Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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PLATFORM FOR CREATIVE MELTDOWNS EDITOR’S NOTE
Firstly, let me explain myself. sue and it is heavier and richer previous ones. It is overflowin content that I was not able to ple illustration of the richness talent that Jamaica has to offer to the middle and ask “How Think twice cause the best is ye enjoy the work of the most ins photographer Adrian Mcdona find his ‘beauties’ across the between, there are outstanding Taj Francis, henna tattoos, je music, Jamaican film and Jam on absolutely positive Polish r mil Bednarek. Oh...and did y what is going on with these be explained this trend to you t me present to you this thick, ri sweetness issue no 5 for you sure…
Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
Ania Orlowska
This is a 5th isr than any of the ng with amazing deny. It’s a sims of culture and r. When you get w much more?”et to come… To spiring Jamaican ald, you have to whole issue. In g illustrations of ewelry, Jamaican maican influence reggae artist Kayou ever wonder earded guys? We too… now…let ich and dripping ur viewing plea-
5
CREDITS
ISSUE
Editor in Chief Ania Orlowska Creative & Art Direction Kerron Riley Managing Editor Lina Komin Graphic Artist Kerron Riley Advertising & Creative Contribution Marko Depender www.bassculture.nl Special thanks: Photographer ADRIAN MCDONALD Caribbean Creativity Bassculture Foundation Andre Choo Quan Coppa Stone Cover : Photography by Kerron Riley Model: Lisa Marie Brown
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w w w. t h e o r l o w s k a . c o m
SUMMARY click on icon for more info
Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
Lizelle Guinness
120
Roger Seepersad
Bacchanal Jamaica
106
Kingston Rap
Mark Samuels
92
Storm Saulter
132 144 106
Kamil Bednarek
Taj Francis
80 20
Kim Lee-Inniss
Movie Review
Herbalize -it
52
Beard Movement
66 154 42
Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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The TENFOLD Opus proje ct
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Jamaica
T
enfold
The TENFOLD Opus project is a collaborative effort with several producers and musicians. The project is an Audio-Visual Album, I don’t want to give away too much about its’ final state, but it will be a mixture of genres. The new video I’m releasing is very different from the previous one done with reggae artists: Protoje and Chronixx. It is a different genre all together, and the imagery is a little darker and more personal. It is less of a “commercial” release, and more of an expressive statement piece. I don’t want to say too much of what it means to me, because I’m more interested in seeing what people take away from it for themselves, and not influence that with my own view.
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A
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rt & Music
I definitely feel like there are close ties with music and art, I’ve always been inspired by music and sound, and it’s the whole reason why I decided to do this TENFOLD Opus project. Both music and art are the result of a creative mind, tools, and a medium to deliver it in. The creator, whether visual artist or musician is the core aspect of making great art, you can draw so many parallels from them. The two disciplines support each other so well. We see it in cinema, music videos, live concerts are way more exciting when you are visually stimulated as well, even television commercials. What I’m doing isn’t an entirely new thing; I’m just packaging it and delivering it in a different way, and for people to see it from my perspective, as a contemporary artist of sorts.
J
amaica
The art scene in Jamaica is constantly growing. It isn’t as strong as the music scene is, or other art scenes, but it is getting there. So many talented, creative minds have been constantly buzzing and trying new things and getting their art out there. I believe art in Jamaica is more active now, than it has ever been in this country, so I am very optimistic about it. I see a bright future for it, from those doing it now, and especially from the youth coming up.
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The TENFOLD Opus
ONE L AST TIME Comin g soon
Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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ure Islands
T r i n i d a d & To b a g o
THE BEARD M O V E M E N T E X P L A I N E D by Mikhail Ragoonanan
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Photography: Elise Romany Outfitted by Millhouse
Mikhail is born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. He owns a private gym in San Juan, Trinidad. He works full time as a personal trainer with over 50 clients. He loves seeing people happy when they achieve a goal. He also won the bronze medal in the 2014 National Championships in Trinidad as an amateur boxer. Once a while he does some modeling and has passion for anything adventurous and physical. He loves to travel. Most of all, he is a proud member of The Bearded Villains and he explains to us what the Beard movement is really about. How to become a hood. So it has it’s perks of meeting some really member? There are beard movements by different groups all around the world. Basically, you become a member by being a positive role model for bearded men. Most of the groups are on social media. Once you have a great beard and you start posting pictures and hash tagging them, beard groups will take notice and be interested in affiliation. When they post a photo of you on their Instagram page, you become a member. You receive a digital patch made by them with your name on it. People in the group start talking to you from all around the world. It’s more like a brother-
cool people. Most of it is just for fun and a way to look exclusive or cool compared to people without beards. Beard movements are always positive.
Who joins this movement?
The people that join it are guys with amazing beards. It represents masculinity for obvious reasons. It represents exclusivity and uniqueness. I always get compliments anywhere I am, all the time about my beard. It represents going against the norm. Growing up, I was always told rules. “Look clean, dress well, be quiet, respect elders” etc. I’m not the type
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of person to follow. I think that’s why I hated school. I always believed from a young age that I had better answers and better ideas than everyone else. Most of guys listen to their parents and follow their jobs description where they have to be clean shaved. I love being on the opposite end. Somehow people gravitate towards going against the status quo. Especially when you do it right.
True man is…
Everyone has their own opinion of what a true man is. In my opinion it has nothing to do with his looks. A true man is an exceptional human being that represents positivity to his fellow people and the world he lives in.
Perfect beard is… I not saying every guy should grow a beard, but they would be missing out on all the fun bearded guys have. It’s a blessing. Some guys are blessed with height and some guys are blessed with beard.
life interesting, fun and There are lots of it gives you something ugly beards, guys to look back on. Do who can’t grow you remember looking it fully and guys at pictures of your dad who don’t know how to trim it. The with an Afro when that beard must be ta- was in style or with bell bottom pants? Those pered so it does not make your face pictures are so cool! look round. You Any benefits? There can grow the hair around your chin is no real significant as long as you want benefits, it’s basically but the sides must just for fun or to enbe faded into your hance your look and sideburns and be in gives you a sense of style line with your face. in the moment. Living Also the start hairs in the moment is someon your cheeks can thing people forget. One of the benefits I got is be shaved to give the beard a neater meeting more people, that way I can market and fuller effect. my business to more people. Meeting friends Trend or all over the world and lifestyle?
It is in trend now and I believe it will come and go as all trends, but a great looking beard will always be a spectacle to look at. I didn’t always have a beard. I grew it because I was blessed with the genetics to grow a full, amazing beard and just for the fun of it. So why not flaunt my gifts. It was in trend and I started it before most guys so I was ahead of the curb. I always am one step ahead. Trends are what keep
getting publicity like this interview.
Do women love or hate it? To women
it’s a love-hate relationship. But I can’t see why they won’t like it unless it’s untidy or just doesn’t suit the person. I know some women love it to death and some women want to shave my face in my sleep. You might as well kill me while you are at it! It’s one or the other!
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Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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Copywriting . Photography . Consultancy
www.dudesi
. Graphic design . Web design . Social media
inyourface.com
The Netherlands
Herbalize 窶的t
Sound System
Satisfying that quench for good music
Photography by Scaro Levi (Sound Addict TV)
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Herbalize-it is a reggae/dancehall sound system rooted in The Netherlands in town called Enschede (EnSka-Day). In 1998, Stef and Sultan officially started the sound out of their love for reggae music. Between 1998 and 2005 Herbalize-it saw a few members come and go, but from 2006 after the addition of D-One, followed later by Souljah, Fyah Monk, Carlito and Dave, the sound has been blessed with a solid team and dedicated family, all with the same goal of keeping the ship smoothly sailing forward. Sultan, the MC of this sound, explained to us all about the culture of sound systems and sound clashes. Although many musical compositions for what we do comes known as riddims with first, the rest is then easy. have seen a Dj and Mc on stage, text performed by artists We find a way to always people still might usually saying how big entertain and educate; wonder: what ac- and bad your sound is. the two most importtually is a sound These tunes are called ant things for us when we step onto that stage. dubplates and if done system? Well, nowadays there are different definitions and varied opinions of what a soundsystem is. We can only say what a soundsystem is to us and what our vision is for our sound. Firstly, we try to stay true to the original idea of the Jamaican soundsystem culture, which is basically a DJ or selector playing reggae music and an MC complementing the music with relevant speeches to further entertain, entice and “hype� the crowd. A real soundsystem has its own unique tunes, recorded on known
right are exclusive only to your sound. Then a real soundsystem clashes. Competitions where different soundsystems enter a musical battle. A battle where strategy, tune selection, quality dubplates and a unified attack of selector and MC are essential elements for achieving victory. Then there is the party side. And here it is also very important for us that we can perform and satisfy any crowd regardless of their musical preference and knowledge about reggae music or soundsystem culture. This is where our love
Creating memories, satisfying that quench for good music and quality entertainment.
Tell us a bit more about sound clash culture. What makes it so popular? We are seeing an international resurrection of sound clash culture and this is fantastic. The scene was getting a bit boring and clash fans lost their excitement and motivation to go witness clashes. In the last couple years things are slowly turning around and
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the buzz is coming back. We hold a yearly clash here in Europe called War Ina East and for ten years we have seen constant growth into the biggest sound clash in Europe and one of the most anticipated and respected clashes worldwide. We focus on entertainment. Soundclash is a very underground genre and the true fans demand authenticity. It’s a new generation so you have to think outside the box to make it interesting, while staying true to the authentic nature of the sound clash. A few
weeks ago in Berlin we held this year’s edition and the event was sold out. Why? Because people were curious and had that desire to be a part of something great. So in our experience and opinion clash culture would continue to grow as long as the masses still have that interest and excitement.
You have been to Jamaica many times. What is the biggest difference you can see when it comes to sound systems
from the island and the European ones? It all depends on the soundsystem but the main differences would always be the language and knowledge. European MC’s would never have that original “yardie accent” notorious with soundsystems. Growing up and living in the Caribbean also exposes you to the music and culture 24/7. Unconsciously you absorb things from your environment that forms your character and influences
your mentality. Europeans must learn about the culture whereas, for Caribbean soundboys, it comes from a natural confident ease. When it comes to clashing, European sounds tend to be a bit more organised and prepared since sometimes you might be going up against a sound from the Caribbean with an extensive dub-box with every artist imaginable. When you don’t have this luxury, a well thought out plan is necessary. Again, this is not always the case but it is a characteristic of European sounds.
You are a MC of the sound, how
imporant is this job in the overall success of the sound? How do you know what the crowd needs to have a good time? The MC is seen as the front man of the sound and the person the public identifies with. I love my role in Herbalize-it because I have a great supporting team each and every time I step onto that stage. A sound cannot survive without a good MC. It’s just not possible and that’s due to the DNA of a soundsystem and the nature of clashing if winning is on
your agenda. In Herbalize-it knowing what the crowd needs is the least of my worries with a selector like D-One on the turntables. There are of course moments when I suggest a tune or two but basically my job is to make sure that every tune gets delivered with the right energy. Being aware of the massive is key for us and after doing this for so long you just know how to optimize and get the most out of your performance. The younger team of Carlito (selector) and Dave (MC) are growing with this same blue-print to make sure and hold up our title of “Europe’s Party Machine”.
Herbalize it is one of the most recognized reggae/ dancehall sound systems. How did you guys get to this level? What does it take?
our love for Herbalize-it and love for this music and culture is too great and goes before the individual. Plus if you know us, then you would know we love to have a good time. We’re a fun, crazy, party loving group with insane energy and peoHard work and more ple see it loud and clear. hard work. Having a clear plan, staying focus It’s who we are, no faking, no show. Our advice and being original is what we do. We have dis- to sounds on their way up would be most of all putes and quarrels but
be yourselves and find your own identity. Be prepared to work hard and make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons.
Where is the best reggae/dancehall cr We have had amazing crowds in so many different countries
The best/most memorable performance of Herbalize it? Tel Aviv Israel 2009
The best dancehall tune ever ? Doesn’t exist but the best dancehall artist ever for us are Supercat, Buju and Vybz Kartel
rowd?
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Herbalize -it in 3 words?
Professional, Energetic, Passionate
The best reggae tune ever?
Doesn’t exist but Beres Hammond all the way when it comes to reggae
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TASTE BUDS
Organic W
Leliegracht 8 1015DE Ams
CHOCOLATE
Wild Raw
sterdam The Netherlands
Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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Trinidad & Tobago
Kim Lee-Inniss
Jewellery Designs
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Photo by Kerron Riley Model Starlet Lewis
Although she applied for Graphic Design Program at Ontario College of Art and Design, she ended up in Material Art & Design Program where first semester proved enough of an introduction into this world.
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‘Jewelry design grounded me, I am happy creating in this art form, because of its’ sheer beauty, the freedom with which to play and the patience required to make something even more beautiful. ‘
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‘I sold pieces to people of all ages from 16 to 40 +. As long as they love my pieces I am very happy.’
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‘I want to create a brand that continues to find people in many parts of the world in all walks of life.’
“This is what I am going to do for the rest of my life.”
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Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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Photo b
by Kerron Riley
Kamil Bednarek
Poland
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about Jamaica, new album and Dre a m s
Kamil Bednarek is one of the top reggae artists in Poland. Playing annually over 100 gigs in the most prominent festivals and venues, he has earned a legion of devoted fans, and his music resonates across ages. Kamil’s upcoming album was partially recorded in Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica, a country that has profoundly inspired him. It’s a story about a man, who dreamed of the distant land, free minded people, and, above all, its music. It’s a story about an artist and a great talent who has followed his dreams all the way to the top of the Polish music charts. Let’s talk about spectives in my country versely we can’t teach Jayour new album for the youth that follow maican musicians to play dreams are not the Polish highland songs on “I’m breathing” their promising. I want- a violin the way the high(“Oddycham” in most to collect all my joy- landers do. The approach Polish). What is ed memories, record an to music is completespecial about it? ful and share them ly different… but these What does it rep- album with people. kinds of disparity can be resent to you? prolifically educational. “I’m breathing” it is an Is there any dif- However, I think in many album which contains aspects these two styles all of my best memories ference between of reggae have a lot in of the past two years. It’s Polish reggae and common. reggae an emotionally charged Jamaican work. I don’t have a fa- music? vorite song; every tune One must consider the When you recordreminds me of a certain era when the music was ed in Jamaica in time in my life, some sort created to reflect on the Tuff Gong Studios of exceptional moments. differences. Jamaican reg- did you have time Certainly, the hardest gae music was born as a to experience Jaone to sing was the song prayer, but it has evolved maican culture? my father wrote for my mom. Our relationship over the years was not always perfect but lately he has been very supportive. I thought that recording this song would be a nice gesture of my appreciation. Nowadays, people need more joy, time seems to accelerate perpetually and the per-
since then. I do not play pure reggae, I mix different genres to create my unique sound. There is a connecting element: in the 80s Polish and Jamaican reggae was a ‘fighting’ music. When it comes to playing reggae, we cannot perform like Jamaican musicians; the reggae is in their blood. Con-
I loved it when we were out in town. We found some time to enjoy the culture and see the everyday Jamaica, not just the one from pictures and beautiful beaches. The nature is absolutely amazing, it’s green everywhere, full of fruits and fish…I love fruits…I definitely could live there.
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Photo by Kerron Riley
The coolest thing about it is that you don’t need money to survive there, there is lots of sun, just amazing…but, there is also a downside to it. The poverty causes the place to be unsafe. Of course the places that we have visited with our guide were not dangerous, as we walked the streets of Kingston, but some areas are troublesome and should be avoided. It is very inspiring to immerse in the ‘third world’ culture: the streets that are not as hectic as ours, and there are no brand new cars or ostentatious-
ly dressed people. Jamaica is completely different with different rules. I believe that anyone empathetic to other people would feel humbled here. It is such a meaningful disparity between the lifestyle in Poland and Jamaica. I think that Jamaicans, living in small villages are much happier than the Europeans with our perpetual chase of the money god.
Recently I have watched a movie about your trip to Jamaica. Have
you fulfilled your dreams yet? What advice would you give to young talents who still dare to dream?
I actually fulfilled all my biggest dreams but with each one a new one is born. The lifetime dream has already come true; it was my visit to Jamaica. If I was to give an advice... these days’ young people have very little humility. If your dream is about music and being famous you definitely have to watch the distance towards yourself, the music
Photo by Kerron Riley
industry and showbusiness. Humility is very important. This word stuck to me as it helps you to see your own mistakes and allows you to grow much faster. You should never force anything, but if you truly believe in what you doing it will happen. In life, when you do something with a pure heart you attract good people who would help you to reach your goals. At this point, cooperation and mutual respect are of the most importance.
Questions From Fans: How important are your fans to you?
They are very important, and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be singing. It’s a symbiotic relationship: I give them my energy and they give me theirs in exchange. Of course, awards and radio play are very rewarding, but I’m happiest when my fans come to see me perform.
How do you cope with being away from your closest
friends and family while on tour?
There are really hard moments. Luckily, my mates in the band are great and they help me cope a lot. I’m happy to tour with them and the fact, that I can pour my heart out to them when it’s needed, helps to take some weight of the world off my shoulders.
will be a special concert. Ostroda Reggae festival is celebrating 15th anniversary and Reggaeland festival 10th anniversary, the festivals are joining their forces and I’m happy to be a part of this.
Do you plan to take part in any TV shows as a part of jury or coach?
Due to lack of free time I Will you be per- won’t be able to take part forming at this in any shows, definitely year’s Ostroda not as a jury. I think I do Reggae Festival? not have enough expeYes, I will be there and it rience yet to be able to
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Photo by Kerron Riley
judge a talent, but being a coach…it worked out before so if I had an opportunity and time for it I would do it again.
more about tricky people. To be honest there are moments when I feel like giving up and hiding from everyone. I think that everyone has moments like this, and it’s great to have a getaway place. I have one but I won’t reveal where it is.
Do you ever have moments of doubt and want to run away to hide from all the fans and meIs there anything dia? Often, at the end of very that people in Jalong tour, I feel burnt maica have what out. Especially when I we, here in Poland, meet a lot of needy peo- lack?
ple and I’m not talking Jamaicans find happiness about fans who want an on their island much easautograph or a photo. It’s ier than we do here; I
think it’s all rooted in culture. We, in Europe, are always in a hurry to reach our goal, which primarily is financial. They have a different approach to life. I’m positive that sometimes they also would like to get away and experience the life we live, but I don’t think it would be for the better.
TASTE BUDS
Organic W
Leliegracht 8 1015DE Amsterdam The Netherlands
CHOCOLATE
Wild Raw
Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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Jamaica
Mark Samuels H
e
nn
a
T h r e a d s
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What started as a tribute to his friend Rushay AngeliquĂŠ Young grew to be his daily life, his work and passion. Mark Samuels is a Jamaica based henna artist. He has been practicing henna for the past 4 years. He tells us about his work, gives us beauty henna advice and shares his latest project. Exclusively for Bassculture Islands, Mark Samuels reveals his new work - face painting. Each pattern I make is my own. I actually have a strict policy against copying the work of others but I will do reinterpretations upon request. I used to just combine the different elements from the traditional Indian style of henna in different ways, but these days I have my own style that is informed by nature and plant forms. I have also developed a unisex style that many persons seem to gravitate towards these days. Although henna is commonly used by women, quite a few men get henna done as well. Most of my male clients ask for less flowery line work. Generally, they prefer designs with a more restricted look, rather than something that is freeform. Henna dye and tattoo inks are quite different and should not be confused. Like tattoo ink, however, it is just an artistic medium that can be translated into all sorts of imagery, like all other artistic media.
“The time that natural henna lasts for is a week. If you want good looking and long lasting henna, then you should keep the henna paste on your skin for a minimum of 6 hours. Avoiding water for 24-48 hours after the henna paste is removed from the skin is crucial to the process�
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“One of the BIGGEST myths about henna is that the stain will not show on dark skin. It DOES NOT MATTER HOW DARK YOUR SKIN IS. Henna will always show on your skin as long as the instructions are correctly followed.”
FACE PAINTING by Mark Samuels
Exclusively for Bassculture Islands
Even though I am inspired by henna for the creation of these patterns the original inspiration for marking the face actually came from anime and manga like “Zoids - Chaotic Century”, “Tenchi Muyo” and “Mononoke Hime”. In these anime the characters often times had facial markings that helped to define them. I suppose it left a really strong impression on me and when I started painting faces I wanted to recreate that same aesthetic that I found in the anime characters, but the influence of the henna just came naturally in the process.
The process 1. The model is covered in a coat of waxy body paint, which becomes the base for my canvas. 2. I apply a layer of neon paint over the model which becomes the texture of the skin. 3. The design is done in a fluorescent paint that I cone out in the same way that I do henna.The patterns are informed as much by my feelings as they are by the shape of the models face.
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Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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a n a h c c a B Ja
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al a c i a m a
Photographer : Anthony E. MaugĂŠe
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Photographer : Amiel Barrimond
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Photographer : Anthony E. MaugĂŠe
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Photographer : Anthony E. MaugĂŠe
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Photographer : Anthony E. MaugĂŠe
Do’s & Dont’s for Bacchanal Jamaica Carnival
Anthony E. Maugée
1. Do bring
your posse (circle of friends) with you. You have to experience this carnival with your peoples
4. Do not
speed when driving – Jamaican police officers are no joke (although they do mistake people for Machel)
7. Do sample
the variety of wines. A Trini wine is very different from a Bajan wuk up, also different from a Jamaican bubble
2. Do not miss
any parties or limes. It’s a full week of events
5. Do go to
Hellshire for the local cuisine “odd” location the seafood food and the prices are fantastic
8. Do go to
Maiden Cay and enjoy the beautiful water, the marvelous sand and the unimaginable vibe and positive energy that it provides
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3. Do drink
Appleton Rum VX, 21 Year or Reserve. Even if you are not a rum drinker, any one of these 3... Heavenly 6. Do not leave any valuables in any car, at any location, at any time!!! 9. Do not wear your beads when jumping into the ocean … they will be lost
10. Do play
Mas (in costume). Bacchanal Jamaica Road March is in our Top 3
Leizelle Guinness Art based on fear and love. Trinidad & Tobago
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I use, pens, coloured pencils, graphics, beach clay, and acrylic paint. I love layers upon layers and adding lots of textures and details to my work, it makes it interesting and enjoyable getting lost and upping my dopamine and serotonin whilst doing it. Some ideas are a quick thought though, yearning to be doodled, for example the avocado doodle is a joke about being the right kind of fat and being a little overweight myself it was kinda of a “duh” type of thing you know. As for the cockroaches, I get hysterical or as Trinis would say “dotish” when I see one, so I thought by doing a series on them it would have somehow break the vicious cycle of their jedi mind tricks with me. Did it work? Well let’s just say my heart survived seeing one of them fly across the room last week. I have this obsession with birds as a kid, my family’s main income was selling chickens/fowl.
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The recurring birds drawing, doodle or painting is an ode to that period in my life as a child and now as adult and artist. I draw and base most of my creations on fear and love, as with the cockroaches, I have a big fear and love for frogs and I dealt with them by publishing my first children’s storybook “Poppitz the Frog who Flew” – This is a story of a young frog whose wish is to fly, but faces a harsh reality and aims to find another way to fulfil his dreams – a dream I think most of us share, to fly! I mean how awesome would that be?! As for my dog drawings, one of my biggest passions is my love for those furry creatures, a lot of my time is spent, loving and trying to help in whatever way I can to raise awareness for their cause. My dogs are probably the reason I’m still alive today. Like art, they are my salvation.
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Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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Phagwa
pho to g raphy
Trinidad & Tobago
Roger Seepersad
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“I wanted the people behind the colours to shine through” What makes a perfect picture?
A good photo tells a full story in one image, it shows person’s feelings, personality and the whole story happening when it was taken. What makes you want to take your camera out and take a picture? I always feel like I should have my camera on me because when you miss something or the moment is gone, you can’t have it back… I am always willing and ready. A lot of times I look at colors that attract my attention… even a colorful dust bin on the street can make me grab a camera. What is the ‘higher’ purpose of photographers in the world? Do they have a special role for humanity? Photographers tell stories; we just look at things differently as if we are looking at something for the first time… It’s very important that we do that… And everything matters to us the colors, shapes and angels… We influence the humanity by delivering to them images of faraway places, situations and people, capturing moments important for the whole world.
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The Celebration The festival of Phagwa is celebrated throughout Trinidad and Tobago by the Hindu community, a religion practiced by about 20% of the country’s population. Its’ date is marked by the full moon in March each year. Known as the Festival of Colours, Phagwa, or Holi, is popular for its vibrant and ubiquitous colours, which are created by participants throwing coloured dye known as ‘abeer’ on friends and strangers alike. Despite Phagwa being a Hindu festival, as with any other religious celebration in Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s unique multi-cultural make up allows for non-Hindus to take part as well.
This Series When people think of ‘Phagwa’, they think of faceless people in a sea of colours. Most photos just show the action of throwing colour, but I wanted viewers to be able to feel connected to the celebration not just through colours but through the participant’s reaction and feelings. The way I chose to show this is by going at it in more of a portraiture style. I wanted the people behind the colours to shine through.
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Basscultu
Find us on
ure Islands
Graphic by Supa Nova
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It is a known fact that Kingston is the undisputed capital of reggae music and culture. What many don’t know though, is that deep, within the immense shadow of Reggae, lays a burgeoning, underground Kingston hip hop scene. Jeff Chang (American journalist & Hip Hop music critic), describes hip-hop as a “generation-defining global movement” that was “forged in the fires of the Bronx and Kingston, Jamaica;” due to the fact that DJ Kool Herc (who was originally born in Kingston) is credited with originating Hip Hop music at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, during the early 1970s, in New York City. Hence the organic connection between the two cultures of Reggae & Hip Hop that has always existed. Here in Volume 1 of “JA Universe Chronicles “, you will meet three heavyweights of the underground Kingston Hip Hop scene: Five Steez, Sly Rankin & DJ Inkstinkz. A super hero’s Mo- name stuck from there. make my music more personal so I added my dus Operandi, or MO, is that they Sly Rankin: My given real last name, “Rankin.” always need a se- name is Jason Rankin. Coincidentally “Rankin” Sly Rankin is the mon- was also an old Jamaican cret identity, so what is your giv- iker/nickname/stage slang word for “O.G.” so en name? What is name. Sly is an adapta- it worked well. your stage name? tion from my first ever Five Steez: My given What is the story rap name “Slylock da behind it, if any? Fox.” After my first cy- name is Peter Wright. I How did you de- pher at school one day, go by Five Steez and the name actually evolved cide on that par- me and some friends decided to go home and over time to become ticular name? come up with names. I was 12. I stole the name Inztinkz: My given of a comic book characname is Jason Nelson. ter that was famous in My stage name is Inzthe Jamaican newspaper. tinkz (pronounced I just liked how it soundinstincts). I was played. People eventually ing my music to some friends one day, and one just started calling me of them remarked how ‘Sly’ though. That’s what natural my music sound- stuck. Then when I got serious about having a ed, almost like I was doing it off instinct. The solo career I decided to
that. I went through many rap names as a teenager but by 15, I settled on Five Star, to represent the highest quality, for example, five star restaurant, hotel etc. 5 is also a special number for me. Over time, people started calling me Five Steezy (just like Lil’ Wayne became Weezy
and Kanye Yeezy) or Five Steez... so I stuck with Steez ‘cause I understood what the word meant and it sounded cool.
Kingston is definitely the undisputed capital of reggae music, so why hip-hop? Why become an emcee in a world of deejays?
eight and two verses. Also the hip-hop production was widely varied. It had a crazy range. And the rappers at the time had a lyrical range as wide as the production. I just wanted to be a part of it and express myself within those limitless boundaries.
Five Steez: “I bomb atomically, Socrates philosophies and hypotheses can’t define Sly Rankin: At the time, how I be dropping I fell in love with how these...” (This is a verse much the rappers were from Inspectah Deck saying. They had a min- on the Wu-Tang Clan’s imum of sixteen bars. classic track entitled Dancehall songs had “Triumph”). That’s why.
I heard superior rhyme skills and more room for expression in Hip Hop than I did in Reggae and Dancehall. I also liked that it could have almost any sound and sample from any genre, including Reggae and Dancehall.
As many people may or may not know, the origins of hip hop are deep-rooted in Kingston, more specifically in the community of Trench Town, where a man by the name of DJ Kool Herc
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spent his formative years...that being said, in terms of Kingston Hip Hop, is there someone who could be considered the godfather of Kingston Hip Hop? What would be the equivalent of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in Kingston? Inztinkz: There is no real story of the origin of Kingston hip-hop so to speak. The first local hip-hop recording I heard was a cover of the
Sugarhill Gang classic “Rappers Delight.” In 1991, I heard about two MC’s name Smesh and Slick. From there, the first real hip-hop scene developed in Kingston. Familiar names in Kingston hip-hop in the mid to late 90’s were Doom (son of reggae icon Jimmy Cliff), Armagheddon (Nephew of reggae legend Grub Cooper, from the band Fab 5), Holocaust, Keystone, and Chicago-based rapper Cess, to name a few. The most important aspect of Kingston hip-hop at that time was a radio show on Fame FM with DJ’s
Alrick and Boyd called the “Phat Block. “ The “Phat Block” showcased local hip-hop and many of the names I just mentioned. My peers got regular spins. After the demise of the radio show the scene kinda died down a bit but started to reemerge in the late 2000’s and is going even stronger now. Sly Rankin: I can honestly say when my group Gangsta Colony banded together, I was about 14, and I thought we were the only Jamaicans rapping. Till we met a group called Holokast,
who had a CD before we dropped one. We ended up doing a lot of work together and forming kind of a collective called 13th tribe. They had the first Jamaican hip-hop video that I saw on local TV. A lot of rappers have had separate firsts since then, but I regard them as the firsts with TV and radio play. Five Steez: I’m not sure if there has ever been any “Godfather’”. DJ Boyd was that in his time, I guess, when he was doing “Phat Block” on Fame FM. He was spinning a lot of local Hip Hop and supporting the artistes however he could. And at that time, opportunities were fewer. A show like “Pay Attention” wasn’t in anyone’s thoughts... there was no Internet... there was just radio and everyone wanted to get signed by a major label. The game was different then. In terms of a landmark place, it would have to be Gambling House Recording Studio. For over a decade, it has accommodated multiple crews and numerous rappers and producers. I never knew of the wider scene
till I started frequenting Gambling House 10 years ago. To this day, it’s a space where Hip Hop practitioners and lovers are still getting a chance to meet, reason and work together.
Last, but not least, if ever on a layover, like Anthony Bourdain, what is that “one spot,” every visitor must
visit in Kingston in your opinion? Inztinkz: Port Royal would be my first choice or White Bones restaurant. Sly Rankin: My spot in Kingston to visit would be in Harbor View by the roundabout. You said layover, and its right by the airport. On week-
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end nights after dark, there are a lot of local seafood cooks out there with conch, fish, jerk chicken, soups. A lot of local foods. It’s also right by the statue and school dedicated to Donald Quarrie, he was the first popular Olympic medalist Jamaica contributed to track and field, which we eventually went on to dominate globally. So there’s also some history there. Once you said An-
thony Bourdaine, immediately I began thinking food though. It’s also in Harbor View where I reside in Jamaica, so of course I’d wanna support the local vendors. But aside from that, it’s good food, it’s by the seaside, close to the airport and it’s a truly Jamaican vibe. So I’m assuming people wanna know where the good eats are at. I wouldn’t recommend a foreigner to go anywhere
I thought had too much of an overseas vibe. Five Steez: I almost said Hellshire, maybe Port Royal, lots of history there, plus I like fish, festival, bammy and dem ting deh. So a stop at Gloria’s restaurant would be included.
Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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Film Announcement by Emiel Martens
Brought to you by Caribbean Creativity
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Brought to you by Caribbean Creativity
Welcome to the Smiling Coast: Living in the Gambian Ghetto New documentary on tourism in the Gambia, West Africa
Welcome to the Smiling Coast offers a rare insight into the daily lives of fifteen youngsters who are struggling to make ends meet in the margins of the Gambian tourism industry. Although the smallest country on mainland Africa, the Gambia has become a popular holiday destination for European tourists, especially among older white women. Since 2005 the country typically receives over 100.000 foreign visitors every year, earning its reputation for being Africa’s Costa del Sol. Just
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a 5-hour flight away, the all-inclusive hotels give them the perfect package for the ‘triple-s’ African adventure of sun, sea and sex.
luck abroad or find their peace at home? Taking a light but critical tone, Welcome to the Smiling Coast shows the varied and creative alternative strategies Gambian youngsters employ to secure their livelihood. Capturing their struggles, hopes and dreams, the documentary puts a human and positive face on the informal economy that lies behind the glitter of the Smiling Coast of Africa.
Ironically, many Gambians, particularly youngsters, reside in poor neighborhoods only a few steps away from the tourist hotels and beaches. With this lure of a better future just around the corner, the dangerous ‘back way’ across deserts and high seas to Europe is always linger- The first test screening ing in their minds. Do of the film took place they eventually try their on Wednesday March
25 at Movies that Matter, the annual human rights film festival of Amnesty International in the Netherlands. The sold-out screening was joined by the film’s director Bas Ackermann (Upperunder / State of Mic) and Alhagie Manka, one of the Gambian youngers appearing in the documentary. Welcome to the Smiling Coast will soon be entering the international film festival circuit.
Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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Storm Saulter
Jamaica
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Towards a New Caribbean Cinema? Interview By Emiel Martens of Caribbean Creativity
Storm Saulter is a Jamaican filmmaker, photographer and visual artist. He is best known for directing the award-winning Jamaican feature film Better Mus’ Come (2010) and co-founding New Caribbean Cinema, a DIY collective of young filmmakers in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean who are dedicated to creating a new wave of Caribbean filmmaking.
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How did you get involved in the arts? My parents always encouraged us – me and my brothers and sisters – to express ourselves creatively, so there was a very strong artistic streak embedded in us at an early age. As a teenager I started taking pictures, as in still photography, and around 2000 I moved to LA and entered the Film Immersion Program of the Los Angeles Film School. It was a very hands-on experience. In between my school schedule I
worked on music video sets. I was the hardest working PA you could ever meet. I was out to prove it! One day I met hip hop video director Little X, who took me under his wing. I worked on a lot of his sets as a second unit director and just rolled a lot with him. At one point I decided to move to Miami to work with Joshua Bratter, a friend of the family who wanted to invest in my first feature film. This seemed a good opportunity, as, after all, I wanted to make movies! After a few years I had to go
back to Jamaica to renew my visa and I realized I wanted to make films there. So I decided to stay and give it all. How did you set out to make your ambition to become a filmmaker in Jamaica a reality? My brother Nile also returned to Jamaica after finishing film school in London, so we decided to pursue our filmmaking passion together. We also linked up with Joel Burke, who I already knew from before. We just came together and
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started to make short films. Then we, together with Paul Bucknor and my parents, came up with the idea of hosting an annual film festival. This became the Flashpoint Film Festival and our shorts provided most of the content. The festival was very influential for us as beginning filmmakers. We all of a sudden needed to create content. It was extremely guerilla, low-budget and not necessarily scripted, experimental filmmaking. We spent one summer shooting our films and after that we edited
our own projects with advice and suggestions from each of us. We probably made all the mistakes that you can make as a filmmaker, but after experiencing that whole process I was really much more equipped to do my next story. It was a major learning ground.
ties. I had always been fascinated with the Cold War and the international geopolitics that has affected Jamaica so much. I read all these old newspaper articles about the tensions on the island and began to construct scenes from those articles. It became clear that, for me, the ultimate story of the Cold War When did you come up era was about the poor with the idea of your first people, the sufferers, so feature film, Better Mus’ the story had to repreCome, and how did this sent them. At one point project materialize? I came across the information about the Green I really wanted to make Bay Massacre, the secret a film about the seven- operation carried out in
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This interview is an edited excerpt of a longer version that will appear this Fall i Cross-Cultural Image Studies: www.csj.ualberta.ca/imaginations/?p=6099.
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in a special issue (6.2) on ‘Caribbean Cinema Now’ of Imaginations: Journal of
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1978 by a special unit of the Jamaica Defense Force under a People’s National Party, in which five supporters of the Jamaica Labour Party were shot dead after they had been ambushed at Green Bay. That dramatic event helped me to anchor my story. I pieced together snippets of information and loosely reconstructed the lives of the people who ended up at Green Bay. The Green Bay Massacre became the endpoint of my story, which I then built backwards.
make the step towards short films and eventually feature films. So Michelle and I decided to join forces to create opportunities for these young filmmakers to produce work that could put them on the map. The idea was to write stories that could be shot in one single day, so that it could actually be done. There was no money to spend; it had to be as cheap as possible. So New Caribbean Cinema became a mix of a feeling of getting work done and a method of how to get it done – a ‘by any means In 2010 you co-founded necessary’ approach to New Caribbean Cinema, filmmaking. a movement to foster filmmaking in Jamaica. The first release you put Why did you decide to out under the banner of launch this initiative? New Caribbean Cinema was Ring di Alarm I founded New Carib(2013), a series of short bean Cinema along with films. What were these Michelle Serieux, a St. short films about? Lucian-born filmmaker living in Jamaica, basical- Ring di Alarm was the ly because we felt a need combined effort of the to put out work. Not Nile, Joel, Michelle, Kyle only our own work, but Chin, Michael ‘Ras Tinalso the work of other Ja- gle’ Tingling and myself. maican filmmakers. We We all made one short saw a good amount of film and worked togethyoung and talented peo- er on each other’s films. ple on the island doing Although the films are commercials and music very different from each videos, who wanted to other, I think they all
have in common that they have a slight interest in the dark side of life, an element of death – whether it is death coming and not knowing how to deal with it, or the premeditation of a murder or its aftermath. It’s a common element in much storytelling, but I definitely see it very directly in the Ring di Alarm films. Even the comedic work is darkly comedic. I think it gives you some insight into what the Caribbean person of our age is thinking about, particularly in Jamaica. We are obsessed with death – we are all dealing with death on a day-to-day basis, it feels omnipresent. In filmmaking these things rise to the surface. How does an average working day look like for you? Honestly, when my week starts, my phone starts ringing. And sometimes the week does not end, because my phone is ringing in the weekends too. There is no set schedule. I do quite a bit of commercial work. That’s actually what I do most of the time. I usu-
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ally have a few of these projects going on at the same time, in different stages of development, on which I work as a director or cinematographer or both. Throughout the week I am often in touch with a couple of production companies. I oversee treatments, I deliver edits, I go to meetings, I scout locations, I am in pre-production or I am actually shooting. I am also one of the primary people doing the marketing of our films through social media. While I have people helping me with that, I am the engine. And on top of all, that I
am supposed to be writing, because I always have scripts to write. I am often cursing pure bombaclat! about when I get to write. But in the end everything kind of completes itself in its own time.
to be as great as the filmmakers I look up to. I want my work to be seen by all film lovers. I am very aware of the fact that my most immediate audiences, and the audiences that can allow the film to travel, are the local and diaspora CaribWhat do you aspire to bean audiences. I see the achieve in the future value of these audiences, with regards to filmmak- as a source of support ing? and a gateway to a larger global audience, but I Maybe it sounds comwant as many people as petitive, but I want to possible to see my films. make the films that I want millions. At the epitomize Caribbean end of the day, I want to cinema. I want to make have a big presence in the films that introduce the world of cinema. a new aesthetic. I want to develop a style. I want
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Photographer: ADRIAN MCDONALD
Location: JAMAICA
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