By Mel Cooke, Freelance WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
WITH CLOSE to two years as a unit on the poetic trek, four poets are intent on putting together a Grassroots Society.
As the name implies, the society would encompass the poets who operate at the grassroots level, who walk with and represent the feelings of the common man.
"We realise that most times the grassroots is represented by people outside of it," said Clement Hamilton, a member of the group, describing the relationship among them as "bredren and bredren, each a mentor, each a student."
Among the 'bredrens and mentors' are Princess Love, Anthony 'Spirit' Gayle, Akin Sanya and Ayunda.
Hamilton said that the intention is to show aspiring dub poets the steps that they should take. "Most people starting out want to check Muta or Yasus. They expect these people to carry the torch. You cannot expect a man to carry it, unless he declares that that is what he is doing," he said.
"You have the society for that," Hamilton said.
However, he is well aware that to have the authority to teach the way, one has to have travelled the road. "We have to publish, get records out," Hamilton said.
ALBUM IN THE WORKS
To that end, an album is in the making, with an underground version featuring a poem from each member a possibility before the entire album itself comes out. In addition, Princess Love, Akin Sanya and Ayunda performed at the New Kingston street dance and show last year. There were also a couple performances in Mandeville, as well as several showings at the Weekenz Bistro & Bar on Constant Spring Road, St. Andrew.
They have also performed at the University of the West Indies (UWI) for Circle K, as well as at the University of Technology (UTech). It is hoped that the album will come out in time for the Calabash International Literary Festival at the end of May. It is now in the mixing stages.
From there, the plan is to get registered and find a space to hold regular events and meetings.
"You have a lot of history and a lot of grassroots artistes. Many of them have gone underground, because they have not seen anything going on and they are not being recognised."
"Grassroots as a whole has its own expression, which is indigenous," Hamilton said.
"I remember the first time I heard Spirit and Sanya at a Moonlighting (an event once staged by Connie Bell). Lots of people were in the Love Jones style, some well put together, but the dub poetry was different. It is an indigenous beat that we can all relate to," he said.
It was out of that 'Moonlighting' experience that the seeds of the Grassroots Society were sown. There were plans to go to the second Calabash International Literary Festival and perform, but although the planned performance did not take place, the connections were made.
Now the intention is to get their plans into action, "so when we go out and start the society we have the experience," Hamilton said.
