THREE MEMBERS of the Multicast Poets delivered a potent dose of political poetry at the Poetry Society of Jamaica's March gathering at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, Arthur Wint Drive, St. Andrew, on Tuesday night.
Ginsu, Neto Meeks and Ras Takura formed the trio. Though they have previously performed individually, the three have combined efforts with two other poets, Marsha Hall and Steppa, to produce an album.
With political projects that often collided, being guided by a social consciousness, the three displayed very different styles, which helped to make the night varied, as they performed in rounds.
Meeks started off the performance with 'Back To My Lines'. Before delivering the piece in his spitfire rap cadence, Meeks explained, "This was the first poem that I read at Poetry Society. The first time I realised I was writing poetry."
Most of the pieces were delivered without introduction, and needed none. Most of Meeks' poetry focused on Jamaica as he looked at violence, poverty and racial issues. At his second turn at the microphone, Meeks delivered 'Honour To Marcus' then later 'Cruisin Up the Waltham'.
With 'Honour To Marcus' Meeks looked at the colour issue, noting that even today "still the children try to change their skin like chameleon(s)". Another socio-political piece 'Cruisin Up The Waltham' looks at the cycle of violence which grips Jamaica. "Sometimes it feels like the graveyard waits for us," the poem declared.
With the political fervour of his three earlier pieces, Meeks' final poem 'Souljah' brought a very different slant. 'Souljah' declares deep affection to a woman who inspires the desire to stay awhile.
Ginsu delivered three pieces, which declared him a very potent lyricist. His first piece, 'Black Renaissance', celebrated black achievements throughout history. With 'New World Order' he turned to the United States of America. "They want to make America the land of the white" he said with an allusion to the U.S. anthem.
This is the new order/ the Aryan order... No Mexicans across this border. He linked all aspects of life from entertainment to Waco in this whitening project. The 'border' references made the poem even more relevant as the United States continues to tighten security measures for entry into the country. This is the New Order, Ginsu declared again Homeland security control this border. At the end of the poem one member of the audience was moved to declare "This guy has stories like Bob Dylan."
Ginsu's final poem 'Revolution' again targeted the U.S. but this time in reference to its relationships with the rest of the world. He raised questions about the treatment of General Noriega, the death of Maurice Bishop and even whether Al Qaeda was responsible for bringing down the Twin Towers.
Of the three, Ras Takura varied themes the most. He started with 'My Generation', which spoke of the great potential of the current generation to break the shackles of the past and create a better future and present.
In a somewhat similar vein, though from a different angle Ras Takura again looked at the need to change the present with 'Her Majesty's Prison', which lamented the number of people imprisoned, arguing that education was the key. "(I)f in your hearts yours hearts education is that expensive, then give ignorance the bligh," he declared.
Takura also presented a celebration of Jamaican food with 'Jamaican Food' and ended with a pun-laden sexual poem 'The Farmer'.
