Standing in Albany City Hall for Black History Month, surrounded by the echoes of history, I felt the rhythm move through me. The steady pulse of Makru, the weight of the words in my poetry, the connection between voice and drum—it was more than a performance. It was a moment of reflection, a bridge between past and present.
Music and rhythm have always been the backbone of storytelling in African and Afro-diasporic traditions. Before there were books, before there were recordings, there was the drum. It spoke of struggle, of triumph, of movement. It carried history in a way that words alone never could. That’s why I approach each performance with intention. When I play, I’m tapping into something much bigger than myself.
Rhythm as Resistance, Rhythm as Celebration
The Makru rhythm has a spirit of its own. It’s a rhythm of transformation, of energy shifting, of movement. Pairing it with poetry in City Hall was about more than just performance—it was about reclaiming space. About showing that these rhythms, these traditions, still live, still breathe, still shape the world around us.
That’s what I bring into every space I perform in. Whether it’s City Hall, the NYS Museum, or Opalka Gallery, the goal is the same: to create a shared experience where rhythm, culture, and history all collide in the present moment.
Next Stop: NYS Museum - February 19th
The journey continues at the New York State Museum on February 19th, where I’ll be bringing these rhythms to another historic space. This is an open invitation to experience the power of rhythm, poetry, and movement firsthand.
If you missed City Hall, don’t miss this. Every performance is different, but the heartbeat remains the same.
🎟️ Join me at the NYS Museum on February 19th (Insert Event Link)
Then, Opalka Gallery on April 4th
From the NYS Museum, we keep the energy moving to Opalka Gallery on April 4th. Bigger stage, deeper rhythms, an evolving journey.
🔗 Come experience the power of rhythm for yourself. Opalka Gallery VIP Experience
Let’s keep the rhythm moving.
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