Ramone Blackman wins PoeTree Barbados’ inaugural Open Mic Contest

PoeTree Barbados set the stage for an unforgettable evening of lyrical brilliance on December 19, with their inaugural Open Mic Contest at De Bar, Worthing, Christ Church. The event brought together 12 contestants who captivated the audience with their creativity, passion, and artistry, competing for prizes generously sponsored by De Bar.

Emerging victorious was Ramone ‘Rae’ Blackman, who claimed the first-place prize of $150 and a bottle of Johnny Walker Black with an impressive score of 182 points.

Rae’s powerful performance as the final contestant of the night left both the judges and audience in awe.

Reflecting on his win, Rae expressed his gratitude: “I feel humbled. It was a pleasant surprise because I was in my own head about the performance, given that I had arrived late and felt as though I was rushing. I enjoyed it regardless and look forward to the next PoeTree Barbados event.”

The competition was intense, with judges Akeem ‘Stonedwithcupid’ Chandler-Prescod and Theo ‘Deo The Poet’ Greenidge facing the difficult task of scoring the extraordinary talent on display. The top placements were as follows:

• 1st Place: Ramone ‘Rae’ Blackman – 182 points.
• 2nd Place: Jeremiah ‘The Prophet’ Toussaint – 179 points ($100 and a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream).
• 3rd Place: Atiba Sealy-Thompson – 173 points ($50 and a bottle of Beringer Wine).

Jeremiah’ The Prophet’ Toussaint won second place in PoeTree Barbados’ inaugural Open Mic Contest. He also won $100 and a bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream.

The remaining rankings showcased the depth of talent in the lineup:

• R-Lando – 163 points.
• Iyah Badd – 158 points.
• Chrystal The Magi – 153 points.
• Kizzy – 145 points.
• Jabari Corbin – 133 points.
• Jada – 132 points.
• Sese Archer – 125 points.
• Kamal Mason – 123 points.
• Ebonee Carter – 120 points.

Adding to the night’s excitement were electrifying guest performances by some of Barbados’ most celebrated spoken word artists. Negus ‘Knots’ Hinds, Malachi Hope, Stonedwithcupid, and Deo The Poet brought their award-winning artistry to the stage, while featured performer and PoeTree Barbados Co-Founder La Shawna Griffith delivered a show-stopping set. Her duet with Deo The Poet, titled Face Value, explored themes of authenticity in relationships, while her signature pieces Society Likes To Police Women and Mama Said resonated deeply with the audience, earning thunderous applause from over 100 patrons.

Co-Founder Stonedwithcupid expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming talent and support shown: “The talent on display was remarkable. This event has set the tone for what we hope will become a staple in Barbados’ literary and cultural scene. We are deeply thankful to De Bar for their sponsorship, which made this event even more special.”

Atiba Sealy-Thompson won third place in PoeTree Barbados’ inaugural Open Mic Contest. He also won $50 and a bottle of Beringer Wine compliments De Bar.

PoeTree Barbados continues to create platforms for emerging poets and spoken word artists, fostering a vibrant cultural community. Stay tuned for more exciting events as they continue to inspire and uplift the creative voices of Barbados. (PR)