POEM: Party

Worcestershire LitFest & Fringe, thank you for today's prompt, "party."

This Tanka poem is dedicated to our Virgin Islands' exquisite tart filling and special liqueur.
The 2nd best tart filling got a poem!

Poem: relief

 

Worcestershire LitFest & Fringe, thank you for today's prompt word, "relief." Life is a journey of ups and downs and I wanted my piece to show what happens when things are upside down and when you land on your feet.

Poem: One Hand by Linette Rabsatt

This piece is based on the Caribbean saying that "one hand can't clap." Let me know if I captured the essence of this proverb in this piece.

My Super September Poetic Highlights and a New Poem

September is my favorite month because of course, I am a Virgo. During this month, I shared my work on several platforms. I am forever grateful to my family, friends and supporters. I'm always appreciative of feedback so please reply here or on the various links.

Here's the September journey:

• Poem Published on Poetry X Hunger

My poem, Fade Away, was published on the Poetry X Hunger's website. Poetry X Hunger's mission is to use poetry to raise awareness, compassion, and funding. Kindly leave a comment on the page with your feedback on my piece.

• National Spoken Word Awards (NSWA)

Thank you to the 270 persons who voted for me in the National Spoken Word Awards! Life is a journey. I want to inspire the world with my words. Being nominated is a feat in itself. I will continue to share my words in the hopes of inspiring the masses. Invest in what grows you!

• The P.O.E.T Radio Station

I shared my poem, De-Stress, on the P.O.E.T Radio Station's Voice Behind the Pen on September 9, 2024 for the NSWA Celebration. I was on from 1:28:35 until 1:33:55 and received feedback on my piece. On September 30, 2024, I shared Bob Marley Vibrations during another call-in show. I was on from 1:06:40 until 1:07:27.

• Pulse Poetry Magazine

I am so happy about the September issue of Pulse Poetry Magazine! I'm on pages 66 and 67, but please check out the other talented poets!

• Pulse of the Caribbean Podcast

Please check out my interview for the Pulse of the Caribbean Podcast: #30 HR, Farming, and Poetry: The Multifaceted Journey of Caribbean Poet Linette Rabsatt. Honestly, I never realized that I talked so much. During the interview, I shared Mama's Prayers.

• Micromance Magazine

My poem, Roses in Bloom, was published in Micromance Magazine! It's a little different from the pieces I usually share which are more focused on struggle, unity, nature, etc. This poem is for the "lover in you" because Micromance Magazine is all about love!

• Let's Poet

I performed during an online poetry event with Nita Chase and Let's Poet on September 28, 2024. I shared two pieces, Loving Me (12:15 to 13:36) and Love Above the Label (1:51:14 to 1:52:35).

• New Poem

Here's a poem to close out September:

Heartfelt

the race is not for the swift

but when God grants you a gift

be sure to use it wisely

and with his guidance

use it timely

because you should seek

to do better

you should work proudly

to honor your ancestors

because legacy is a true concept

remember our foreparents'

hard work and intellect

use that inspiration

to ensure that you leave the nation

in a better condition

that you met it in

© Linette Rabsatt 9-30-2024

New Poetry Video: Who Am I

I absolutely would love your feedback on this poem. Who do you think I am referring to?

My Poetic Journey: Highlights from August 2024

I would call August my regeneration month. The territory was filled with activity. We celebrated the 70th Emancipation Festival with a plethora of exciting activities. I continued to promote work by sharing poems and participating in online events. I also submitted poems to several journals and magazine for review.

Here’s what August looked like for me:

• Pulse Poetry Magazine

I shared two poems in the Healed and Having Fun issue of Pulse Poetry Magazine. I shared Cloud Love and Taking Turns on pages 17 and 18.

• Calling All Poets Series

I performed during the Calling All Poets Series Open Mic on August 2. I'm on from 1:59:40 to 2:02:05, but of course, I encourage you to view to the entire reading to hear the featured readers and other open mic performances.

• Poetry Competition

I joined another She Barz Poetry Competition focused on Mental Health on August 3.

• Hurricane Ernesto

On August 14, Hurricane Ernesto impacted the Virgin Islands. My garden surely took a hit. However, I persevere.

• Poetry Judging

I was one of the judges in a She Barz Competition focused on comedy on August 24, 2024.

• Performance

I performed at Nita Chase’s Poets and Spoken Word Artists Exhaling on the Mic on August 24. 

• Music Blog

I interviewed Stefan about his new album NORI and shared the article on August 24. 

I hope to have lots more to share in September. Of course, if please grab a copy of my book, Be Inspired: Poems by Linette Rabsatt.

Here's a haiku:

earth's heart beats wildly
turbulence dances supreme
rain and thunder roam
© Linette Rabsatt 9-8-2024

New Album: NORI by Stefan - Stefan's Insights & Listeners' Views

I first met Stefan in April 2024 when I shared a blog post about him. Stefan has delivered a masterpiece with his thirteen-track album, NORI, which was released on August 16, 2024. I would say that this album is clean, comfortable, relatable, and evoked emotion to keep me listening!

 

Let's Hear Stefan's Perspective
I had a chat with Stefan and he shared the following about NORI.

What Inspired This Album?
“NORI was created based on a story that I wrote that was inspired by the weird time after COVID-19 where I would go to the beach with my friends. Every week before the curfew, we would always go to the beach. That was a very happy time in my life - not because of COVID-19 stuff but just being around my friends and going to the beach every week. That’s a really happy time in my life and the story was created around that. I know I wanted to make a story with that because the beach was such a good vibe. That's why the project starts with us approaching the beach. We don't really go to the beach as much now and that's why the ending of the project - it’s just the beach by itself without any noise for a couple seconds. But that’s outside of the actual story, that’s just the inspiration behind the project. I just wanted to make something inspired by that time.

Was It Intentional for Some Song Titles to be in Lowercase?
I did this to bring more attention to NORI and XENO because those are tracks named after actual people in the story.

Who Did Your Visuals?
Theo Thomas has been the man behind the scenes.

What Do You Want to Say to Your Fans?
I want to say thanks even though when you say, ‘fans,’ it feels weird. The feedback has really been overwhelming and I am feeling the love wholeheartedly. Seeing that everyone has been sharing love for the project shows me that hard work pays off.

Tell Us About Team TYC
I feel that for the TYC team – it’s the happiest era of our lives in creating NORI and putting ourselves out there. Sometimes we would get together just to watch movies, play games, or crack jokes, and eventually, all of this interaction led to success. This team knew that they were talented but this is a bigger step to putting ourselves out there.

What's Your Favorite Track on NORI?
My favorite track is …i’m really not. I believe that …i’m really not is the perfect song to capture the whole album. It briefly goes through every single situation, every feeling, It basically gives you a top-to-bottom summary of the entire project in addition to a year-after perspective. It just lets you know how he’s feeling and the fact that he hasn't processed all of the emotions that he felt with NORI - the fact that it’s kind of surreal that she's actually gone. He’s on his own now and he's not the same. His friends are worried about him. He's clearly being distant as you can hear from the skits from the friends in the earlier half of the track. It's just perfect from top to bottom and captures the whole project emotionally – my favorite song.

Where is lido's kitchen?
lido's is not a real place, sadly, it is not a real place. Everybody wants it to be a real place. I want it to be a real place too. I picture it on the roadside by the beach because that's where it is actually located in a story, not too far down the road from the beach.

What's Next for NORI?
I plan to do an event called lido's kitchen later in 2024. More details to come soon.

What's Next for Stefan?
I may let this album breathe for a while. I'm not in a rush to drop another album but I will be sharing more music later in the year. I have a lot of work tucked away. I may focus on a few more EPs. I want to build the brand and get more music out there.

Would You Want to Perform for the 2025 Virgin Islands Festival?
I would love to perform but I would want a live set for the desired effect I have in mind. I want to give a powerful performance and give the people a good show.

Shout Out
Thank you to my parents, wider family, and friends for standing with me. Special shout out to TYC for their ongoing support. Thank you to Kyra of Kickin It for helping me to put myself out there!

Parting Words
The project was not aimed to be trap (music) or like Tola Boy Radio. Supporters can look forward to some visualizers that were completed and one more defining music video of the whole project. The feedback has been great and I am happy with it being the first ever project. I gave it 100% and when I make new music - I want that I have no regrets about it in the future. Keep looking out for what is coming from me. I feel it’s worth waiting for.

The Music

The tracks on NORI are:

1. you good?: This conversation begins the album with Stefan’s friends asking him, “you good?” They seem concerned, although jokingly at times, about his wellbeing after a break-up. However, Stefan insists, "I good."
2. i’m okay …: featuring Donwikk: In response to Track 1, Stefan sings in the hook: “You don’t have to ask me if I’m fine/ I’m okay … I been doing better, honestly there ain’t a day.” The instrumental, which has a classical feel in the first minute and 30 seconds, transitions with some blended pop infusion. It ends with a skit that introduces Track 3.
3. NORI featuring Kendake: Track 3 introduces the protagonist. After mutually breaking up with his girlfriend, Stefan found a new love interest, NORI. It seems to be a casual encounter where Stefan introduces himself to her. The song breaks with a skit before Kendake adds her lyrical diversity. She chants, “long as your efforts ain’t juvenile, be honest, don’t be delusional.”
4. nori’s theme: Track 4 gives us another insight through the conversation between Stefan and his friends about NORI. They chided him about pretending to be “okay,” but still encouraged him to invite her to the meeting spot. They even joke about him not being himself at the meet-up – not freestyling. They even talk about NORI’s old love interest, which we will meet in the upcoming tracks.
5. lido’s kitchen featuring Jougo, TYC, Durnel Sanderson and Stello: This track has an all-star cast. It opens with an ad for “lido’s kitchen” by a dominating voice in the Virgin Islands, Jougo. The mood changes because the song is about “falling in love.” It's a more reggae vibe that you can sing along and dance to. We tend to look at restaurants as places for bringing people together and the song gives us the exact vibe - togetherness. The chorus repeats, "all I wanna do is fall in love with you."
6. don’t rush featuring Alyssah: Track 5 has me wanting to hear more from Alyssah! This sexy track gives me a smooth R&B feel, reminiscent of the songs that we still sing today from the 90s and 2000s. At the 2-minute mark, the song transitions into a different instrumental and mood. Stefan has been trying to call NORI and she has not responded.
7. been callin’: The energy change continued from Track 6 to this track This was the first song I heard from the album and may be my favorite. NORI seems to be having doubts about the relationship and her friends are intercepting Stefan’s calls. Stefan expresses doubts and reminisces on the earlier conversations with his friends who had encouraged him to slow down. NORI's friends lecture her about the way she has been treating Stefan.
8. been dodgin’: In Track 8, NORI admits she’s been dodging Stefan. In the skit in between, NORI's friends encourage her to reach out to Stefan. However, Stefan responded by repeating, “I’ve been calling, you been dodgin'.” The song ends with NORI asking, “Will you wait for me?”
9. waiting…: In response to Track 8, Stefan sings, “I don’t want to wait for ya” in the refrain. I love the old-school R&B feel of this song, the deep feelings that are expressed, and the vocal ranges.
10. i love you featuring mic.ah & Durnel Sanderson: This track gives a more acoustic vibe at the start but transitions to a hip hop/pop flow with a telltale story backtracking on what Stefan sang in Track 9, "This don't make no sense, I ain't tryna fall in love, this **** makes no sense."
11. XENO featuring Hancho Flippaz and Jefe Tunez: I would call this the angry song on the album with its ominous start of the instrutmental. It includes some serious banter between NORI's ex, XENO performed by Hancho Flippaz, BVI's 2021 Qua-Rap-Tine Battle winner, Stefan, and an instigator, Jefe Tunez. XENO starts his lyrics as if speaking to NORI about the early days of their relationship and throwing shots at Stefan. The instigator also pops in, and then XENO chants, "How you run tell your friends I toxic/ I ain't perfect this *** does take practice." Stefan chimes in, "Yeah that's my baby so we making plans/ help me out I don't really understand/ how she moved on and you still a fan, damn." The instigator adds, "And all ayo at the bottom of the barrel/ broke ***** thought that Chanel was a channel/ and your friends thirstier than a camel/ make one wrong move and I done this whole jam." Stefan retorts, "I know you intoxicated/ and you partly faded but meh boy/ you ain't got no pride/ keep my girl name out yuh mouth." The song ends with a taunt to shoot and we hear voices and a gunshot.
12. lido’s kitchen pt. 2: This track starts with a touching voiceover of what appears to be NORI getting shot and the excitement, fear, suspense, and pain of everyone in the scene.
13. …i’m really not: This pop style track brings a different mood to the album, It’s a bit more pop-py and the ad-libs mention a ‘funeral.” A voice calls out during this track, “I tell you you wasn’t ready for love….” The track runs for almost eight minutes with elements that bring the story to an exciting close.

Feedback from Friends and Other Creatives
Papi Woodyard, poet and host extraordinaire of Papi’s Poetry Corner, commented on the YouTube videos:

• on I’m okay: “Love this vibe ...❣️❣️❣️”
• on NORI – “Beautiful song ... sent to my wife.”

Akin Chinnery, musician and poet from USVI, said:
“It's at the 3:13 segue skit for NORI that I really catch the vibe and genius of this brother.🥰🙏🏿❣️ It's spiritual, yet sensual, totally celestial.🔥❣️ I love it😍🙌🏿❣️. He has a professional vision about his artistry that supersedes his age😃☝🏿❣️. I'm a fan officially from here on😁🙏🏿❣️. And I love the way he segue his skits🔥☝🏿.. Not even the adult emcees do that anymore for the most part🤷🏿‍♂️.”

William Douglas, a writer from Toronto said:
Stefan's album NORI is a melodic journey with vibes reminiscent of Drake, featuring good rhyme schemes and engaging conversational interactions. The track been dodgin' had me bouncing around, while waiting... stands out with its relatable lyrics, excellent flow, and a great chorus. I loved how the album wrapped up with the soothing sound of waves, adding a perfect ending touch.

Dr. Dierdra Wheatley, my friend and HR colleague (I have mentioned her several times in this blog), said:
I like the artist's voice - it's smooth and kinda buttery. I like the story telling aspect of the album because it carried me through a journey that a lot of us can relate to in one way or the other. I like those aspects. I liked the beats as well - they were 'feelable.'

Khadija Walters, HR colleague, creative and owner of Khad's World, shared:
I felt like I was listening to his story. The album was well put together, every song flowed one after the other in chronological harmony. I also loved that the music felt timeless; nowadays we're so bombarded with modern twists on music but this album brought such a nostalgic vibe, taking you back in the day. The album is truly a work of art and I expect it will hit the global market.

Anthony of 3AL Productions said his favorite songs are lido's kitchen, been dodgin and XENO.

Anjanique from AMC Edits said she loves all the songs, but her favorites are i love you, waiting..., NORI and XENO.

If you have not listened to this album yet, please check Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Stefan is superbly talented and I do look forward to hearing more amazing music from him in the future. I quote from Stefan's hit song, GOING PRO featuring Jefe Tunez:

"Cold world that we living in

Sometimes I even consider giving in

I know that I'm better than

everybody they bringing in for shows

but you know how it goes when you're chosen

I know I've been on your radar

People be faking, they ain't really who they say they are

Don't think I'd make it far

The thing is I know

soon they going to recognize me wherever I go

How he so cold with it?

And he so different maybe cuz he put his soul in it

He dropping hits after hits, going pro

He on a roll"

 

I am confident that Stefan will be recognized for his talents!