Every time I step onto a stage, it’s more than a performance—it’s a continuation of something much bigger than me. This past week at Albany City Hall, performing for Black History Month, I felt that weight, that honor, that responsibility. The drum is not just an instrument; it’s a storyteller, a connection to generations before us.
For Black artists, musicians, and storytellers, this month isn’t just about recognition—it’s about preservation. African, Caribbean, and African American traditions have always carried history through rhythm, through movement, through voice. When I played at City Hall, blending poetry with Makru, I wasn’t just showcasing skills—I was bringing the past into the present, honoring the journey that brought us here.
Ancestry in the Rhythm
The rhythms I use—whether it’s Makru, Rumba, or Dununba—each hold a lineage. They are sounds that have traveled through time, carried by those who refused to let their culture be erased. When I’m performing, I’m tapping into those same traditions, shaping them into something living, something evolving. I’ve studied these rhythms in places like Guinea and Cuba, not just to learn but to bring them home, to integrate them into my own artistry, to share them in spaces that need to hear them.
That’s why performing for Black History Month isn’t just another gig—it’s a calling. It’s a moment to remind ourselves of the power embedded in these traditions. It’s a chance to bring these rhythms to the people who might not otherwise get to experience them live. Schools, museums, institutions—these are places where history should be felt, not just read about.
Bringing These Traditions Forward
This isn’t just about honoring the past—it’s about making sure it lives on. That’s why I bring these rhythms into workshops, classrooms, and stages. This is why I perform. It’s why I teach.
And I want to bring this experience to more people.
• If you’re an educator, an organizer, or someone who believes in keeping these traditions alive, let’s connect.
• If you want to bring these rhythms to your school, your institution, or your festival, let’s make it happen.
This is just the beginning. See you at the next show.
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