Rhythms, and Rhymes for Wise Young Minds

WI: Describe the djembe drum and why you chose to use it when you perform.
Jali-D: The djembe drum is from West Africa. It’s played in Mali, Senegal, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast. It has a very powerful sound when I play it during my performances, and it commands the audience’s attention. West Africa is where most African Americans came from, and playing the djembe gives me a sense of carrying on the traditions of our ancestors.

WI:  What is the special performance you do for schools?
Jali-D: It’s called “Rhythms and Rhymes for Wise Young Minds,” in which I incorporate rapping and educational topics. I have rhymes about mathematics, literature, science, mental toughness, and making the right decisions. These performances are for elementary and middle schools. As part of the Maryland Young Audiences Program, I have performed at over 200 schools throughout the state of Maryland. This year I will be part of the Virginia Young Audiences Program and will do the same in that state. I have also performed in some D.C. schools.

WI: How do teachers and other educators respond to your performances?
Jali-D:  They love it. They see how the children connect with me and, mainly, the drum. The drum really taps into something in people, no matter what race, gender or age; and the kids love rap. The kids think I’m cool, and when I start rapping about math and science, history and literacy, the teachers and administrators just love it! They tell me that my program is one of the best programs they have ever had!

WI: Why do you think “Rappercussions” and your “Rhythms and Rhymes for Wise Young Minds” is an effective way to reach students?
Jali-D:  Words are very powerful, and I feel the most effective way to connect with kids, or anybody, is through rhymes. I remember when I started listening to rap, the messages I got were always positive, so when I started writing rhymes I would always focus on the positive. Percussions are universal, and can reach everybody. I would have been a percussionist anyway, even if I didn’t rap. Playing my drum and rapping or doing “Rappercussions” has allowed me to stay “fresh” in my performances, and by staying fresh I have been able to reach people. There has always been something inside of me that wanted to be able to reach people. The kids love it. If they take the message to heart and it gets inside of them, it shows them they can be cool and still do well academically.

WI: How can the African American community support what you are doing?
Jali-D: Pretty much all of what I do is geared towards the African American community, although my performances cross racial borders. Parents can support this effort by bringing their children to see performances like mine, and they can support education and educational type performances. Parents can also show support by buying our products. I plan to release a CD this year. I say if parents can buy CD’s by the latest rappers, why not support a local artist who is bringing a positive, academic achieving message to their kids?

WI: What’s your view on education in the African American community?
Jali-D: School is about to start and everybody is talking about the bad conditions of our schools. Yes, the schools need work, and yes, we need good teachers, but until we WANT to learn, there is nothing anyone can do or give us to make that happen. We place too much power in the schools. If we wanted to learn, we would learn whether in a school or not. It is up to the individual in the community to make learning important. We don’t value learning and academic achievement of the mind like we do other things. Clearly, as a people we will excel at what we give our attention to. When we give our attention to learning and academic achievement, then and only then can we solve our education problems.

  
For more information e-mail Jali-D at Rappercussions@hotmail.com.

By Larry Saxton
WI Contributing Writer

David Foreman, a.k.a. Jali-D, is a native of Boston, Mass., and a graduate of Howard University. He is a poet, rapper, percussionist, guitarist, and member of the band PS24. He performs with the Young Audiences of Maryland and the Young Audiences of Virginia. Jali-D talked with the Washington Informer about his art form.

WI: What does your name, Jali-D, mean?
Jali-D: Jali is a West African word meaning storyteller or griot. A lot of people are more familiar with griot, a French word that describes the Jali, who is the keeper of the tradition, the keeper of the oral history. For artistic purposes, I chose the name Jali-D.

WI: Tell us about your art form “Rappercussions.”
Jali-D: “Rappercussions” is an art form that combines intelligent and educational rap with African style drumming. I coined the term “Rappercussions” to distinguish myself from other rappers. I play percussion instruments, mainly the djembe, (a West African drum) while I rhyme.