Bajan creatives benefit from US and NCF Next Level training

By Michron Robinson

A number of Barbados’ best in spoken word, rap and graphic design now have international certification under their belts thanks to the US Embassy’s Next Level Programme in association with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF).

During a free concert last Saturday to celebrate the two weeks of intense training names like Jamal Dawe, Cyndi Celeste, Adaeze, Stoned with Cupid, Ruby Tech, HAT and Nicholi Charles showed up and showed out and they truly represented well.

Acting Public Affairs Officer with the US Embassy Simone Kendall told Barbados TODAY that it was phenomenal seeing the two cultures gel together.

“We were so excited to see a year of planning coming to fruition, to see the level of exchange not just music but the culture between hip hop from America to Bajan music and influence, to see the ties from [our projects] and the Mudda Sally incorporated – to not just the artistes… it has been beautiful to see all of this come together,” she said.

Well-known graphic artist and fashion designer Charles described it as “an awesome” experience.

“Seeing these come here and introducing us to other mediums has been awesome.

“I’m a fine artist using paint and paint brushes but I was introduced to Jay and he showed me how to use the spray cans and he spread a lot of knowledge in terms of hip hop and the history of graffiti,” Charles explained.

“These are things that I didn’t really know although I studied fine art at Community College, I was not really introduced to spray paining or murals, murals is something that I started to do but this programme has been awesome, meeting all of the different artists from different backgrounds and different lifestyles,” he added.

Dancer Damon Boucher said that the programme fulfilled all of his expectations and more.

“The programme was great to be quite honest, it really hit all of what I was expecting and what I really liked about it was that it felt like a safe space and I can say that from the bottom of my heart as someone who doesn’t really [put themselves out there]. This space felt really free just for you to express yourself and learn a bit more about hip hop culture,” he explained.

While leading well-known dancer Jamal Dawe said that the energy was smooth-flowing from the beginning.

“From day one it was full hype, just full vibes from day one. I am a person that I feel vibes and I felt each and every one of the educators’ vibes from the get-go and I could tell that it was pure niceness.

:Their willingness and love for the arts just drew me closer to them and the art of dance especially,” Dawe said.

“I reinforced something that I knew before as we went back to fundamentals which are very important.

“What we did the first two days was hip hop [which was well received] and my passion for hip hop has grown even more,” the longtime dancer added with enthusiasm in his voice.

Many of the artistes are looking forward to possibly travelling to Texas in the near future as part of the Next Level initiative.