Malachi Hope wins PoeTree Barbados’ Buss Ah Rhyme battle

There’s a new champ in town. On Friday night Malachi Hope became the inaugural winner of the PoeTree Barbados’ Buss Ah Rhyme Battle, held at Cricket Legends of Barbados, Fontabelle, St Michael.

Around 10:15, after a round of deliberation, judge Akeem Stonedwithcupid Chandler-Prescod announced that Hope had won the inaugural battle scoring 83.5 points. Jeremiah The Prophet Toussaint took second spot with 74.5 points. 

In the battle, Barbadian Hope and his challenger, Antiguan poet, The Prophet, had to use the word PoeTree and freestyle for two minutes. They were judged by Founder of the League of Extraordinary Poets (LXP), Katherine Tafari, Poet of The Year, Chandler-Prescod, NIFCA Silver Awardee Damani Re and International Freestyle Champion, Ruby Tech. 

Performing first, The Prophet gave a solid performance of his poem, which had the more than 100-member audience in awe. Following his performance, Hope did his presentation and members of the audience jumped and screamed as he performed. 

Upon receiving the award Hope said,“I am pleased to win this trophy. I think this is the first time I have won a trophy. I gave this performance my all and I am pleased to have won. I also could not have gone against a more formidable poet, The Prophet who also brought his A game tonight.”

The PoeTree Barbados Buss Ah Rhyme Battle was a new component of their PoeTree Barbados events. Organiser La Shawna Griffith said the goal of PoeTree Barbados is to continue to showcase various formats of Spoken Word. 

“What occurred here tonight was nothing short of spectacular. The battle was keenly contested and both poets brought their A game. Our goal at PoeTree Barbados is to provide opportunities for poets to flourish and the Buss Ah Rhyme Battle is one such way to do so,” she said.  (PR)