October 23, 2011
A Ballad from Brixton
Fabian Audifferen said it was "inspirational"; Zyron Gabbidon, that it was "very educational".
Simeon Brown stated that it was "something to benefit from".
Three young people of the thirteen, that colleagues and I took to see Uprising, written and performed by Alex Wheatle.
It's the saga of a youth who jumped all the hurdles, telling his story along the way. First of all, on the sound system he founded, called Crucial Rockers, which became a popular feature on the South London Reggae scene, he was just an M.C. and his microphone; becoming known as the 'Yardman Irie'. From that embryo of creativity, into the performance poetry circuit, where he gained further fame, as the 'Brixton Bard'. Onto much wider recognition, as an award-winning novelist.
The hurdle of familial loss - years in a Sussex children's home, far from his birthplace in Brixton. The constant loneliness and episodes of brutality. Of prison and its attendant stigma. The constant whirlwind of racism and its resultant fury. Uprising is a recording of that fury. Of June 1981, when Brixton erupted. From this lava overflow, he was sentenced to eight months in prison.
Sharing a cell with a Rasta Elder; their initial friction, transforming itself into what has become, a life-long friendship. This fellow prisoner became a seminal figure in his life. Introducing him to the prison library; to great black writers and their published works. On his release, he quickly become a member of the Brixton library. So began his passion for the power and sound of words, beginning with Crucial Rockers. Continuing till the present, with the 2011 release of his latest novel, Brenton Brown.
We witnessed a riveting monologue, interspersed with snippets of chant and song. His own lyrics, alongside those such as 'Coming in from the Cold', by Bob Marley. Perfect for the young people who attended, who are all working towards a youth arts award, including twelve-year old Sayche Durant, who took the photograph of our party. Especially as some of them are budding writers and MCs.
I'm glad I shared this evening, with the young people, from the C.D.I. Project, Blackbird Leys. Every line and verse, from this song of survival, a saga for all youth. I hope many more young people, white as well as black, get the opportunity to hear this story; of a ballad from Brixton.