I was surprised to learn, from this message, that Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan had a previous career as calypso artist called The Charmer. Further research shows he recorded several albums in the 1950s. AMG - All Music Guide confirms his identity, but doesn't provide much information. There is more at Fade to Black Comedy Magazine, including complete mp3 files of 16 songs. Start with that page and follow the links at the bottom.

And the music ain't bad. Here's one song, undoubtedly based on the story of Christine Jorgenson. Hardly PC by today's standards, but hey, it was daring in the 1950s for the entertainment media to even mention Christine Jorgenson. I can't imagine this song getting any radio play in those days.

IS SHE IS OR IS SHE AIN'T?

I am trying to find a solution
'Bout a certain person.
Trying to find a solution
'Bout a certain person.
With this modern surgery,
They changed him from he to she,
But behind that lipstick, rouge and paint,
I got to know, is she is, or is she ain't?

I wonder what gave him the idea and the spark
To leave the country bound for Denmark.
He tried to live the life of a man,
But that was not in accord with nature's plan,
So he underwent this operation,
And came back home to shock the nation,
But behind that lipstick, rouge and paint,
I got to know, is she is, or is she ain't?

When he-she came back to this country,
They made her a popular celebrity.
All the public sentiment
She got movie contracts and plenty engagements.
People came out of curiosity
To see this amazing freak of the century,
But behind that lipstick, rouge and paint,
I still wonder, is she is, or is she ain't?

When that lady walk across the stage,
They call her the wonder of this modern age.
Now she making plenty money
Because of hormones and plastic surgery,
Drawing down twenty thousand a week,
And not one listening to this record could get a peek,
So behind that lipstick, rouge and paint,
What d'you think she is? Boy, I know she ain't!