Michael Robinson, Gleaner writer

The Blacq Road Muziq crew (front, from left): Daddy GT, Jabari, Guiding Star, Yuton Green. (On the wall, from left): Sammy, Ras Ruggu. - Photo by Michael Robinson

"De future depends on de present to survive. Children walk a clean straight line ah see ah sign.

Mine what yu sign when yu sign what yu sign dat yu sign.

American come, yu sign. Japan come, yu sign. Chinese come, yu sign. Everyone come, yu sign.

Man! Ah see a sign."

— From 'Sign' by Guiding Star

The words of Guiding Star resonate with the purity of a genuine observer. A natural poet, he's been writing since the '70s and the work has always struck a chord with his listeners. To hear him tell it, everyone that hears his poems has something encouraging to say. Guiding Star's positive energy makes him immediately likeable.

Dub poetry is the spoken word over reggae rhythms. The rhythms are usually created for the poem as opposed to just dropping a poem over a per-existing beat. The result is an organic fusion that retains the raw expression of speech while stimulating parts of the brain responsible for creativity and abstract thought.

Staying true to his art for three decades has gained him critical acclaim from the creative community. He has worked with such notables as Yami Bolo, General Trees and Yuton Green. The name Guiding Star was actually given to him by Gregory Isaacs. "Ah one night I an Bolo go check Gregory Issacs," he remembers. He says the 'Cool Ruler', being so moved by his demeanour and his performance, insisted he change his name on the spot. "Him seh, 'Bolo, don't call him Jah Strength, him name Guiding Star. Guiding Star him name'."

Sign is a piece that earned Star a silver medal and a certificate of merit in JCDC's national competition in 2004. The official nod was tempered, he thinks, by the fact that there was no financial remuneration to help with his production costs. He is quick to point out, however, his gratitude for what was bestowed: "Mi give tanks fi weh dem gimme still," laughs the rastaman.

Responsibilities

With four children and a deep respect for the value of a father's input, Guiding Star has spent time and energy raising his family. As a result, his poetry has probably not taken him as far as it could have. His demo CD is teeming with solid rhythms and powerful messages. Daddy is a message to fathers about being strong role models for their young ones. Stay In I Self is about staying true to the voice within which is the root of all creation. The music is sometimes roots reggae, sometimes upbeat with a touch of hip hop influence, and the messages are always compelling.

Dub poetry has come a long way since the '70s. More and more people are appreciating this uniquely Jamaican form of expression. Mutabaruka, the genre's most well-known ambassador, has taken the art to many corners of the earth. DYCR is a contemporary dub poet who has been getting good airplay locally in recent years. Large numbers of the spoken word artistes can also be found in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Jamaica's mainstream, however, still eludes the genre. "De poet world ah nuh like de music world,"muses Guiding Star. He believes the marketing and promotional machinery that is in place for music just isn't available to dub poets. "A man just haffi see yuh and like your ting fi you really get a full play inna de market business." Indeed, it seems to be harder for poets to catch a break. Star is managed by Daddy GT of Blacq Road Muziq based in Marverly, St Andrew. Daddy GT also manages popular deejay DeMarco and, among other things, also wears the caps of producer and event manger. The well-spoken and unassuming GT manages several acts under the Blacq Road Muziq umbrella and it is admirable to see a man who understands the value of dub poetry in a time when Jamaica needs positive messages.

For his part, Guiding Star is ready. "Mi have poet jus a pack up and a wait pon mi fi go a studio fi do I ting." He is currently putting an album together, but bemoans the fact that progress is slow due to a scarcity of resources. Still, he perseveres because for him, 'music is not money'.

"Now, let your heart be comfort and keep in steadfast love."

— From 'Stay In I Self' by Guiding Star