Word, Sound and Power -Jamaican style
A new breed of Jamaican Spoken Word Artiste has emerged, picking up the baton from the pioneer Jamaican Dub Poets such as Mutabaruka, Louise Bennett and Mikey Smith. This legion of poets is taking Jamaican poetry to extreme heights. They draw inspiration from, roots reggae, dance hall, religious beliefs, hip hop and everyday experiences of life. These poetic expressions range from the militant to the smooth talking.
What is amazing is that in a country where it is said that females are more interested in reading and writing, that male performance poets seem to dominate almost every poetry reading.
It’s long past the idea that a poet was “soft†or very sensitive. These poets are unapologetic in their mission and writing and performance means no holds barred.
Their styles vary from the smooth talking Duane Francis and Dingo to the Militant Royal African Soldiers, Steppa, LSX, Charlie Bobos to the sexy seductive Chandis and Sajoya. They deliver messages of love, peace and of course they will do the proverbial Chanting down Babylon. They are versatile entertainers and teachers. Give them any type of music from roots reggae, hip hop to jazz and you are guaranteed instant satisfaction.
Jamaica Spoken word artistes are on the rise and are definitely a force to be reckoned with. Their dramatic delivery makes use of Standard English or Jamaican Patois to ensure that their messages come across full blast.
Now more and more Jamaican Poets have stepped up their game. Many have become self publishers and producers of their on CD’s. In the last few years groups like LSX and Tuff Tuff Triangle have formed their own record labels. Recently, LSX launched their first album on the “Tree A Life†label. Tuff Tuff Triangle whose label has the same name released Urban Journey back in 2005.
On the publishing side Spoken Word Artistes, Gina Rey Forest , Viva! Duane Francis and Charley Bobos have gone ahead and self-published. There has also been a rise in poets becoming promoters of Poetry events. Forest Fire Productions headed by Gina Forest and Root Cause have been two consistent promoters of Jamaican Spoken Word. Upcoming Spoken Word Artiste, Charlie Bobos has used his poetry to promote peace and love in the volatile Inner-city Community of Grants Pen in Kingston, Jamaica.
Over the years too many venues have been hosting their own poetry nights. These have provided an outlet for the poets to voice and meet. It has almost become a weekly affair in Kingston Jamaica to have a poetry gathering. It is not uncommon for poets to be called to perform at different types of events. Jamaican Spoken Word artistes have performed at luncheons, dinners, club meetings and concerts. Recently the trio LSX performed at a telethon aimed at raising funds to build schools.
In Kingston, the regular outlets for the poets include The Red Bones Café, The Poetry Society of Jamaica’s Monthly meetings and Rootz Lounge. But its not limited to Kingston, since 2005 the UK based Wilde has been holding a summer poetry festival in beautiful tourist Mecca of Negril in the Western end of Jamaica.
Poetry has even had its baptism by fire into the dancehall with the very clever dub poet/chanter, DYCR as the vehicle. He has executed poetry his way, by blending good Jamaican humor on hardcore dancehall beats. This shows the versatility and the endless variety of talented wordsmiths in this tiny island, the birthplace of reggae music.
Another innovative move by a Jamaican poet comes in the form of www.duane-francis.com . This poet decided that his blog should be a resource for poets by providing information about Jamaican Spoken Word artistes. This aims to feature the best of Jamaica’s unknown talents.
The movement continues with more and more dub Poets / Spoken Word Artistes being placed on the line-ups of several Reggae/ Dancehall stage shows. It’s a positive move for the Jamaican Poets / Spoken Word Artistes and hopefully they will gain the global recognition they deserve as they continue their journey.
When you hear the Jamaican Spoken Word Artiste you will be hammered with rhymes to raise your consciousness and search the depths of your soul. Rich and steeped in cultural expression they deliver poetry like you have never heard it before. Jamaican Spoken Word epitomizes Word Sound and Power!
What is amazing is that in a country where it is said that females are more interested in reading and writing, that male performance poets seem to dominate almost every poetry reading.
It’s long past the idea that a poet was “soft†or very sensitive. These poets are unapologetic in their mission and writing and performance means no holds barred.
Their styles vary from the smooth talking Duane Francis and Dingo to the Militant Royal African Soldiers, Steppa, LSX, Charlie Bobos to the sexy seductive Chandis and Sajoya. They deliver messages of love, peace and of course they will do the proverbial Chanting down Babylon. They are versatile entertainers and teachers. Give them any type of music from roots reggae, hip hop to jazz and you are guaranteed instant satisfaction.
Jamaica Spoken word artistes are on the rise and are definitely a force to be reckoned with. Their dramatic delivery makes use of Standard English or Jamaican Patois to ensure that their messages come across full blast.
Now more and more Jamaican Poets have stepped up their game. Many have become self publishers and producers of their on CD’s. In the last few years groups like LSX and Tuff Tuff Triangle have formed their own record labels. Recently, LSX launched their first album on the “Tree A Life†label. Tuff Tuff Triangle whose label has the same name released Urban Journey back in 2005.
On the publishing side Spoken Word Artistes, Gina Rey Forest , Viva! Duane Francis and Charley Bobos have gone ahead and self-published. There has also been a rise in poets becoming promoters of Poetry events. Forest Fire Productions headed by Gina Forest and Root Cause have been two consistent promoters of Jamaican Spoken Word. Upcoming Spoken Word Artiste, Charlie Bobos has used his poetry to promote peace and love in the volatile Inner-city Community of Grants Pen in Kingston, Jamaica.
Over the years too many venues have been hosting their own poetry nights. These have provided an outlet for the poets to voice and meet. It has almost become a weekly affair in Kingston Jamaica to have a poetry gathering. It is not uncommon for poets to be called to perform at different types of events. Jamaican Spoken Word artistes have performed at luncheons, dinners, club meetings and concerts. Recently the trio LSX performed at a telethon aimed at raising funds to build schools.
In Kingston, the regular outlets for the poets include The Red Bones Café, The Poetry Society of Jamaica’s Monthly meetings and Rootz Lounge. But its not limited to Kingston, since 2005 the UK based Wilde has been holding a summer poetry festival in beautiful tourist Mecca of Negril in the Western end of Jamaica.
Poetry has even had its baptism by fire into the dancehall with the very clever dub poet/chanter, DYCR as the vehicle. He has executed poetry his way, by blending good Jamaican humor on hardcore dancehall beats. This shows the versatility and the endless variety of talented wordsmiths in this tiny island, the birthplace of reggae music.
Another innovative move by a Jamaican poet comes in the form of www.duane-francis.com . This poet decided that his blog should be a resource for poets by providing information about Jamaican Spoken Word artistes. This aims to feature the best of Jamaica’s unknown talents.
The movement continues with more and more dub Poets / Spoken Word Artistes being placed on the line-ups of several Reggae/ Dancehall stage shows. It’s a positive move for the Jamaican Poets / Spoken Word Artistes and hopefully they will gain the global recognition they deserve as they continue their journey.
When you hear the Jamaican Spoken Word Artiste you will be hammered with rhymes to raise your consciousness and search the depths of your soul. Rich and steeped in cultural expression they deliver poetry like you have never heard it before. Jamaican Spoken Word epitomizes Word Sound and Power!
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