Yasus Afari ~ The Edutainer

My name is Yasus Afari and I am a passionate writer, philosophical poet and reggae artiste / dub poet, who is inspired by the natural intrigues of life. I constantly challenge myself to defy and redefine Reggae Dub Poetry and all that I have to offer.

Born to parents whose combined age was in excess of 100 years, I was born at home in the 1960’s. It was late on a Sunday night during a thunder storm in a deep rural village in St Elizabeth, Jamaica. There was no clock, radio, watch, television or electricity in our small mud house, so no one knew if it was really Sunday or Monday morning. This personal history has fueled my self-awareness and passion for what I have perceived to be my purpose in life

The Rasta-Reggae-World-Traveler

My mother told me that I was slow to speak, so she fed me from a calabash (gourd) and I finally began to speak at about two years old. Not surprisingly, this triggered my love affair with nature, the environment and the rustic vibes of Jamaica.

In addition to this, I was a happy and receptive beneficiary of positive re-enforcement at home and at school. A case in point, I was asked to write a poem by my English teacher and my poem, The Travelling Sun was read to the class and the teacher told me, “Yasus Afari, this is a very good poem, you must continue writing.” Hence, the momentous poetic birth of Yasus Afari, The Travelling Poet, whom many consider, The Rasta-Reggae-World-Traveler.

After high school, in the 1980’s, I worked with the Jamaica Telephone company, from which I received an engineering scholarship. At college, I added music to my poetry and embraced the Rastafari Faith. This heralded the birth of my reggae artistry and unique Performance Poetry / Reggae Dub Poetry.

One Earth, One Love, One Humanity

My music, my poetry, my faith and my philosophy have all synergized to inform and inspire my perspectives and world view, as I fulfill my passion and purpose in making my contribution to the human experience as Yasus Afari. Thanks to my poetry and music, I am widely considered to be the embodiment of a Jamaican cultural icon and, in fact, I have frequently been described as one of Jamaica’s national treasures, a best kept secret and an international jewel. My work operates across many spheres of activities, yet grounded in, fueled and inspired by Spirituality and Rastafari Liviy, in harmony the concept of my personal mantra, “One Earth, One Love, One Humanity.”

In my Public Secret album, the opening track, Poetree Caan Nyam was inspired by my mother, affectionately called Mama Derrie. When I told my mother that I intend to develop a career as a poet, my mother asked if “poetry can nyam?” (Can poetry be eaten?) Consequently, Poetree Caan Nyam deliberately articulates my determination and success at publicly demonstrating that poetry can be a viable career choice.

Edutainment for Social Empowerment

My current and ongoing projects include combining education with entertainment, which I dub Edutainment, an instrument of empowerment in dispensing positive, inspirational and uplifting messages to all humanity. This affords us the honor to present performances, lectures and workshops at festivals and other music-related events as well as conferences, prisons, colleges, universities, seminars, and schools. This has taken me to over 40 countries. In so doing, I have come to be highly regarded as the premiere ‘Social Empowerment Specialist’ and a catalyst for positive social change.

I’m currently developing my own band called, Dub Vijan, writing my third book, touring consistently, facilitating workshops and promoting annual events.

Books, CDs and Social Advocacy

To date, I have released a total of eight albums: Dance Hall Baptism, Mental Assassin, Honour – Crown HIM, Gift of Vision – Yasus Afari & Friends, Revolution Chapter 1, Kiss Mi Neck, Ancient Future and Public Secret.

I have two books: Eye Pen and Overstanding Rastafari -Jamaica’s Gift to the World.

I have three annual events, production and promotion entities, and other entrepreneurial activities and projects that include: Jamaica and Rastafari’s first and only ambassador to the globally recognized Parliament of the World’s Religions, Caribbean representative of the Global Cooperative Forum and Fellow of the New Earth Institute.

Personal Advice to Other Artists

As a social entrepreneur and a social engineer who has employed words, sounds and power to positively conquer the shackles and challenges of poverty, ignorance and injustice, I encourage all artists and people of creativity to have courage and confidence in who you are and the talents with which you are blessed. We must put our thoughts and visions into reality; we are not alone, we have a shared responsibility so our unity is our strength. Therefore, let us all network and unite into a positive force of change for our planet, mother earth, humanity and the generations yet unborn.

Bless it and set it with honor, love and poetic prosperity.

Yasus Afari
Jamaican Reggae Artiste, Dub Poet, Author and Philosopher
http://www.yasusafari.com/
http://www.foxfuse.com/clients/yasusafari
http://yasusafariepk.blogspot.com
@YASUSAFARI
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