Rawyal Afrikan Soldiers: The Surge

In an age when much of the utterances of of our entertainers - and our young male entertainers in particular - has disposability almost built in, the re-emergence (one can argue they never really left, but more on that later) of Rawyal Afrikan Soldiers is nothing less than a cause for celebration.


The dub poetry duo (originally a trio, but Takura departed - on amicable terms - to pursue solo interests), comprising Neto and Ginsu have quietly (thus far) but very seriously built up an arsenal of verbal blades and missiles with the intent of subduing and wiping out corruption injustice and other man-made ills and championing the cause of individual liberty within the wider framework of collective good or as famously said centuries ago, "all for one, one for all."

Just one listen to ["The Real] Jamaica Jamaica" which features Ginsu, should confirm that their aim is true. The track, which is now making its away across physical and virtual airwaves worldwide, is a deft and hard-hitting combination of world politics and local issues that lays blame and redeems in equal measure, where it finds it appropriate to do so. How many artistes can convincingly link global human trafficking to the local sex/"exotic dance" industry and make it sound entertaining.

But the surge is not confined merely to the world of sound recordings. Having done a stint at Kingston's Media Technology Institute, Neto has produced the short video "Sharpshootas" which spins a tale of the constricting effects of modern ghetto life on young men, the path many end choosing out of frustration, and the path less taken, which can lead on to better things.

The Soldiers are presently trodding that less-taken path, hewing to their philosophy of "freeing the world with music" even as they develop their attack into broader, multi-media based assault. Live performances, for which they have bee rightly heralded by the media, are also set to resume. The soldiers are also keen to continue in social intervention such as they had the opportunity to do in the troubled Bennett Lane area of Waltham park (partly a subject of "Cruisin on the Waltham")

In between, they are continuing on the "Quest" to be heard above the clatter and to get their diverse yet focussed message to the four corners of the globe. This surge will not spare the guilty, but will uplift and inspire those in need.

Join in or take cover.


** Among the other works in the RAS repertoire are "Dub Story"; "Conspiracy'; "Testiment"; "Everyone's Tears"; "Neva Give Up"; and "Rise or Die". its motto "got to be brave/never be a slave'', have taken a stand in "Jamaica,Jamaica"