Welcome to ChrisMix Radio

Noted Jamaican Dub Poet   Yasus Afari is a name that has become synonymous with spoken word poetry in the Caribbean and globally. Born in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, Yasus grew up in a household steeped in the island's rich cultural heritage .

“My innate, organic Spirituality sparked my interest, in due season, in harmony with my cultural environment and social realities,” said the Poet who regularly hosts events promoting poetry both in Jamaica as well as internationally.

      His love for poetry and music was nurtured from a young age, and he quickly became known as a wordsmith who could weave intricate rhymes with ease. But Yasus' talent went beyond mere entertainment. He used his gift for words to shine a light on the social and political issues affecting Jamaica and the Caribbean. With his sharp wit and piercing insights, Yasus became a voice for the voiceless, a champion for the oppressed and marginalised.  

“My upbringing and socio-cultural environment and attendant realities influenced my world view, my interests and my poetry and music. However, having said that, my poetry and music manifested naturally, in the fullness of time, based on my organic genetic imprint / spiritual DNA which is responsible for my God-given talents, purpose and abilities,” he explained.

    With his strong connection to music, he indicates that he could not have imagined pursuing a career outside of the arts. “It's difficult to say what I would have done, if I had abandoned my purpose, as you can’t run away from yourself, at least not for too long... However, it may have been engineering and/or marketing, which, I hope, would have naturally found a way to poetry and music for the empowerment, inspiration and upliftment of our people and of all humanity.”

    Some of his greatest influences come from his religious background, namely that of Rastafari as he credits Emperor Haile Selassie the First as his primal, primary and major inspiration and influence. Pablo Moses, Bunny Wailer, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Sugar Minott are amongst others have also played an influence in his music.  

“Largely speaking, other than and in harmony with the influences alluded to before, Rastafari Livity, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Miss Lou and all the Liberators (in and outside of music) with/to whom I've been exposed, have collectively influenced and impacted my music,” he said.

      However, despite being known widely for reggae, other genres are not outside of his comfort zone nor are ones he hasn’t and won’t hesitant to peruse. “I love music, all kind of music, once the vibe is positive and inspirational. I have experimented with jazz, hip hop, dancehall, dub step and others. Therefore, I'm open to be inspired by any genre of music, which I can pursue along with reggae,” he told   www.chrismixradio.com.

Every artist wishes to impact their audience and convey some sort of emotion or thought and Yasus is no exception. “I ceaselessly aspire to inspire hope, positive inspiration, love, confidence and worth/self-esteem via my poetry, music, works.”

Involved in various community and educational initiatives throughout his career, the importance of giving back to one’s community and empowering others is in the forefront of his mind. “I’m aware that in giving, you receive and in receiving you give. Yet, I am   also aware that it's better to give than to receive. You also reap what you sow and somehow, sow what you reap, so reciprocity is the operative element. Therefore, it's vitally important to give forward to your community to fulfil and justify the natural cycles. The arts, generally, poetry and music, specifically, are agents and tools of education and true liberation and in this connection, education is the key. Therefore, this is why we specialize in edutainment.”

    In 2023, he released an album called   Golden Spoon Maroon which he says will inspire and mobilise various audiences.

“It is designed to inspire, motivate and mobilise the indigenous, sovereign, first nation peoples of humanity and our planet, mother earth, so that we can claim our rightful place in earth, humanity and the family of nations. This is the message we aspire to convey, relate and communicate,” he told   www.chrismixradio.com in an exclusive interview.

 In 2023, he also released an EDM remix of   What a Sinting , featuring Ini Kamoze, from his Golden Spoon Maroon album shortly after staging the inaugural Jamaica Poetry, Music Symposium 2023.    After hosting the 13th Annual Jamaica Poetry Festival 2023 which included the Visions of Hope Dinner, he donated 100% of the proceeds to help persons with disabilities.

    Yasus Afari's impact on Jamaican music and culture cannot be overstated. As a poet, musician, and cultural ambassador, he has dedicated his life to spreading the message of love, unity, and social justice through his music and writings. His unique style of blending reggae with spoken word poetry has earned him worldwide recognition and respect, and his influence on the next generation of Jamaican artists is immeasurable.

    For those who would emulate him, he has this to say:   “know yourself, be yourself, fulfil your purpose in life. Be true to your people & serve with dignity and integrity and reap immortality!”

Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Kingston, Jamaica. Reverend Al Miller, Senior Pastor at Fellowship Tabernacle Church, yesterday called on Industry leaders in Reggae music to boldly take back the reins and direction of Reggae and make it back into the music of strong messages, power and transformation that it is known for.

“I challenge the music fraternity – if you believe that reggae is message music, then invest in it and use it to turn our nation around….let us use it to create change and transformation in Jamaica,” said Miller at the Reggae Month church service held at his church on Sunday.  

“Reggae music can either be used positively or negatively. In the latter years, the negative has been our experience ... but yuh see when it a go down, we a go tun it up again, and accomplish what the early thinkers and framers intended,” said Miller, while emphasizing the need for strong leadership.

‘Industry leaders shouldn’t be following backa the artistes them and going with whatever is being done. You have to set the parameters and then when you set that, you determine what is priority,” Miller told the packed church which included Music Industry representatives such as the Minister of   Culture Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister Olivia Grange, Minister of Finance and Planning Minister Dr Nigel Clarke, Head of Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) Ewan Simpson, Head of the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA) Frankie Campbell, representative of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians and Affiliated Unions (JFMAU) Althea Hewitt, members of the Diplomatic Corps from the Republic of Columbia, Argentina, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago as well as other musicians and dignitaries.

“Reggae is message music. The word music comes from muse – which means giving people something to think about,” said Miller, while urging the leaders to ensure that Reggae be used as a tool for national transformation and global unity.

He stressed that if properly directed Reggae could take Jamaica to greater heights both economically and culturally while also ensuring that Jamaica continued to spread the message of One Love that Bob Marley’s music had given the wider global community.

The One love message of Reggae was also similarly lauded by Ministers Grange and Clarke.

“We (Jamaica) small but we have a message for the world – the message of One Love. We must internalise it for ourselves and keep spreading it,” said Minister Clarke while addressing the Kingston head office of Fellowship Tabernacle.

In turn, Minister Grange encouraged the continued celebration of Reggae and its power beyond February.

“Let us not confine reggae to this month alone but continue to embrace its timeless message,” she said in her address to the congregants.  

During the vibrant three-hour church services, there were a variety of performances from the church’s creative arm – choir and dance ministries – using reggae. Singer Keron Clarke did an item that was well received and the Lightning Drummers from Ardenne received a standing ovation for their performance.

Reggae Month was first celebrated on January 9, 2008 by the Jamaican Government. This was done to highlight Reggae’s impact on Jamaica’s social, cultural, and economic development.