PARADIGM: an example
of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its
inflectional forms.
SHIFTER: one
who changes the place, position, or direction of.
Talented. When you refer to some
musicians, you have to use the word sparingly. Not the case for our
December Poetry Feature, NGOMA. In fact, that's an
understatement. Dubbed "the Paradigm Shifter", he is
constantly changing the ways that music and poetry are heard.
Whether he expresses himself through his thought provoking poetry,
or if he chooses to display his creativity with music, NGOMA always
brings a message. His versatility allows him to draw verse on
any subject, whether that be politics, sex, life, knowledge: any
subject at all. For over 30 years, NGOMA has raised awareness
on all levels through music and words. His belief in the power of
words has encouraged poets from all walks of life, including myself,
to move past wanting egotistical praise for the art , to accepting
and embracing the responsibility it carries with it. He encourages
others to question everything, every time. Anytime I speak with
NGOMA I learn something new, not only about him, but about myself.
He is the kind of person who challenges you to think, without it
being his intention. Imagine if you talked to a person who asks you
a question every now and then, that would make you pause before you
answer. Yeah, that sh*t CAN be mind blowing, but once you leave the
conversation, you are rejuvenated, or curious, or just, THINKING. No
wonder they call him the Paradigm Shifter. Not many possess his
effortless skills. Not many could even if they tried.
Hello Ngoma! It's great to interview you once again! For those people who are not familiar with you, can you tell them a little about yourself and your art?
I'm a performance poet, singer/songwriter, and paradigm shifter. I live in NYC. I've been involved in art most of my life, since age 7, when I started violin lessons. I have been fortunate enough to live thru the Civil Rights era, The Black Power era, and the Vietnam era. I am a Vietnam Infantry Vet. Upon surviving that ordeal, I vowed to take on the responsibility of using art as a vehicle to raise social and spiritual consciousness. I have been doing so for close to 35 years.
Your poetry seems to be inspired by several things, to include music.
Being that you are a musician, how do you incorporate poetry into your
music?
Some artist write for the sake of art. I don't. I write with purpose and intention. I'm a graphic artist as well as a musician. Somewhat of a control freak, I like to have my hands in every aspect of the art I produce. Primarily I'm trying to find as many ways as possible to get information to those who need it. I consider myself a cultural worker. So over the past 3 decades many of the projects that I have participated in were multi-disciplined. I try not to limit creative expression, so I've done some theater and dance also wall murals and posters . As far as the music is concerned. It came first. I started learning music long before I started poetry. I wrote my first poem in Vietnam. I didn’t think that I had anything to say before then. I like the use of music with poetry because I feel that it is enhancing. Having socially critical lyrics, music makes the bitter a little easier to swallow. Music is also healing, so I use healing instruments, such as the Australian didgeridoo to help ease the pain.
How would you describe your music?
I don't do tracks and samples etc. All of the music is original w/the exception of some traditional freedom songs. I'm not sure it can be boxed. The description of my latest CD - "Ngoma's Take Out" is a compilation of Smokin' Spoken word cuisine w/Jazz/Funk Fusion. A delectable blend of dark delicious didgeridoo, sizzlin electric violin and luscious flute topped w/a hint of acapella freedom song.
I also have been creating a style of music that I describe as Ancient Future Meditational Music. It's primarily music without lyrics to aide in reaching a meditative trance state with the use of ancient instruments as well as contemporary ones. Its' vibrations celebrate our ancestors and opens chakras. It's designed to give alignment with the universe.
How many different instruments do you play?
I play about ten instruments. I'm still looking for others to try. Obviously I'm not playing them all. Right now my instrumental concentration is electric violin, didgeridoo, flute and acoustic guitar. I was an instrumental music education major, so I got to play instruments in all of the instrument families (String, brass, reed, woodwind and percussion).
What kind of impact has poetry had on your life?
Poetry gave me a voice. Not me actually. I feel that it has given the oppressed a voice. I think also that our ancestors speak thru me. Remember, we are all spirit in a solid form. All things are connected. Sooner or later, we'll all figure that out. Until then we're going to have problems.
Poetry has shaped my life to a great degree by helping to feed my intellectual curiosity. It has also been a sword and shield in times of refuge. It's been a close friend and a cheap psychiatrist. It has enabled me to travel, and meet and reach people that I may never have met with out it. It also allows me to share experiences and information to those who need to hear it.
What message(s) do you try to deliver through your poetry?
I try to write poetry and produce art that raises contradictions and searches for solutions for a just and peaceful world.
What projects are you working on now?
January 17th, 2005 I'm hosting an invitational poetry slam at the Dr Martin Luther King Festival of Environmental and Social Justice. It's a family festival at the Peabody Museum - Yale Univ. New Haven, Ct. This is the 9th year that I have been fortunate enough to host it. It's a poetry slam where poets that do socially critical poetry are celebrated and given the opportunity to speak out. Poets are selected for the social content of their work as well as having slammed in International, National and Regional events affiliated with the National Poetry Slam Network Inc. For other projects, performance schedules and products, info etc. Check my web site-
www.Ngomazworld.com
What words of advice do you have to share with young poets and musicians?
Read as much as you can. Listen to as much music as you can. Different styles etc. Experience life as much as you can. Never think that you know it all and have nothing to learn. Be sure your pitcher is full before trying to pour. Always question authority and strive beyond your limitations.
If the world was your stage for 3 minutes, what would you say/play?
I'd strive to create peace and harmony-This is the quest of the 21st Century.
Thank you Ngoma!!
Click here to read some of NGOMA'S poetry,
and be sure to visit his site!!
