stepping onto the stage from behind the large draperies. Feelings of anticipation sparked by the call: P L A C E S … from the stage manager. The smattering of applause, building to an thunderous rhythm, peppered with yelps, and yells, screams, and whistles as the announcer shares my bio with the waiting crowd. A spotlight center stage illuminates my djembe drum just waiting there for me. I’m on the edge of the light, carrying a small piano stool which I place behind the drum then i stand erect raise my hand to acknowledge the audience-first the balcony, then the wings both sides, the back stage crew both sides and finally center house. At once the audience rise to their feet a sudden explosion of clapping and howling as I breathe it all in. Then I bend at the waist as in the beginning of a bow, tilt back, bend knees and sit on the small piano stool. Base, Tone, Slap, base tone slap base, base,tone, tone, slap, base, tone, tone slap, base tone, tone, slap, base tone, tone, slap, base, tone, tone, slap- the audience begins to clap along in time, Mark, Mark enters with the harmonizing djembe – adding fire to the mix of percussive sound. Then I raise my voice to the heavens. Vocalizing the truth as I know it…
THE ANCESTORS SAY TO PLAY MY DRUM…
PLAY FOR YOU THIS AFRICAN SOUND
FIND A RHYTHM TO CLAP YOUR HANDS
WE ARE CONNECTED TO THE ELEMENTS
C O N N E C T E D
THE ANCESTORS SAY THAT I SHOULD TRY
TO GET YOU TO RAISE YOUR VOICE UP HIGH
FIND THE MESSAGE IN THIS SONG
SOMEBODY SCREAM, Y’ALL -THIS IS HOW WE’LL GET ALONG
C O N N E C T E D Like leaves to the tress, ( C O N N E C T E D ) Like sand to the beach, ( C O N N E C T E D ) Like stars in the sky, ( C O N N E C T E D ) Yes, you and I are: C O N N E C T E D
THE ANCESTORS SAY TO TAKE A CHANCE
THE PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO DANCE
FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND MAKE A BEAT
YOU WILL SEE THEM MOVE THEIR FEET. C O N N E C T E D
Like grass to the ground (C O N N E C T E D ) Black, white, and brown (C O N N E C T E D ). Like ice in a glass (C O N N E C T E D ). Like now to our past (C O N N E C T E D ) Like clouds to the rain (C O N N E C T E D ) Like joy and pain (C O N N E C T E D ) Like heat the sun (C O N N E C T E D ) My hand on a drum (C O N N E C T E D )
There once was a young man, just crossing that bridge between childhood and manhood. It was time for him to declare his path, what he would do with his life. In the early teen age years, just beyond tween-dome, a boy must consider his gifts, the needs of his community, his purpose. It is his responsibility to determiner how he would use his gift call life, to help make the world a better place-for the sake of Mother Earth.
…To Be Continued
Oba William King Virtual and LIVE Program Booking 