Art Star: Jamaica

Showing posts with label Jamaica. Show all posts

Can somebody give Tyson Gay a hug?

How does it feel to put in your all and have it not be enough?/Instead of all full, you're awful and it's so damn tough- Chris B. "Lyrics of Fury 2k5" circa 2004.*

Although I am ecstatic that Usain continues his dominance, my heart goes out to Tyson Gay. He's a great athlete but this rivalry is becoming more and more uneven. He ran a 9.71 in Berlin and no one cares! It's the third best time ever! I probably don't have to tell you who has the top two times...

That brother needs some serious pastoral care.

How was he supposed to know that his career would serve as a footnote in the story of the once in a century phenomenon known as Usain "Lightning" Bolt?!

And I thought lightning wasn't supposed to strike twice, eh? How many times can one man break his own record...and barely look like he's trying.**

Let's just say Tyson was born in 1974 instead of 1982. Still had the same conditioning, resources, and everything that has made him the athlete he is today. Is there any question about his potential stardom then?

He'd be the guy Michael Johnson hands the torch to in 2000. Triumphant enough in 2004 for America to soon forget the doping scandals that were to come. His rivalry with Bolt would be bigger and he might not even play second fiddle.

This would be a "changing of the guard" story rather than what it is now. A tale we've seen so often in sports. A legend decimating the best of the mortals.

Ali did this to Frazier.

Jordan to Barkley, Ewing, Drexler, Malone, and anyone else in his path.

And now Gay must pay the price. He's playing Salieri to Bolt's Mozart.

Yesterday on Twitter I called Tyson the Patrick Ewing of track. This prompted a debate as some felt that it implied Bolt was Jordanesque.***

A friend of mine, obvious Jordan worshiper, offered that the most he could do was compare Bolt to LeBron. I scoffed at this because while I think LeBron will be the G.O.A.T, he isn't yet. Bolt is more than potential. He is now.

But don't let me argue for him, in Bolt's own words:

usainboltI was made for speed - 9.58 - how do you like that - to the world

usainboltWho faster?

*Yeah I quoted myself. Kinda cocky I suppose. But this is a story about Usain Bolt so humility must be scarce. Oh yeah, here's the referenced track.

**No really. Have you seen this?

***Which is exactly what I meant.

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My mind on shuffle: "I know you got soul!" edition

It's been a long time...I shouldn't have left you...

Without a "mind on shuffle" to step to...

(C'mon, name that tune...I know you got soul!)

So much triumph and tragedy on my brain. Much has been said about the last debate between McCain and Obama so I won't chime in with my two cents--especially not this late in the game.

Instead watch this brief clip talking about the realer than real tragedies going on in communities all across America. This clip highlights Hempstead. Poor people have always been in a recession.

Reminds me of a great song by Morgan Heritage called "Nothing to Smile About"

Speaking of Jamdown, much praise is due to fellow Jamerican Colin Powell for giving Obama a cosign.

In my book, this is a symbolic passing of the torch. Powell was that hope for many folks who thought he could become president and will help make his legacy bigger than his involvement in the Bush administration.

I haven't seen Dubya yet but seeing Jeffrey Wright as Colin Powell makes me think about Billy Dee Williams in Undercover Brother.

Before he sold General's Fried Chicken, Billy Dee actually was the spokesperson for Colt 45...works every time.

My friends, you won't get another anti-McCain/Palin article from me. I'll still talk about the election, but I won't sling mud...unless of course one of them does something undeniably ridiculous between now and election day. (Odds anyone?)

Til then, enjoy Terry Tate's opposition to offshore drilling:

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Mavado's Gospel

The above clip is just one example of the many songs from one of reggae's most popular stars currently, (and my favorite dancehall artist of the year) Mavado. David Constantine Brooks is Reggae music's answer to Tupac. Not since Bounty Killer (Mavado's mentor and fellow "Alliance" member) invited listeners to "Look" and declared that poor people were "Fed Up!", have the struggles of the poor been so wondrously illustrated through the music. Like any artist of his ilk, controversy surrounds him as he is viewed as both a voice of the sufferers and an enabler for violent elements.

When I first listened to his debut, "Gangsta 4 Life: The Symphony of David Brooks", I felt very confused. When you hear the title track, you don't know if you're suppose to Willy Bounce or dodge bullets. The album has some of the most ferocious "gun tunes" and gives plenty reason for the nations (St. Vincent, Guyana, USA, Canada, Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica) that have barred him from traveling or have called for local radio stations to stop playing his music. His name is in the midst of many conversations (similar to those we've had about artists in the States) drawing a correlation between the violence in lyrics and in the streets.

Take a look at his video for "Last Night":

You can't help but understand where his critics are coming from. Video is straight savage!

But the quality that attracts so many fans to him, beyond his aggressive tales, is the hope infused in his non-violent tracks. Another hit off his debut album is his song with fellow reggae sensation, Serani, called "Dying"

This song shows the influence Bounty Killer, and undoubtedly Tupac, had in Mavado's formation as an artist. It is a weird form of an apology; one that doesn't say I'm "gonna do better" but attempts to explain the method behind the madness.

Another hit from Mavado is his song, "On the Rock". This joint was so ferocious even Jigga had to jump onto the remix. Below, is another remix he did called "We Need Barack"

Mavado is a talented enough artist to make the switch from "gangsta" to a more accepted social commentator. Whether singing about the greatness that is Jamaican track and field or his dedication to the streets, there is no doubting the reality that pierces through many of his hits, and the passion he puts into his songs.

Casting him as another reckless artist pumping poison into the community is unfair. His contributions through the "Connect Jamaica" program show his dedication to the have-nots. Perhaps the respect he truly deserves will be accorded to him when he puts down the "Full Clip" and uses his talent to serve the poor.

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Taking Dancing To Di World

While the Olympics have come and most are now focused on the Convention in Denver, NFL preseason, etc., celebration still continues on the isle of Jamaica and in the heart of all "yardies" across the world. Peep this video below as Elephant Man demonstrates the newest dance to hit the street, the "Lightning Bolt"

As an extra treat, peep the video for the song that inspired one of Bolt's many dance moves in Beijing. This is currently the number one song in Jamaica, "Nuh Linga."

To Di World!!!

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my olympic heroes: part 4 - pass the torch

i am completely speechless from the closing ceremonies. how could you not be entranced by the choreography of hundreds of people not only to utilize their movement but also their costumes and the structures built in a matter of hours. then there's another component of choreography that only the chinese could do this well. from the countdown with simple bottle rockets to incredibly timed showering mortars, there is little that can be said. i'm going to completely ignore the "theme" of this olympics, "beijing, beijing, oh i love beijing," catchy... kinda but how about the wide array of drummers? the beginning had 6 or 7 year old stick handlers (don't try to verify their age with the chinese government...) and then a couple chic 20 somethings going at it. and ... jackie chan!!!! i'm going to agree with nbc's chris collinsworth and say that it will be a long time until we see another host nation that takes so much pride in their athletes, venues, and performances as china did. well done china.

all and all a wonderful, rather controversy free olympics (ignoring the whole age thing). china dominated the golds, the u.s. won the total medal count, and jamaica defined themselves as the premier sprinting nation. and now, what's next? well since there was a david beckham kick and london's mayor waving a flag, i guess that means we will be doing this in the uk this time 4 years from now. will they have the guards in hats dancing. correct answer: yes.

in london, i look forward to the records being broken, parents crying for the success of the children, the chills of unfolding stories and the passion of patriotism that comes from host countries and the athletes that play for their nations. as for this glorious event that will be back quicker than we say, "how many medals did phelps win?" we close this fairy tale and say goodbye. thank you to all the athletes, coaches, volunteers, referees, anounchers, and fans. cheers.

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my olympic heroes: part 3 - i am number one

there is no question we witnessed greatness. the historic. the confident. the freakishly tall sprinter, usain "king carl watch out" bolt busted on the olympic scene in the 100. world record. (he broke his own). he had time to look around, pound his chest and write a poem to his equally proud mother. two tenths of a second. two... tenths of a second. really? who does that? my memories from that night are him repeatedly saying, "i'm just happy." truth.

the 200 hundred. the same zeal. the same passion. the same speed. our wonderful nbc announcers "had done the math" and his spilts should be good enough but was his mind ready? in his normally playful self, bolt was cutting up, actin' a fool before the meet and then, the silence. a wave of seriousness struck usain and he was ready. the gun. great start. off the turn. yards away. two tenths of a second. world record. this time, i think he would agree, he had to push the end a bit to break michael johnson's illusive 200 record.

4 x 100 relay- crushed. all the jamaicans needed were to take the opposite path of their american counterparts and pass the baton around the track. they did. with the style and grace of the reggae beat; the jamaican team crushed the "unbreakable" 1980 record. everyone knew they could do it but as their women's side showed, there are no guarantees in relays. hats off gentlemen and extra hat tipped to the anchor, mr. powell. he has served his country with the quiet power of a champion. cheers to all of you.

there is a rumor following great britain's taunting anchor in the 4 x 400 meter relay. bolt who was long raised as a 400 runner (a true prototype for that) and with any fire that the brits may have instilled in him would be ready for a passioned fight. could bolt come back for a fourth olympic gold. time will tell and all i know is i would not want a ticked off usain bolt walking me down on a relay.

we'll see if there is indeed a part four to one of my favorite series of posts to write.

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Before dem pull it...Jamaicans faster dan BULLET!

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Do you know what it means to have a revolution?

One of my favorite recurring moments in life is when a song that I heard when I was growing up reenters my life. Often this happens because of a popular rap song's sampling (i.e T.I's usage of that Crystal Waters track a couple years ago) but I want to go back to the spring semester of 2007, when one of my friends brought me a reggae mixtape she bought while in Queens. We listened to it together, reminescing on the first time we heard many of the classics the mixtape contained. When it got to the final two tracks, I froze. I fervently searched for the cd's tracklisting to confirm what I heard. It had been so long since I heard that wondrous voice remind me that "love and hate can never be friends." Admittedly, this is a simple observation, yet it serves as iconic lyric from the Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Brown.

Hearing this song transported me back to my kitchen on Saturday mornings when my Mom would play 1190 WLIB and the sweet, sweet Reggae music would fill the house and embed itself in my soul. Dennis Brown is one of the most revered artist to bless the genre--in fact, he was the favorite artist of the best artist of the 20th century. "Here I Come" and "Revolution" played back to back on that mixtape and rekindled a love for this artist I had been too young to appreciate.

I remember exactly where I was, that fateful Saturday nine years ago. By then we had switched to 930 am, when Gil Bailey told his listening audience the overwhelming news of Dennis' passing. I was sitting at my mother's computer checking my email and listening to the tribute songs. I did not know why then, but I felt that his music would become an important part of my life.

The songs sounded cool to me then, but I could not fully grasp his social commentary in songs like "Wolves and Leopards" or "Tenement Yard". My adolescent musical appetite was not soothed by his charming wordplay on "Johnny Can't Spell" or "Sitting and Watching." And my ventures with the fairer sex were not extensive enough for me to fully grasp the feeling of having money in my pocket but I just can't get no love.

After playing "Here I Come" and "Revolution" at a family cookout and getting proper approval from my uncles, my reuniting with Dennis Brown's music was complete. They schooled me on his impact on the reggae scene, one uncle told us about seeing him perform live, and insisted that when it came to pure vocal ability, he was unmatched.

I bought a copy of one of the several "greatest hits" albums that have been made for him. I figured this was easier then trying to figure out which of his 78 albums I should choose from. It quickly became the soundtrack for my fall semester. I understood what it meant to have "Money in My Pocket" and it increased my understanding of the musical jewel Dennis Brown is.

Live on Dennis, live on!

(2.1.1957-7.1.1999)

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Dis Blog shall continue even when bloggers have stopped blogging

While digging through my mind's vault, I decided to dedicate a blog to the "one who is always victorious." I remember seeing Muta perform on Def Poetry years back and never really thought to check for him afterword. Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed "Dis Poem" but I never thought to ask any of my family members about him or do research about him on my own.

Last time I was in JA, my dad gave me a CD of dub poetry but I cannot remember if Muta was on it (and for the life of me cannot find that CD now). Nevertheless, beyond Muta's impact in the world of poetry, he is also an active--albeit incredibly controversial--voice at the theological table in Jamaica; often found refuting Christianity and promoting a brand of Rastafarianism that places him as an outlier.

In the following video clip, Muta is on "Religious Hard Talk" with acclaimed journalist Ian Boyne. You can get an idea of his core beliefs or 'livity' and the rhetoric that makes him so, in the very least, bold and challenging to the conventional ways of thought.

Dis clip is one of several conversations between the two (it is titled 1 of 11!) and has been parodied by Jamaican comedians Twin of Twins for their underground classic Stir it Up series. Truth be told, it is their hilarious impressions that led me to research (i.e Wikipedia) Muta and reintroduced me to the man that read that brilliant poem memories before.