“Dem Way Deh” Yasus Afari – Dub Poet with a Message
Word Sound Power and Dub Poetry
‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ – John 1:1
‘If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.’ – Nikola Tesla
Throughout the ages, poets, philosophers, and mystics have spoken about the mysteries of words, sounds and vibrations. It is widely stated that the word is creative, but what does that mean? The Rastafari tradition asserts that ‘word sound is power,’ meaning that we create reality through the words we utter. In a similar fashion, the spiritual systems of the east assert that all physical manifestation flows from thought, to word, and ultimately into deed.
Enter dub poetry, a uniquely Jamaican expression of ‘word sound.’ Dub poetry has been used as a medium for social commentary, and as a cry for liberation in Jamaica and the diaspora from the 1970’s until present times. Well known dub poets in the reggae tradition include Mikey Smith, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Mutabaruka, Oku Onuora and Yasus Afari. In recent times, the dub poets have been re-asserting themselves as part of the ‘roots renaissance’ happening in Jamaica.
Akashic Records & The Jamaica / USA / UK Link-up
Dem Way Deh, produced by Akashic Records and Hands & Hearts Music represents the union of the Jamaican, the American, and the British reggae traditions. Akashic Records is a US based record label specializing in dub music and Rastafari teachings. The rhythm for ‘Dem Way Deh’ was created by Noel Zebulon & Ras Muffet who are both UK reggae veterans. The rhythm, called ‘Crucial’ is based on an anthemic rhythm from the legendary UK soundman, Jah Shaka. Akashic Records management have been following Yasus Afari’s work since since the mid 90’s. This project represents the first release from the Akashic Records / Hands & Hearts / Yasus Afari union.
Other recent releases from Akashic Records include:
Fred Locks & Sizzla ‘Black Star Liner Rebirth’
Oku Onuora ‘Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow’
Tena Stelin ‘Yoga / Lion Symbol’
Fikir Amlak ‘I am that I am’
Edutainment
Yasus Afari has created a poem telling the classic tale of a young man at a cross roads. We are to infer that this cross-roads is both literal and symbolic. It is said that ‘when the student is ready, the teacher appears.’ Yasus Afari plays the role of teacher providing instructions about the universal laws of nature, and guiding the youth in a positive direction. The youth ‘sees the light’ and makes the right decision. A negative situation turns into a positive one which transforms the life of the youth, his community, and ultimately the world.
Stay tuned for the global digital release of ‘Dem Way Deh’ and the story-telling video on Friday, June 17th through Zojak World Wide.
DEM WAY DEH !
Dem Way Deh Lyrics
Yow warrior mek wi goh tek dah BRINKS deh
No my yute, mi noh pre dem way deh, mi noh check dem way deh, mi not tan dem way deh !
No my yute, mi noh move dem way deh, mi noh flex dem wa deh, yu noh fi nah medz dem way deh !
When mi si people tings mi jus mek it tan deh
“Mek it tan weh !?”
Mek it tan deh
Mi nah nyam noh good food from last week Friday
“Last week Friday !?”
Last week Friday !
And mi still naah get mi pay until next week Sunday !
“Next week Sunday!?”
Next week Monday !
“Weh yu seh a while a go!?”
Mi seh next week Sunday!
“Alright, si the liquor truck deh !”
No my yute mi no pre dem way deh, mi noh check dem way deh, mi noh tan dem way deh
No my yute, mi noh move dem way deh, mi noh flex dem wa deh, yu noh fi nah medz dem way deh !
And mi nah interested fi goh mek no duppy
“Yu nah mek no duppy!?”
Mi nah mek no duppy!
Mi prefer pick a fruit and kiss de tree, plant a seed and let it be
One tree, one fruit, one seed, one thought, one word, one deed
Tommy blow de cow horn and seh, yes indeed
“Him seh wah!?”
Yes indeed ! Him seh yes indeed!
“Brown dwag! A wah kind a warrior dis!?” Alright, mek wi try de supermarket !
No my yute mi no pre dem way deh, mi noh check dem way deh, mi noh tan dem way deh
No my yute, mi noh move dem way deh, mi noh flex dem wa deh, yu noh fi nah medz dem way deh !
Remember yesterday, today was tomorrow and tomorrow, today becomes yesterday
Soh anything yu sow, a dat yu a goh reap, and if yu spit inna de sky, it a goh drop inna yu eye
Soh know weh yu a sey and know weh yu a doh, cause everything yu do it come right back to yu
And under the sun, nothing nah new
“Nothing nah new !?”
Nothing nah new !
Soh
No my yute mi no pre dem way deh, mi noh check dem way deh, mi noh tan dem way deh
No my yute, mi noh move dem way deh, mi noh flex dem wa deh, yu noh fi nah medz dem way deh !
By Yasus Afari (C) 2016
Akashic Records / Hands & Hearts Music
A Hands & Hearts Production
Inspired by Jah Shaka
Rhythm by Noel Zebulon
Mixed by Ras Muffet
