Justin "Hero" Cassell boasts such an impressive track record in the history of Montserrat festival, he has become virtually intrinsic to the island's culture. His 10 calypso monarch crowns are five more than his nearest competitor, Everton "Reality" Weekes, and he has never finished lower than first runner-up. Hero won the first calypso monarch contest in 1962 with Lizzie and Joe and won again in 1965 with Wicked Married Men. He then took a hiatus from the calypso scene as he left the island to further his studies, first at the Jamaica School of Agriculture, then at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. When he returned, he picked up right where he left off, capturing the crown in 1972 and 1973 before taking yet another break. His next crown came in 1981during the height of his rivalry with Reality. He won again in 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1989, then sat out for 18 years before returning in 2007 and winning his 10th crown. Hero said he was inspired to return to the stage after getting a dream about his deceased mother. He composed the song The Country Need Prayer in her honor and his second song, All They Want is Money, blasted local politicians. Hero's collaboration with his brother Arrow over the years helped catapult Arrow to his status as the soca king. In a recent poll, Hot Hot Hot and Tiny Winey -- both written by Hero -- were voted the top two soca songs of all time, an honor Hero says he's extremely proud of. Asked what has separated him from other calypsonians in Montserrat, Hero said: "Vocal power, melodious voice, superior diction, clarity, and the ability to write lyrics that have meaning locally and internationally." Even though he no longer competes, he still writes for other artists. He is also called upon often to provide jingles for local businesses. Asked which of his songs is his all-time favorite, Hero named two: String Band Jam, later remade by Arrow and renamed Prum Prum, and Manifesto. In 1990, a panel of calypso enthusiasts voted Manifesto the best calypso song in the history of Montserrat festival. His other popular songs through the years include Disaster '81, Body to Body, Lick-e-Ting and Where de Galvanize.