AJA’s Unchain concert highlights social issues

Bajan rhythm poet, musician, producer, and humanitarian activist Adisa Andwele, better known as AJA, is no stranger to the stage. He has performed in countries such as Switzerland, Botswana, Italy, Nigeria, and Sweden. And on December 1, he brought his talents home with a virtual concert, Unchain.

Backed by the De ReEmergence Band, the veteran poet of over 30 years used his body of work to highlight social and economic atrocities and injustices with his opening number, Blak Distance Voice. Originally penned in 1993, the piece was inspired by AJA’s visit to the Martin Luther King memorial in Atlanta. Some of the lyrics were amended to make them more relevant to the current climate of police brutality and other injustices.

During the one hour “cultural lesson”, chock-full of the pulsating and mesmerizing fusions of the African drums and other instruments, viewers were treated to an evening of “edutainment”, thought-provoking poetry, and dance interpretations from staple Barbadian groups such as Dancin’ Africa, Riddim Tribe, and the Adrenalin Dancers. The common thread that tied all the pieces together was the theme of black empowerment and the urgency to “get up”.

A special tribute was paid to Caribbean musical icon and creator of Spouge, Jackie Opel, with Free Up. Light a Candle for the Children – one of AJA’s more popular pieces of work, that addresses the plight of innocent children worldwide who are starving and facing other detrimental circumstances.

Other performances included Woman, a gripping and emotional piece on issues women face, Conscious, One Caribbean (Banana Man), Live as One, Bring it Up, and Foreday Jam. He ended with the titular piece Unchain.

The must-see concert, which is still available for purchase and streaming, is available on https://m2productionsmusic.com with 12-month access from the date of the concert. (PR)