RAMKISSOON
Barbara Ellington, Gleaner Writer
THE SELF-STYLED Queen Ayacodobae Ramkissoon is a regal Rasta woman who is as multi-talented as she is beautiful. The Sunday Gleaner caught up with her prior to her departure from the island after a recent trip. She had been here to work on some of the tracks for her CD.
Writer, composer, singer, stand-up comic, arranger, are among her long list of talents. Her South African/American heritage have influenced the eclectic sounds of a CD that will no doubt become a collector's item. Some recordings took place at Tuff Gong, Mixing Lab, Hole in the Wall and Black Scorpio.
Her singing style varies from rhythm and blues, jazz, African opera to reggae. She chose reggae because of the influences of local giants like: Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, U-Roy, Buju Banton and Peter Tosh. She is also shrewd enough to recognize the increasing demand for reggae music in Asian and European countries. And the new CD will be launched simultaneously in Jamaica, Japan and London.
PENIS DIALOGUE
"I could not do a CD with reggae music and not come here to do some of the recordings. This is where it all began and where I have to come for authenticity," Queen told the Sunday Gleaner. Even with an 18-piece orchestra of her own at home in Washington D.C., the sound wouldn't be the same.
And how is her music received in Washington D.C.? Not as well as she would like to see reggae music received. "There is still some prejudice at many radio stations. Many of them still do not play it on air. It is limited to a few stations that include it in their 'World Beat' segment, Queen told The Sunday Gleaner. She plans to combine reggae with African music thus harnessing all the energies of her ancestors.
The mother of two adult sons is also enjoying the attention of audiences all over America that have seen her work The Penis Dialogue a one-woman stage production that came out of a conversation between a mother and grandmother. On stage, the penis speaks through her voices. It was produced under the banner of her company, Holistic Healing and Family Lifestyle Inc. The company provides health education through entertainment to stop the spread of sex crimes, abuse and communicable diseases. As family health educator, she has written straight from the heart and the presentation style and language are easy to understand.
The Penis Dialogue, which opened April 2003, takes the audience on a provocative journey into the life of the penis and the many misconceptions about its power and purpose. It has been presented to audiences in the United States, Argentina, Ireland, London and Trinidad.
MULTIPLE SEX PARTNERS
"I use many voices (and she demonstrates), in an entertaining way to get the messages across. I explore issues such as: HIV'AIDS, multiple sex partners, sex in the work place and places of worship, contraception, teen pregnancy, oral and anal intercourse among teens, date rape, sexual/physical/spiritual abuse, homosexuality, bisexuality and lying about choices.
I aim to educate without being judgmental; I do not jump to conclusions about people's sexual preferences but I try to show the importance of honesty with partners," she said. Queen uses excerpts from The Penis Dialogue in her workshops with young people wherever she is invited. The material which comprises poetry, plays and comedy, is tailored to suit, children of all ages, adults and trainers. The sessions run from 45 minutes to all day. "We touch topics that are taboo and encourage everyone especially women to be tested for HIV/AIDS," Queen stressed.
For the immediate future, Queen plans to continue her work as well as market a line of " Wear Royal, Regal " clothing for queens and complete her book titled "The Pen Is In"
