The impending visit to the UK of Mutabaruka, world renowned poet, recording artist, broadcaster, and philosopher , provides an ideal opportunity to continue our discussion about the relationship between artists and the (liberation/conscious) movement.
Muta was lamenting this state of affairs three decades ago:
“Revolutionary words ‘ave become entertainment
Revolutionaries.. babblin’ out angry words
About changes we need, de system greed
While they take it for a joke, sniffin’ on coke
Revolutionary words bein digested with
Bubble gums, pop corn, ice cream
In tall inter-continental buildings”(1)
Hip hop recording artist and actor Joey Bada$$ offers a perspective on this conundrum:
“”Sixty years ago we had speakers, we had civil rights leaders and these people were famous on a rock star level, Now today we don’t have these leaders. The people now who have the power to move people are rappers. These rappers are not taking the responsibility that they really need to be taking.” (2)
In many respects the argument was played out earlier this year in the wake of R&B megastar Beyonce’s halftime performance where she apparently referenced Omowale Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party.While some saw this as an act of courage (3), others regarded the artist as the antitheses of black consciousness. (4)
Whatever, the perspective on Beyonce’sFormation saga, it is probably accurate to say that while few would have expected the singer to attempt something so controversial on such a platform nobody really knows if it is the result of some kind of conscious epiphany or a shallow artistic flourish.
Conversely reggae music has a history of producing waves of conscious artists from the early roots of the likes of Burning Spear and Culture going against the grain by chanting Marcus Garvey and Afrika, through to artists like Capelton, Sizzla and Anthony B to the current crop like Chronixx, Jah9 and Kabaka Pyramid.The latter is certainly in the tradition activist artist given his role in co-initiating the ‘Occupy Pinnacle’ Movement. (5)
While the responses to Mutabaruka’s visit to the UK demonstrates that he is undoubtedly popular, he, along with the likes of Kabaka Pyramiddo not have the megastar platform to mediate their conscious message.On the other hand they are far more well known than most activists or leaders but having Rastafari as a foundation translates into to constructive message.Those without such a foundation it appears to be solely a matter of where their (or their marketing team’s) inclination takes them at any given time.
(1) Mutabaruka (1987) Revolutionary Words. From LP The Mystery Unfolds.
(2) Tom Barnes (16/12/14) These Are the 13 Best Protest Artists of Our Generation. https://mic.com/articles/106494/these-are-13-best-protest-artists-of-our-generation#.prWwqYldl.
(3)Ronda Racha Penrice (10/02/16) Former Black Panthers react to Beyoncé’s Super Bowl performance. http://thegrio.com/2016/02/10/former-black-panthers-react-beyonce-super-bowl/ andIan Mohr & Sophia Rosenbaum (08/02/16) Malcolm X’s family loved Beyoncé’s Super Bowl tribute. http://pagesix.com/2016/02/08/malcom-xs-family-loved-beyonces-super-bowl-tribute/.
(4)Kehinde Andrews (11/02/16) Beyonce’s ‘bootylicious’ sexualisation of black women isn’t inspiring – and her politics leave a lot to be desired http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/beyonces-bootylicious-over-sexualisation-of-black-women-isnt-inspiring-and-her-politics-leave-a-lot-a6867561.html and Ajamu Baraka, release (10/02/16) Beyonce and the Politics of Cultural Dominance. http://www.blackagendareport.com/beyonce_politics_social_dominance
If the ‘revolutionaries have become entertainers’ do the entertainers need to become more responsible?
If so, how can this happen?
Can a conscious leader ever reach “rock star” level?
Can the symbiotic relationship between the Rastafari Movement and conscious reggae music be replicated elsewhere?
Our very special guests: Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 30 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations andEducation: An African-Centred Guide To Excellence.
Mutabaruka. is globally known as a leading exponent of dub-poetry and has released over a dozen music/poetry LPs and four books of poetry. He began examining and immersing himself in the Rastafari movement in the late 1960s and is sought after exponent on Rastafari Livity. Muta currently hosts the world wide syndicated and highly regarded and controversial Cutting Edge and Steppin’ Razor shows on Irie FM in Jamaica, dealing with and wide range of issues including spirituality, history, culture, politics and music. Muta is also known to many for starring as Shango in Haile Gerima’s award winning feature film Sankofa.
Nat Nye: Nat Nye is known as a Spoken Word Alchemist, having dedicated the past 7 years to the craft, he has performed at countless events in and around the UK at prestigious venues and events. He has built a reputation as a true exponent of educational entertainment (edutainment) with his unique, hard-hitting delivery and the thought provoking, multi-layered natured themes of his poems filled with literary techniques that wow audiences with his word play, patterns and metaphors. A consistent comment on Nat Nye’s poetry is that repeat audience members can hear the same poem several times and get something new each time. Watching and listening to Nat Nye is a poetry master class in and of itself.
Ras Asheber: The Musikal Medicine Man, Spearhead of the Roots Renaissance Movement and Afrikan Revolution Collective Originator of Sankofa Beat.
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