Yasus Afari

Yasus Afari wears many turbans - artiste, author, philosopher and motivational speaker. But what he is best known as is a poet - an 'artical', Rastafarian dub poet.

He is also becoming a guru of portmanteau words. He calls his craft edutainment - educational entertainment - and recently successfully merged comedy and poetry in a performance format, 'Pomedy'.

His latest work, Kiss Mi Neck, a poetry album rich with the stories of prose, but laced with poetic rhythm, is another noteworthy achievement for Yasus Afari. He veered from the customary drums, horns and guitars that complement dub poetry and, as he said, "relied on the rhythm of the words".

The issues on Kiss Mi Neck include the full gamut of life topics: politics, poverty, global warming, culture and love. And all the poems are delivered with sublime enunciation and gentle flicks of intonations that rhythmically convey the message.

Of course, Yasus Afari is too much of a deep thinker for one album to contain all his ideals.

Dub poetry is normally accompanied by music, but your album is basically a cappella. Why?

This is my sixth album and the others were 'normal', and with the vision and memory of the ancient future, I like to defy definition rather than conform to normality or convention. Actually, this album, to an extent, is in response to the demands of my supporters and fans in the many countries (Jamaica, England, Wales, Barbados, St Lucia, The Gambia, Japan, New Zealand and Australia) that I've toured in recent years.

What were the particular challenges and pleasant surprises you encountered in producing this album, as opposed to previous ones where musical instruments were included?

Challenges: The time frame within which I had to complete this project. Based on my busy schedule and the strength to resist the suggestions of some of my musicians, who offered their services free of cost, was challenging, but my urge to manifest my inspiration triumphed. The technical glitches as well as the tactical and strategic planning of the sessions, especially the studio audience and general coordination of this unprecedented project, was a challenge also."

Pleasant Surprises: 1) The response and awe of the various engineers, harmonisers, the live studio audience (especially the children and youths) at Tuff Gong and Anchor Recording Studios. For example, engineer Spiderman of Dynamic Studio, Tuff Gong and Anchor Studios said in his 30+ years he has not enjoyed mastering an album as much as Kiss Mi Neck. 2) The fact that so many people said they didn't miss the music as the songs/poems felt like they had music. 3) People coming to the studio and waiting until 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. just to hear 'Komplex', 'Kiss Mi Neck' and others.

Were the natural sound effects (Yasus beats his chest and crows like a rooster in 'The Travelling Son') a result of not using any instruments?

Not really. I just stretched my imagination, innovation, artistry, creativity and aspirations on this album, so I didn't hold back. As people listen some more they will hear a lot more innovation and creativity on this album."

You're an advocate for formalising patois (The opening track on the album is 'Patwah Taakin'). What's the advantage of this and is it recommended seeing that youth learn the dialect naturally and our children already struggle to write and speak Standard English?

I advocate the formalisation of Patwah as well as its radicalisation so as to keep the revolutionary edge and conquer new horizons.We think in the language we speak and naturally/heartically speak in the language in which we think. Therefore, we are more effective, confident and efficient when we communicate in our heart language.

The Jamaica Language Unit (at the University of the West Indies) found out in a four-year pilot project that students become more assertive, confident, expressive and interested when classes were conducted in the Jamaican language (Patwah). In addition to this, democracy and student 'full-ticipation' heightened when Patwah was used as the language in class.

Patwah actually helps students with all subjects, including English, and it is well documented that bi or multi-lingual skills are beneficial to learning.

Throughout the album you make references to 'par-lie-ment' and the 'po-lie-ticians'. How do you avoid the awkwardness when you rub shoulders with politicians at formal events or perform at a government function?

The politicians who are worth or merit the concern know fully well that poets and other meaningful thinkers must challenge the establishment in order for us to grow, develop and evolve as a nation. I challenge respectfully and, in an honourable way, exercise my poetic licence. Otherwise 'who waan please, please and who waan vex, vex'. I and I have to de-construct colonialism and neo-colonialism by confidently and responsibly re-asserting our identity and reality.

Your views and beliefs seem to be those of an enlightened minority. What is it that you seem to understand about the world and how it works and how people in power operate that the majority doesn't?

Nothing is the unqualified state of everything so (anything and) everything is just a qualification of nothing. Yesterday, today was tomorrow and tomorrow, today becomes yesterday. The past shapes the present and the present shapes the future which connects with the past to complete the cycle. Therefore, that which was, is that which is and that which is to be.

Humanity is a family with mother, father and children, like the sun, moon and stars. Everything which is without is within. Matter exists in three fundamental forms - solid, liquid and gas, and energy creates and cannot be created nor destroyed. We are all created equal, with a purpose, time, place and season and everyone and everything is relative and the 'iniverse' is mental.

(I say all of this to say) don't bury your thoughts, bring your visions into reality by all honourable means necessary and be confident in the victory of good over evil. This is our/I and I divine destiny as we march triumphantly into the ancient and immortal future, so we shape our own reality and destiny and we must shoulder this responsibility, no one can do it for us.

I saw where you said somewhere that you've travelled to more than 37 countries and there is none as special as Jamaica. What's so unique to us?

It has now reached 39 countries.

Jamaican is the essence and soul of the people Christ-Joseph who was crucified on the international cross of slavery and colonialism and buried in the sepulchre of death and captivity and due to the love and mercy of the Most High we have conquered and survived to become the people and champion of human rights and of the black resurrection. We thereby breathe new thoughts, hope, perspectives and one love in the temple of the family of humanity in advancing the welfare of the entire human community. This gives us a unique character and personality within the human family.

There are suggestive references to sex and man and woman relationship ('iPen', 'Mental Orgasm') even when the topic has nothing to do with sex. Was that done just for word play or are you subtly emphasising a point?

Well, I am a poet who 'full-joys' working with words, but I am always and forever making/emphasising a point. You see, I have already said the 'iniverse' is mental and I 'full-joy' mental intercourse. However, sex and man/woman relationship actually borrow terminologies from other disciplines and that is a point that I also try to emphasise. Also, in my poetry, I willingly lend my philosophy and thoughts to the dignity and sanctity of sex and human sexuality.

We are currently experiencing one of the warmest summers ever. Global warming is a hot-button topic across the globe. On 'Friends of the Earth' you talk about the importance of protecting Mother Earth and she will, in turn, protect us. Is it too late for an amicable reconciliation with Mother Earth?

I don't think so, even though I must confess that I am not very hopeful for the culprits of humanity. Even so, I think there is hope for reconciliation with our Mother Earth. In this we all can be confident, if all else fails then Mother Earth will vomit and Father Time will sneeze so that the foundations of the Earth will be shaken again, for the second time, and the only thing that shall remain, is that which was there from the foundation of creation. So while we get modern with microwave don't lose the ability and knowledge to rub two sticks to make a fire; and while we use the pharmaceutical drugs, don't forget the herbs and medicinal food; and while we drive SUVs and take space crafts, don't sell our donkeys. Therefore, as the original custodians of the planet Mother Earth, let us cultivate and preserve a sustainable existence with the immortal memories of the ancient future.