Adams’ Fear of Mom, driving force, not gangsters,

By William Doyle-Marshall

The founder of the i.am.angel Foundation, will.i.am (William Adams) received the 2016 Crystal Award for his leadership in providing educational opportunities for the under-served. During the recently concluded World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the multi-talented Adams was presented with the award for his untiring efforts.

   His i.am.angel Foundation has developed numerous programmes for youth in Los Angeles such as I am STEAM which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. I am Scholarship and I am College struck are two other branches. He also has a workshop in Los Angeles.

   The reason why he chose to do this work, he told the Switzerland Awards gathering, is because he wants to pay for what was given to him when he was growing up in the ghetto in Los Angeles, California. “I come from a very, very poor neighbourhood that was littered with crime and drug and gang activities but my Mom was very strict and I was more afraid of my Mom than the gangsters in my neighbourhood.”

   He concluded that music has taken him around the world and he has seen things that he wanted to take back to his neighbourhood. “Every time there is a natural disaster they call musicians or famous people to bring awareness to what’s happening in the world. In ghettoes that resemble the condition that I come from, there is a natural disaster every day; there is a Tsunami of neglect; there’s war between gang and rival; senseless and just ignorance crime and I wanted to make sure that kids in the neighbourhood that I come from (starting there) aim to be more than just musicians, not that being a musician is a bad thing; it’s just that our industry has collapsed and I speak from experience that although you can make a living, it isn’t as health as it used to be and I want kids to dream to be like Steve Jobs, not just Stevie Wonder. I want kids to dream to be like Bill Gates. I want them to discipline and dedicate their lives to solving the world’s problems. And the way you do that is not by waiting for government to come down and change education reform because you never know how long that’s going to take. Somebody has to take responsibility in their own hands and do that for communities especially if you believe that kids that have been neglected can make something out of themselves and solve the world’s problems. So I started with 60 kids, now I have 320 kids. This year is our first graduation year class. Our kids started off with the worst grades that one could imagine: in and out of juvenile and crime and selling drugs and now our kids have 3.5s and 4.0s. Our kids will go on to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), as a really super, super struck student as it only takes one so one kid could change that community forever.”

   “My vision was, what if What’s App came from Watts? What if Facebook came from Compton? What if Apple came from (Fith Ward) Mississippi? These communities would change forever and I hope in this business to find one or two kids and I am really proud of this girl named Cynthia who is our star student who is inspiring the whole community to really just pick up the ball and be leaders. So thank you so much for acknowledging the work that we are doing.”

 As the founder of i.am+, he is actively engaged in the worlds of technology, fashion and accessories and social activism. The i.am.angel Foundation has created a new model for STEAM education that serves at-risk youth via after-school tutoring and enrichment activities. Adams is also on a mission to elevate the importance of recycling and to turn waste into a valued commodity through EKOCYCLE brand.

  His professional career has many facets. He is a singer, songwriter, Rapper, entrepreneur, actor, musician, record producer and philanthropist. As a musician he is best known for his work with the Black Eyed Peas with whom he received seven Grammy Awards. Wil-i-am has also released solo albums and produced the works of other musicians including Michael Jackson, U2 and Lady Gaga. He is a role model. He has a long standing commitment to inspire children to stay in school and go to college to become the leaders of tomorrow. 

Taking Cues from T&T Calypso

Time to Take Cues from Calypso

By William Doyle-Marshall

Where do we go from here? This is a question nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and their colleagues in the Caricom region should be asking themselves. Calypsonians who represent the newspaper of the poor people in the country have spoken loud and affirmatively during the season that has just come to a close as a prominent section of the Carnival festival. The world now knows that Devon Seal emerged as the Monarch, a title he deserves. But we should not take for granted that the other performers did not contribute immensely. Even some who did not make it into the finals.

  Politics ruled supreme, as it relates to the government of Kamla Persaud-Bissessar (the People’s Partnership) which was summarily removed from office last September and replaced with the People’s National Movement. The world was reminded by the Calypso Monarch that the then Prime Minister turned her back on her words “the voice of the people is the voice of God”. Having lost the election and found herself in opposition she and her peers criticized the Election and Boundaries Commission and obtained permission to file a suit in court. The feeling is, her party has been tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. The most decent action for her to take now is withdraw their action now before the courts of Trinidad and Tobago.

   Amidst the plethora of compositions lamenting rising crime in the country, domestic violence, allegations of corruption, and more, Kurt Allen, a popular calypsonian who has titles of Young King and Calypso Monarch to his name (the last Bad John) presented to music lovers his “Pot of Gold” in which he sees a rainbow. “Some dark clouds, the crime rate will soar, kidnapping and more bodies on the floor, gang war implode at we door, contempt for the law, Oh God, no one is secure,” he enumerates.

   Allen contends that poverty will rise, full disguise, political lies; rich despise, the poor man cries but he sees a rainbow and at the end he sees Trinidad and Tobago – that trinity, this little pot of mine – you and me, Ah singing from my soul, my pot of gold, I singing for the whole wide world.”

   Some people may not be aware that nationals who reside in the Diaspora are referred to their brothers and sisters at home as (RR: returning residents). In the past Lord Nelson lamented that they were calling him “foreigner”. But this year Joanne Rowley (Tigress) stepped boldly into the arena and reminded her critics that they are no more Trini than she and the others who have taken that important step to better themselves, their children and the country of their birth – Trinidad and Tobago. The judges did not see fit to include her among the finalists but at the Calypso Fiesta – semi finals her performance made that very important mark.

   She danced onstage for the semi-final segment of the competition accompanied by flag bearers representing foreign countries where nationals of Trinidad and Tobago are domiciled. Then she did her roll call for England, Canada, America, Denmark and Germany. She reminded the gathering that those at home have a way of calling Trinis who migrate to those foreign countries to make a living “sell out” and they even refer to them as “get the hell out Trini”.

A Toronto gathering for the launch of our festival at Nathan Phillip Square

Macomere Fifi, one who is promoting T&T in the ice....

They even question she sang, “how you could leave the fire and wine and jam to go and freeze in the ice with Uncle Sam just to be a scholar or  to run down U.S. dollar”.  But the energetic performer responded eloquently “who does fly the flag highest all over? We who live in the ice.

  “Who create Labour Day and Caribana? She enquires. And the answer: “We who live in the ice. Who does eat crab and callaloo in the snow? We who live in the ice. Who more Trini than me? I want to know.”

    For those who are still enquiring, Tiger has real, solid advice “I could come from the fire and still exist in the ice. When they have desire they doesn’t think twice to make a call from the fire and request thing in the ice. Don’t mind in the fire is corruption like mad and customer service is so bad. Don’t mind in the ice it could get so lonely and cold.”

  Winston Peters (Gypsy) who served as Minister of Culture in the previous government, offered the season a soul searching composition titled “Too Many” in which he lamented seeing Black youths in the country not where they are supposed to be. Parents’ insensibilities cause the youths potentials to fail into obscurity, he charges. He questions why is it that after bringing a child into this world, how can we leave them to be raised by remote control. Peters acknowledges there are good parents but he is troubled that soon after some babies are born, “mammy don’t know where daddy gone or mammy just disappear, with no one to care for them.” They desert the poor little heart. That is where Black people problem start,” Gypsy pronounces.

During his performance at Skinner Park pettiness emerged as the toilet paper brigade waving toilet paper at him but danced along. In the past the waving of toilet paper at a singer signaled that his or her composition was missing standards But to see these individuals waving toilet paper and dancing proved they were not serious. Being the extempo champion that he is, Gypsy did not let them get away. He countered with precision: “Too many Black children are going astray, I see too much toilet paper in here today. Ah telling you I can’t see where you coming from. You better save it when you go home give your children some. Because tomorrow when you finish you have no money and today you come here waving all that toilet paper at me; that is simply playing the fool. Your children need the money to go to school and that should be the way. You would be preventing more Black children from going astray.”

This past calypso/carnival season provided evidence that the social workers, business leaders, policy makers and politicians must begin paying serious attention to the commentaries of calypsonians. To continue ignoring their pronouncements would surely lead down to the road to disaster. People like Chalkdust, Mighty Duke, Mighty Sparrow, Penguin, Brother Mudada, Kitchener, Lord Shorty and many others have been carrying the baton for years and their compositions have been ignored. Yes we clap in the calypso tents and dance to their music in dance halls and at festivals but everything stops their. From this year’s crop of compositions, it is clear that things have to change.

   Being open-minded is the first step. Then review the compositions. Truthfully politicians are aware of the needs of the country. There is no time for discussion but pull people together and take serious action.     

Trinidad Calypso Monarch Competition Hot Like Fire

Political Issues Plus in 2016 T&T Calypso Monarch Finals

By William Doyle-Marshall

Caribbeanites from the Diaspora have made their annual pilgrimage down to Trinidad and Tobago to either participate or be spectators in the mammoth carnival celebrations in high swing there. Two of Canada’s top calypsonians are down there as well. Macomere Fifi, many time Canadian Calypso Monarch was among semi-finalists in last Saturday’s Calypso Monarch semifinals at Skinner Park in south Trinidad. She made us proud with her performance of “Before You Gone” – a tribute to the Mighty Sparrow, Calypso King of the World. However she did not make it into the finals taking place later this week. The feeling among music lovers including some in Trinidad and Tobago is that she could have been among the finalists. One caller to Sunday morning broadcast in Port of Spain lamented at her absence. He noted there have been calypsonians selected to participate in the finals whose songs said nothing. The caller told Macomere Fifi and Short Pants, host of the show, Fifi should have been selected by the judges. But as the saying goes “the judges’ decision is final”.

Dick Lochan, Chairman of the Organization for Calypso Performing Artists is in the country participating in a Roving Calypso Tent. He has been a regular on the scene over the past few years.

   Meanwhile, this year’s finalists vying for the 2016 Calypso Monarch consists of Skatie (Carlos James), Devon Seal, Chalkdust (Dr. Hollis Liverpool), Heather McIntosh, Felon Francis, Lady Adanna (Marsha Clifton), Mistah Shak (Selvon Noel), Gypsy (Winston Peters),

Gypsy (Winston Peters) minister in the PP's Government

Karene Asche, Queen Victoria (Victoria Cooper Rahim) and Cro Cro (Weston Rawlins). Brian London is the reserve. Chucky, the reigning Monarch is set to defend the title at Sunday night's Dimanche Gras show, Queen's Park Savannah.

Some lovers of the calypso artform complain about compositions that relate to the affairs of the environment – politics, discrimination, injustice etc. But from all indications the judges are offering all those who attend the finals a mix of presentations that attempt to address serious matters affecting the nation of Trinidad and Tobago. The departure of the past People’s Partnership (PP) government headed by Kamla Persad-Bissessar receives tremendous attention. The high Crime rate, domestic violence and overall warnings to the  People’s National Government that the people are expecting much better treatment from its policies.

   Cro Cro (Weston Rawlins) in his composition “A Message to the Boss” warns “a person who doesn’t take advice, eventually will pay the price”. It was his way of rebuking former PM Persad-Bissessar for not taking good advice. Now that the country has a new Prime Minister in Dr. Keith Rowley, the calypsonian feels compelled to advise him against following the practice of the past Government. It is safe to conclude Cro Cro’s calypso is his mantra for Dr. Rowley to emerge as a respected Prime Minister. Among other things Cro Cro urges the Prime Minister to use his motorcar and only travel by the government’s helicopter in case of emergency. When the PNM got elected recently it discovered there was a massive million dollar bill for helicopter travel by the then Prime Minister.

   “When you play with fire you must get burn. Doh ever play yuh too big, yuh high and mighty and you can’t take this simple advice from me,” Cro Cro sings.

    “Careful when you go Tobago. Don’t drink rum and capsize in Les Coteaux. Doh play dat you going and look for Stalin. If you going, you must carry something for him. Remember to take the bull by the horn. If something wrong, make it right. Don’t say ‘let’s move on. Do everything opposite to Kamla and you would be a respected Prime Minister,” Cro Cro continues in his words of advice.

 Lady Adanna’s composition – A Murder A Day – laments the high murder rate in the country. “I once saw a light at the end of a dark tunnel. All my hopes and energy I used to funnel towards the vision of my nation 2020 vision. Anxiety that I felt for a bright tomorrow has dovetailed into abject sorrow,” she sang to the Skinner Park audience last Saturday.

   She pleads through “A murder A day”, for reliev from the strain as it seems like her people, are going insane. “A murder a day, bodies falling like rain. A murder a day, tell me when we will be sane again, again and again. Though we boast about we oil and wealth abundance but if we do not help the poor that is repugnant,” Lady Adanna warns. She questions the reason for this “sleazy, sleazy situation: how we deal with the wealth and its distribution.”

  Chalkdust’s offering painted a picture for understanding a Trinidadian’s attitude particularly when he or she is annoyed. “When Trini Vex” is the title in which he contends everyone in this world gets vex now and then. But in the case of a Trinidadian the behavior is completely different. As an example Chalkdust sings “when Muslims get vex they don’t commit crime. They does go Syria to see Jesus before dey time.” When it was the case for former Prime Minister Kamla to get vex, Chalkie told the Skinner Park crowd she sends texts to her drinking partners informing that she will not be drinking scotch with them again. The eight-time Calypso Monarch compares his brothers and sisters in T&T with Londoners regarding price hike for transportation. Chalkdust said the Londoners will not ride the transit but elect to use subway instead but Trinis would take their car very early, without license and drive it on the priority route.

   Newly crowned Young King Felon Francis, offers his view of sweet Trinidad. “You may not understand me or see that I truly love my country, full of culture, resources: a people that loves to party. See most of us think about self and won’t admit when she needs help. So it’s time to admit she sick or she’ll never come back to health.   While urging his peers to spend their money on party and fun, Francis calls on them to remember their land is in recession. “We keep talking ‘bout bringing down crime but without drastic measures we wasting we time. We got to stop being so ignorant. Move your problems from the back to the front. You see this is the only way, if we want to fix tomorrow we must fix today. Living in love, love, love but we does love without peace,” Francis warns.