INCENDIARY CALLS TO ACTION flowed into lamentations By the Rivers of Babylon. Ruminations of the man or woman in the mirror reflected images and imaginings of race, religion and Caribbean rhythms.
There was nothing normal about the talent showcased at Frank Collymore Hall on Tuesday evening. Lyrically sensual without losing potency, Word! Sound! Power! wielded superhero strength, finely executed by the League Of Extraordinary Poets under the direction of Matthew Murrell.
The Day Will Come was one of the more popular pieces on the evening. Keegan Maharaj tackled ideas of race consciousness with a comedic punch, laced with introspection and raising the question – if someone says that they are not a racist, but their actions cause the same pain, what does it make them?
A Confused Kerry-ann Waithe dealt with another divisive issue – organised religion. A testy conversation at best, Waithe’s handling of her search for God raised all the right concerns.
Passion Poet opened the night with a preacher-like tribute to all Barbadians to stand up against sexual abuse, and for artists to speak out on social ails.
And It was About Time.
Adrian Green was in usual fine form with the piece first heard during the National Independence Festival Of Creative Arts (NIFCA), with words and rhymes rolling smoothly off a talented tongue.
Inity Fyah had more than a handful of fans in the audience. The mass appeal of the message Tings Tight made the piece another easy favourite. Adaeze Lyrics continued to inspire with themes of aspiration, brought out by Tip Toes. The playful poet reminisced on childhood days and the hopes of measuring up to peers. She reminded the sizeable audience that dreams were still attainable, with a little extra effort. Another standout was Miss Too T’ick, Empress Zingha. The ode to buxom beauties was filled with all the sass and attitude the poem required.
DJ Simmons was in the zone on Tuesday evening, ending the show with bolts of unbridled energy. Backed by pannist Andre Forde, Simmons became a hat-flinging, locks-swinging, foot-stomping Vibe Master.
Chaitali Soudatt, Damani Re and Lamarr Coward were also featured, and by the end of the hour and 15 minutes, there was nothing to be said but “We want more!”
