was not crowned as the Extempo King. Joseph has since been vindicated and was crowned as the Extempo King in 2007 and 2008.

The Mighty Lingo has also made his mark in the paran arena. He is a former member of Los Amigos En Musica. In 2001 he was featured on a paran compilation CD with Sprangalang and other well known performers.

Listen to some selections from the Mighty Lingo:

• songs