June 2025 was Filled with Joy

June culminated with nominations, a few online performances, several poems published and 20 spoken word tracks in conjunction with Legendary Ink. Here are my updates.

Verse-Virtual
My poem, Take Your Flowers, was published by Verse-Virtual.

Pulse Poetry Magazine
The June issue of Pulse Poetry Magazine is out! Toyer Fahie is on pages 5 and 6. I’m on page 10 with My Love for BVI Culture and page 22 with Our Treasure. Find Nelly Vee on pages 11, 19 and 23. There’s some great work by Klassy Poet, Tiffany Mariie, Lisa Lipps Davis and other talented poets.

Whispers of Spring's Serenade
My poem, Fruit on the Vines, was selected for the Whispers of Spring's Serenade. 

Micromance Magazine
My short story, The One-Year Wait, was published by Micromance Magazine. I’d love to hear you feedback on this story. 

Virgin Islands Artist Feature - Scrouge

My featured artist for June was Scrouge. Click here for the article.

2nd Place Poem Dedicated to Toyer Fahie

Please read my second place poem in the IPC Poetry Contest (tied with Henry Jones) about my fellow Virgin Islands poet, Toyer Fahie. 

Nominations

1. National Spoken Word Awards: I’ve been nominated for the National Spoken Word Awards for Best International Artist. Please vote for me: https://shout.com/s/iXedCkDb/i/2313049
2. The Virgin Islands Icon Awards: I was nominated for The Vrgin Islands Icon Award in the category of Writing and Publishing.

I am very grateful for the nominations and votes.

The Writer's Block Poetry Collective
On May 30, 2025, I performed during the The Writer's Block Poetry Collective presents... Mz.KIR's online open mic part 3. I performed Blood Rose and The Receipt for Making Me. 

June 6, 2025 Readings

• Calling All Poets Series: The phenomenal featured poets were Holly Iglesias, Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram and Arthur Russell. I shared Rent and Afraid of My Shadow. View the reading here: https://youtu.be/7n4PYHZBSvs?si=aI8V0zH0mawyJsce
• Live with Mz.KIR podcast: I particpated in the Live with Mz.KIR podcast and shared Arrest and Oversexualized. View the session here: https://youtu.be/XtF9aqitaz0?si=_gCOBHnJCOrgpPHK

Orenaug Mountain Poetry Journal Readings

• I performed People I've Met Along the Way at the June 2025 Poetry Reading and Roundtable online reading on June 7, 2025. 
• I shared my poem, Deny, at the June 8, 2025 reading which was held to showcase the work of the poets in the Lost Love anthology. This poem was written in October 2024 for the Worcesteshire Lit Fringe Promptober Challenge and is dedicated to my mother who passed on October 1, 2018.

Keeping the Flame Magazine
My poem, Filtration, was published in the Keeping in the Flame Magazine.

Otherwise Engaged A Literature and Arts Journal
I have three poems, Images, Pure and Peace and Revival, published in Otherwise Engaged A Literature and Arts Journal Volume 15. 

Lit eZine Vol 8
My poem, Floating Ghosts, was published in Lit eZine Vol 8.

Let's Po-et
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, I joined Nita Chase and her amazing team, Nuri and Stephanue and shared Collaboration State of Mind and Vibes. 

June Video Uploads

I have been sharing weekly reel on my social media pages. Here are some that are shared on YouTube.

• Fears: https://youtube.com/shorts/7TW4R1Ch6sA
• For Real: https://youtube.com/shorts/IevY26kUR44
• My Delight: https://youtube.com/shorts/Q-xg7w6UmRA
• Not for the Weak: https://youtube.com/shorts/U95QC2Ff7Ak

Spoken Word Collaborations with Legendary Ink

We continue to prepare some sumptious dishes in the literary kitchen. Take a listen!

1. Oh My God: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/oh-my-god-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
2. Jezebels: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/jezebels-part-2-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
3. Got 2 Be There: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/got-2-be-there-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
4. Blood Rose: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/blood-rose-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
5. Afraid of My Shadow: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/afraid-of-my-shadow-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
6. Perfect Stranger: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/perfect-stranger-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
7. Lay Your Body Down: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/lay-your-body-down-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
8. I Gambled on Love: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/i-gambled-on-love-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
9. A House is Not a Home: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/a-house-is-not-a-home-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
10. You Belong to Me: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/you-belong-to-me-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
11. Time Waits for No One: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/time-waits-for-no-one-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
12. I Cannot Function: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/i-cannot-function-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
13. The Beautiful Sunset: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/the-beautiful-sunset-la-rabsatt-vocals
14. Love Sounds: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/love-sounds-la-rabsatt-vocals
15. Cold: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/cold-part-2-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
16. Love Crimes: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/love-crimes-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
17. Vibes: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/vibes-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
18. Dust and Echoes: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/dust-echoes-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
19. Save Her: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/save-her-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
20. Web of Desire: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/web-of-desire-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
21. Light Pulse: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/light-pulse-la-rabastt-c-double34-music-vocals

New Poem: Tight Curls

if these strands tangle
it will take too much time
to clear the mane
one knot is enough
to cause catastrophe
leaving uneven tresses
in this frustrating process
that’s not for the
faint of heart
or the ones with
softer texture
to manage
it takes care and patience
to lovingly handle
every lock with care
so that each wisp
stays in place
even when the tightest curl
tends to unfurl
at its own beckoning
it’s beautiful to see
a full mane
tamed or untamed
suited to the wearer

© Linette Rabsatt 6-29-2025

July should be more exciting with my participation in an event in St. Thomas, The Virgin Islands Icon Awards on July 6 and more work published.

Virgin Islands Music Spotlight: Soca Artist - Scrouge

Scrouge

I was able to connect with this artist through I-Bari. We had an engaging conversation about his inspiration, plans and goals. Scrouge offered some solid advice for persons interested in music. He also shared his viewpoints and gave some background about how he gets his music out there. 

These are his words.

Who is Scrouge?
Scrouge is a soca artist born and raised in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. I graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS). Then I attended Full Sail University and acquired a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business. After that, I attacked the world as an entrepreneur. That's what I do day-to-day - music, graphic design, and Big Days Racing, my new thoroughbred racehorse ownership group on the mainland.

Who's the team behind you?
I have a small team. People think I have a major team, but I have these key players behind me:

• V the Goat Management is managed by my fiancée. She does everything in the book including bookings, meetings, styling, and more.
• JC Management is led by Jelan Cumberbatch in Trinidad. He's also my booking agent. He works with Farmer Nappy, Problem Child, Olatunji, and other heavy hitters.
• Humble Success is a clothing brand and is a major part of my team for clothing and getting me ready for the stage, as well as a Big Bro/business partner being a daily mentor for me about life and daily encounters.
• Keep it Loud Crew is my musical distribution company, jointly owned with Sensi Star.

These individuals/entities are key components that make me who I am along with the fans.

What inspired you to get into music?
Growing up in the Caribbean, my family played music every weekend. Music is like second nature – music in the car or when you’re cleaning. That was the start for me. What got me interested in music was my participation in the marching, concert, and symphonic bands in high school. I have to big-up Georgia Francis, the greatest band teacher ever from CAHS. She played a major role in helping me learn music. I had the opportunity to learn the classical side of music and how it meshes with our local flavor. I utilize the classical and foundational sides of music to transition into my everyday sound.

I was in the process of moving to New York for school in 2005 with my Uncle Taiwo and he introduced me to the international soca side of stuff. He took me to Eastern Parkway for the Labor Day Parade and many fetes!!! After that, I was like - I don’t mind doing this and taking it seriously.

What has been your greatest musical achievement thus far?
My greatest musical achievement thus far was being honored in 2022 in Charleston, South Carolina as the Carifest Grand Marshall, Carnival Ambassador, and recipient of the Charleston Carifest Outstanding Community Service Award. That's big because I started going to a place where I didn't know anyone to them booking me three years in a row. The Charleston community is Famalay. 

Today, I walk down the streets and people comment, 'That’s Scrouge.'

I have to shout out Ms. Lorna Shelton Beck for taking a chance and giving me an opportunity to touch the Charleston Carifest stage early in my career. Now look how it all played out - this is my city!!! Humble and Thankful for being honored! They Love Me And I Love them too!

Who do you listen to?
I listen to everything. I'm very open when it comes to music.

• Machine Gun Kelly – Hip Hop/Rock and Roll
• I-Bari, Banco Bizmol, Big Shaw, Th3rd, Jelani Kendall, E.Nikk, Empire the Artist - local artists
• Jay-Z, Young Thug, Young Jeezy, Lil Baby – Hip Hop
• Matisyahu - Alternative Rock & Pop
• Friday - R&B
• Burna Boy, Wiz Kid, Shatta Wale - Afrobeat
• Bunji Garlin, Patrice Roberts - Soca/Calypso
• Vybz Kartel, Nhance, Rygin King, Popcaan, Masicka – Dancehall

I listen to music like Callaloo - it has different ingredients. The ingredients are here, there, and everywhere, not just one substance.

It’s good for me to be an artist who likes to hear different things because it helps to put me in a different zone since I have a wide body of music to listen to. A lot of people might comment that they didn’t know I listen to so many different genres of music.

Scrouge with his award from the Charleston Carifest

What stage have you always dreamed of performing on?
I've been on many different shows, but my goal is to perform at the Antilliaanse Feesten in Germany, which is held in August. I have to touch that stage. It’s one of the biggest goals for me right now.

I’m on a different road – if everyone is going to stay on Earth, then I’m heading to space. I like to be different. When I went to Shreveport, Louisiana a few days ago, everyone was asking how I could visit there to perform soca. The promoter mentioned she saw me perform in Utah at the Afro Utah Fest and asked, "They listen to soca out there?" My team understands what I'm looking for and seeking to accomplish. We have something big on the table right now. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

I say music is like church. If you go to church every Sunday and you see the same people in the congregation, that means the message isn't being heard and isn't getting passed on to anyone. 

So you're doing music, going in the same arenas, same place all the time, seeing the same people - who is the music reaching? I like to go to places where no one knows me, but by the time I leave, they know who Scrouge is. They love my vibes and they become not only a fan, but family. Sometimes, they are not familiar with soca or calypso, but when I finish my set, they become fans.

Who have you collaborated with?
The most notable artist I’ve collaborated with was Mandella Links from Grenada who sang the hit song “Tombstone.” I did a song entitled “Mass Destruction remix with him. I've been on riddim projects with other notable artists such as The Lava Man from Grenada and Fimba from St. Vincent and The Grenadines.

Which artists would you wish to perform or write with?
It would more be to write because I’ve performed alongside all of the greats in the soca industry. I’ve performed with Machel Montano three or four times and Bunji Garlin two times. I’ve been on tour with Patrice Roberts and opened 6 to 8 shows for her. I would like to do a track with Patrice Roberts or Bunji Garlin. Outside of the soca/calypso arena, I would say Sean Paul or Shaggy.

What are your plans for your music for the rest of 2025?
I'm pushing consistency for the rest of 2025:

• I’m assembling some releases. We just released the first one, which is Hydraulics. Make sure you check it out!
• I’m working on improving my consistency in putting out great projects. I feel that’s an area I have to work on. I have to be consistent and not fall in love with certain things. Sometimes, you devise a plan with your music and then you fall in love with what you have out and forget about the rest of the plan. 

This year, I’m pushing consistency and building towards that to create a greater product, as in my music, for the fans.

What's your favorite song of yours?
My favorite song of mine is Memories. I can hear my other songs in my head saying, ‘So, I wasn’t your favorite?’ Memories is my favorite because I wrote this song when the pandemic had just hit. It was very connecting and even as I talk about it or every time I sing the song, I get emotional because it reminds me of who I was at that time singing the song. I had a bunch of shows lined up and then I got a call from Jelan Cumberbatch, my booking agent, to let me know that all my shows were canceled for the rest of the year. I had travelled to the Bahamas and when I returned, I saw everyone wearing masks and was very confused. Then, I was told that shows were canceled because of COVID-19.

My producer, Pam Pam sent me this beat and the first thing that came to mind was, 

“I beg you, won't you come back to me, Leh we make memories again. And then I say the sound of a big truck passing, the sight of a bam bam rolling, the feeling of carnival every day.” 

It's like I was missing everything. Every time I sing it, that song gets me emotional.

My music is from the heart and that song is surely from my heart. That song connects with everybody. I visited Louisiana recently, and a little girl sang the whole song for me. When I got there, she met me and said, “Mr. Srcouge, my favorite song is Memories.’ Kirsikka of Soca Dance in Finland, a dance group, posted a video a week ago dancing to Memories. That song keeps me grounded and reminds me that ‘you could be here but at any minute you don’t know what the future holds.’

Scrouge doing what he loves best - performing

What advice do you have for young people interested in music?
My advice to young people and anybody interested in music:

• Do what you want to do at the end of the day.
• Don't be afraid to walk your own road and your own path.
• Your story is nobody else's story.
• If it doesn't fit for you, as in this road, don't be afraid to make a left or a right or a u-turn. Walk your own path and do you. Don't let anybody detour you from that.

Can you share something that most people wouldn't know about you?
I haven’t eaten meat for 20-plus years - no chicken, no beef. I eat fish. When I was like 7-8, I ate some meat and got sick and never ate it after that.

Who would you like to shout out?
I want to shout out everybody, as in the fans, who have been with me in the past, who are with me now, and who will be with me in the future. My team as mentioned above and I thank them for their support!

Is there anything else that you'd want to share with the readers?
Stay connected with with Scrouge. Follow me on Instagram, X and SnapChat as @Scrougemusic and Facebook as Lashawn Scrouge Selwood. On all digital music platforms - Apple Music and Spotify, you can find me as Scrouge. Look for Scrouge and continue streaming and supporting me and my music.

Scrouge

Scrouge has promised to deliver some great music this year so please support him.