Ataklan

My Ataklan CD was stolen from me which left me really sad, (honest) but Ataklan was probably one of the first Rapso Artists that offered something interesting sounding to me that was like hip hop but poetically expressed in my own tongue which I liked so much. Ataklan has a lot of good music throughout his 3 albums which includes a number of memorable songs such as “Flood”, “Spanish Fly” and “Naked Walk” to that Morvant song.

The power of his word: I still like Spider Jam (maybe cause of the comic reference) but it’s still pretty clever taking cultural icons and mixing them up with foreign influences.

Ozy Majiq

Brilliant. Listening to the things Ozy thinks up shows him standing on his own as a true poet and an artist when it comes to Rapso. He continues to inspire me with some of the things he tries and up and comers should pay attention to what he does.

The Power of his word: Ozy has a number of memorable tracks but I particularly like this freestyle he did in transit.

Nacha Dama/Make it Happn

First time I came across Nacha he was kind of unassuming, then he stepped into a freestyle battle with some other local Hip Hop performers and held his own with timing, style and lyrics in a trini tongue, that pretty much blew my mind. What sealed it was seeing him do a set of his music, guitar in hand; someone one to keep an eye on.

The Power of his word: If you come across Nacha’s music (now going by the name Make it Happen) listen to the song Ghetto Child and Small Man. Thought provoking lyrics.

Kindred

Dis trini could flow was pretty much an anthem in my head at the time this song came out. Kindred were the first in my mind to bridge from what Resistance and others before had started to younger minds like myself bringing Rapso in a contemporary setting. Even though Kindred are not on the performing scenes these days, they were influential for what they have done.

The power of their words: Yuh hatta burn to learn.

3 Canal

Who would forget 3 Canal’s blue storming into the Rapso landscape. The imagery and creativity they have brought to Rapso landscape has propelled them to the premiere position. I don’t think I need to speak much about what most people know about them.

The Power of their words: Yeah blue was huge but for me Talk yuh talk is one of the biggest reasons to love Rapso from 3 Canal.

There you go my 5 reason. If you liked these guys should maybe take some time to check out their latest projects. Visit their facebook profile, show them some love, visit their shows let them know how you feel about their work. Say something. Bless!

The room isn’t lit by traditional ceiling lighting. The many computer screens provide enough for the gamers to see their keyboards, and if possible, move from their chairs. Preteens, teenagers and Young Adults each there because of some need to escape whether they are beating the after work traffic, or their parents have them dumped there to kill some time before they can pick up their young ones.

This gaming cafe is a Mecca for many of these individuals and in recent times the number of places like these across the islands has grown. No one really notices what lurks in the shadows of this new pastime for youth.

“Wham dread?” The bigger of the two boys says moving towards the smaller gamer on his left.  Apparently he did not like a preteen beating him in the game they were all playing. He was about to strike the boy when someone stopped him. The boy swung around facing ‘Bellam’ and older gamer who usually hung out on afternoon’s to kill time after work.
“You a mad man or what?” Said Skull now focusing his attention on Bellam.
“ Look, lewwe just focus on playing de game nah. Relax and humble yuh..”
“Humble? What kinda scene you think this is man?” By now most of the cafe was focused on the growing tension between the two.

Skull lead a pack of gamers calling themselves Shadow Skill and they were the largest gaming group on the islands. A lot of the members were at the cafe and they all kicked back their chairs finding position behind Skull.

Bellam decided to change tactics, “Ok look. We good here, have no scene. I just want to finish meh game. See how much times you could catch me on this map.” He said jokingly, but Skull and friends were not laughing.

Instead he turned around and picked up the boy that it had all started with. Bellam got up to try and help and immediately was pushed back onto the floor with a couple keyboards and equipment following after him. The Cafe owner stepped into the room hearing the louder than usual noise. The Boys were throwing items everywhere and a few gamers cowered over in a corner as if for their lives.  When the door opened the boys looked out at the owner. To him it appeared as though a few eyes glowed from the darkness in the corners. It was the last thing he remembered before they attacked him.

With a sigh Rhonda walked up slowly to the silk cotton tree. She is not quite sure what she is doing but thinks that she must get into contact with Mama Dglo to find out about Soucouyant.  Eyes closed she begin to let her mind relax and concentrate.
“Not Bad for Intuition,” Rhonda turned to face a beautiful looking girl, with East Indian features. She had a strange glow to her skin and there was the hint of a song at the end of her words.
“Relax,” She said, realising Rhonda did not know who she was, and she introduced herself.
“ My name is Chutney, and this is Rapso and Ragga.” Two more Young people not unlike herself stepped out from behind the tree. Rapso a slim boy with neat dreads and Ragga looked like Fay-Anne Lyons and her were separated at Birth.
“Let’s say we “intercepted” your call. We also sense soucouyant coming, but we kinda want to do this without de old man knowing. “
Ragga swinging an odd set of keys on her fingers spoke out “ Basically, sistren, we looking for some action.” She grinned.
“But I think we need to get you up to speed, where your friends?”

Adrian looks over the club goers from his tinted glass skybox. The hub of his empire, in revellery, and he their malevolent ruler with little to no challengers to the crown, Mr Gahoor dropped off the radar and Soucouyant long dead.
“I won’t count on relaxing just yet with those thoughts.”
“Only one person could be so annoyingly cryptic,” Adrian turned to face Moko. A mysterious jumbie as ever he walked up next to Adrian looking down at the club.
“Things are about to get complicated again mister man, I hope yuh ready.”
Looking back down onto the dance floor Adrian thought he saw someone with very pale skin and a red dress, just like Madame. When Moko’s disappearing chuckle breaks his concentration on the crowd. Adrian is left to think on what is to come.

Musical Influences for this one:

Fedde Le Grand and Funker man, Wheels in motion.

Faye Ann Lyons Get On.

MSTRKRFT – Heart Beat

Wallpapers and Avatars just click and hover over the images to see what is what. See you next week.

[Show as slideshow]

Adrian was flung into the room. Soucouyant was losing her human form as her chalk white skin started to show. Adrian held his mask trying not to be intimidated. If Moko was right then the power Maljo would protect him.

She watched the mask and opened her hand. The heat of invisible flames burned Adrian’s hands. It soon became too intense and Adrian was forced to put the mask on. Unbelievable power surged through his body.

Soucouyant seemed surprised as Adrian stood looking at her, his eyes burning bright blue. Maljo was telling him things. He stepped closer to her with his hands in a fist, teeth clenched and an almost uncontrollable rage.

Red flame fought for dominance over blue. In another step Adrian held Soucouyant.

“What yuh trying to do now?” he barely managed to get out through a mouth brimming with anger. Madame looked at Adrian, her hands moved over his face. She seemed sad.

“Adrian, why don’t you care for me like I care for you?”

Adrian stammered despite all things he felt for her when he looked into her sad eyes it was evident that she needed someone. He had lost Candace and Rhonda would never accept this life. He was beginning to reach out to Madame when her hands gripped his neck.

Instinctively Adrian screamed out calling on Maljo’s power.

It burned a hole through Soucouyant’s stomach. She tried frantically to maintain her grip on Adrian’s neck but she fell back, weakened by Maljo.

“Why?” she questioned with more hate in her eyes than anything else.

Adrian could not look at her; instead he looked at the broken glass on the ground. “I guess sometimes we must destroy to create.” He looked back at her and only saw smoke in her place. Never did Adrian feel more alone and lost.

Something stepped on some broken glass. Adrian spun around quickly in response to the sound, ready to attack Soucouyant.

“Easy dere. Is only me.” Moko stood in the light, displaying his creepy grin.

“What you want now?” asked the boy.

“Well….” Moko stepped toward him and started walking around him. He held his hands in the air as if to show him the club. “You rule. You maintain balance.

If you need any help just whisper, I’ll be around.”

After Moko left Adrian kneeled slowly to the ground and started to laugh.

“What a fucking mess!” he chuckled.
“Gahoor, stop it now!” Pan’s voice boomed through the caves. Rapso was at his side ready to attack. Gahoor turned around and laughed.

“What you really come here to do, certainly not to stop me?” Gahoor held up a copper mask. “I see that you managed to find the Dragon’s mouth.

Well I have the mouth of the serpent.” Gahoor put on the mask and stepped forward.

“When was the last time we did this? Come on help me now. Ah Yes the

1950′s I think it was. Not even the fire of the people was enough to believe in the idea of Pan eh.”

“Yahhhh!” Pan stormed after Gahoor his hammer catching lightning as it swung through the air. Gahoor immediately transformed into a beast. Parts of him gave way to decay and his left arm and right leg became bone. A stench emanated from him. At the same time the serpent’s mouth grew over his exposed bone, the copper rolling like mercury when heat rises.

It was one of these exposed limbs Gahoor used to parry Pan’s strike. He then punched Pan knocking him back on the ground at Rapso’s feet and started chanting propaganda curses for them.

“Want to try me now boy?”

Startled to see the mighty Pan taken down so easily Rapso held his hand.

Pan spoke to him. “The people’s power is not as strong as it in me as it is in you and can be. They believe in you, draw on that belief it is your strength and help me defeat this monster.”

“I will break you like I broke all the others. What is the profit in these people man come on?” Gahoor walked around the cave circling Pan and Rapso, neither making a move.

The Dragon’s mouth is an impressive relic but so were you Pan-when you were Carne Val. You Kaiso and Mas, not even the combined might of the three of you was able to stop me. Yuh come here now with a young one and think that is a winning formula. Yuh smoking’ or what?”

Pan who had been gathering his strength took his turn to talk.

“Yuh forgetting something, The Dragon’s mouth is the voice of the people.”

He said this taking off the piece and giving to Rapso, he continued. “and the people’s voice is the most powerful weapon you can have.”

“Really? No shit. Was it not me who taught you that lesson stupidee?”

“THE POWER OF THE WORD…” shouted Rapso and Pan continued lifting his hammer

“…IN THE RYTHMN OF THE WORD.” The hammer fell again this time on the ground in front of Gahoor. Rapso’s voice, which sounded like a million men shouting, rocked the entire caves and echoed in time with Pan’s pounding. With every pound Gahoor disintegrated from the shockwaves until only green smoke and the serpent’s mouth remained.