The multi-talented Leonie Samuels performing in the Faith Temple Drama Ministry production, 'Sounds Of Rapture'. - ContributedLEONIE SAMUELS has been synonymous with roots plays, having appeared in 'Obeah Wedding' as Shirley Heartbeat, 'Maama Man' and 'Matie', among other such productions. She has also performed with Cari-Folk Singers and has been featured in 'I Marcus Garvey' and 'Arawak Gold'.
Now she is spreading the Good News of salvation through deejaying, dub-poetry, drama and singing with a Christian message. In fact, she is playing a main role in 'Sounds Of Rapture', produced by the Faith Temple Drama Ministry which is currently on tour in the island and has shows booked until the end of the summer.
"Ninety-eight per cent of the songs I do are from a spiritual perspective, but if I am called upon to do social commentary, I will do it," she told The Gleaner.
One such song addresses delinquent fathers: "Man unnu fi mind unnu yute; Not because yuh an di mumma caan 'gree, yuh a go tek it out pon di pickney."
There is also 'Dem Ah Kill Our Men'; which speaks of the senseless killing of the males from various sectors of the society.
One of her most recent performances was at the Jamaica Federation of Musicians' ecumenical service at The Family Church on the Rock, Kingston. Leonie had the congregation on their feet when she performed a piece entitled 'Brrrrng Brrrrng'.
She delivered lyrics which encouraged the congregation to call on the Lord for every need: "If you have a Holy Ghost pre-paid card then you can talk to the Lord."
Leonie, 34, teaches food and nutrition, home economics and religious education at the Mavis Bank High School. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in nutrition at the University of the West Indies.
In her spare time she has been writing a number of songs.
In fact, she has about 30 original pieces, some of which are dub-poetry, 'gospel-oriented' calypso, reggae and traditional gospel.
Leonie's advice to entertainers is to present "clean lyrics, positive vibes and whatever you do, the aim of it should be to honour and glorify God. Some songs point out the problem and do not offer a solution. If you encourage someone with positive lyrics, God is pleased just the same as if you 'big up' Jesus' name."
This year she entered the JCDC's Speech and Drama competition with a piece entitled 'Missions'.
Leonie has been acting for as long as she can remember and was named 'Actress Of The Year' while a student at Holmwood Technical High School, Christiana, Manchester. She has also won several awards as a dub poet and singer.
Speaking about her love for dub poetry, she said: "It strikes a balance between deejaying and singing and it strikes a cultural chord
in me."
