Culturama 2019 – USA

This year I decided to do Culturama again, and I was torn between auditioning for USA and Trinidad & Tobago. I decided on auditioning for USA because I felt it would push me out of my comfort zone, with this year’s dance heavily based on broadway and swing. I don’t really have a dance background – my cousin taught me at home, so apart from hip-hop dance, I’m not exactly the most elegant. However, I decided to put myself in an uncomfortable situation as I felt it would challenge my mindset and interpersonal skills.

 

I was then given the chance to show my hip-hop talents as well which I felt was almost a reward for trying so hard with broadway. I was asked to write a rap regarding US culture over the Where They From (WTF) – Missy Elliot beat. It was a bit difficult at first because I’m not American and I didn’t want it to be too stereotypical but rather to try and encapsulate the diversity and influence of American culture on the world today.

 

I touched down in the United States

See New York, my Empire State

I had a dream, that my entire race

Would be soon equal, no time to waste

Land of the free

Home of the braves

9/11 still couldn’t kill our faith

Cause East to the west, there’s no better place

Rep New York city gotta Harlem shake

Cause it’s the place where you can be what you wanna be

The dawn’s early light, oh say can you see

American idol or the American dream

The whole world cold when America sneeze

Jookin, jerkin, never cause beef

Charleston step, better step to the beat

Show California love, cause the beach where it at

Teach me how to dougie, then I teach em how to dab

Tasha, Quinn, show em how we do things

Broadway all day, the jive, the swing, I’m king

Bersama – Wavelengths

 

Please wake me when I am free

For I cannot bear this captivity

But my inner eye can see

A race

Who reigned as kings in another place

The green of trees were rich and full

Men and women together as equals

But please wake me when I am free

I cannot bear captivity

For I would rather be stricken blind

Than to live without the expression of my mind

At times, I often wonder

Could I ever see my neighbour as my Brother

Love tore us apart; love for the self and love for our kin

My teacher told me was slaves, my mama told me was kings

During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people.

Our nationalities divide us

Yet we created borders and gave them names

We created nations, and yet we allow them to control us

In this respect, we are all slaves

I have fought against white domination

And I have fought against black domination

But for all my troubles, I have witnessed no change happen

Every journey starts with a step, and Nelson said, it’s a long walk to freedom

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony

To be free

It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve.

But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

You see, Martin tried, 2Pac died, Nina cried

And Bersama roared

Power

U19A Football [Grade 12]

This football season was incredible. We didn’t win anything; we finished fourth in both ACSIS and SEASAC. I didn’t make SEASAC, which was my goal for this season, either. But what made this season memorable was what we accomplished on an interpersonal level. The love, respect and chemistry we all had with each other helped us make memories every single game. I also managed to achieve some minor goals as well: I scored my first goal this season, and the next game I scored my second – obviously, I screamed. I also wore the captain’s armband for a game, which was another special moment for myself. Lastly, for Friday Night Lights, I rapped to introduce the team:

 

Friday Night Lights, the time is here

The Dragon’s den, may they be filled with fear

When they step on the pitch and meet Rich

Or see Kev, or get hit by Aansh with the last-ditch tackles

Get gassed, the King is Jasp

Love O’s, Varun run the show

Dima is the captain and you never really know

With Cesc at right-back but his gadgets go go in the presence of greatness

Ian and Jake so dangerous

Batra is the wall can’t get past it, Banta L2 with the right stick

So it’s Keiron and Quinn for the win

Josh is the heart, I’m the cog in the machine

Hopkins, Mr Top Binz, it’s Ash

Dinsdale, wind our sails, it’s Gav

East go hard, don’t step in our yard

Bersama – (MUN, UWC Day)

Bersama this semester has been very busy. We performed at UWC day and at the MUN conference  In both performances, I was able to perform solo pieces that differed in topic, style and delivery.

 

The performance at UWC day was a celebratory piece of the school and what we try to embody in the UWC movement. For the performance, we sang the UWC school song, written by Hannah Jones and Molly Stirrat. They asked me to write a short rap that would become part of the song. I was ecstatic when they asked me but I was also nervous because this is something that would probably last a while. The knowledge that the song would probably be performed after I had left the school was the hardest part; the challenge was to write something that would remain true for years to come as well as something that could be understood and appreciated by all, not just high school students. I came up with this:

It’s my squad, it’s my team it’s my crew

And when we stick together ain’t nothing we can’t do

Cause on my own I’m alone, but I still feel at home

When I walk through these halls, I feel in my zone

In this United – World – College,

Opening my mind through the learning of this knowledge

As I open up my heart and I open up my eyes

I see a sustainable future, a force to unite

Save the turtles

 

Then we performed at the MUN conference. This one was special because I also performed an original piece, a song that I call “We Are Free”. The song is about peer pressure, and being free from it which I think is a timely message in today’s trend-driven age. Below are the lyrics for the song:

 

Here we are today

And we’ve found a way

Cause we’ve escaped

From this place of pain

We’re no longer slaves

We don’t have to change

In this present day

We can now say…

We are free, we are free

There’s no stopping us

(We are free, we are free)

We don’t have to follow

(We are free, we are free)

We are not held by sorrow

(We are free, we are free)

We have a better tomorrow

(We are free, we are free)

We can now say

(We are free, we are free)

I tell the truth and I make the devil shame

Nowadays I leave enemies in my wake

Cause I’m no longer afraid

And I’m no longer a slave

To other people

No longer needing their approval

I’m finally free, and fresh out of jail

Locked up for putting my person up for sale

But I’ve never known freedom

Killing my self I’ve been charged with treason

I put the king in kingdom

I didn’t need a reason

To stop me being a victim

Only God could judge me, so I’m full of all his wisdom

But hierarchy is arbitrary , always been a visionary

My way or the highway, now i move when I say

Word to Uzi, I do what I want

Now I’ve got the backing so no need for me to front

I’m being blunt

Alpha, riding on my own terms

I went to the mountains, and here’s what I learnt

Here we are today

And we’ve found a way

Cause we’ve escaped

From this place of pain

We’re no longer slaves

We don’t have to change

Today

We will now say…

 

We are free, we are free

There’s no stopping us

(We are free, we are free)

We don’t have to follow

(We are free, we are free)

We are not held by sorrow

(We are free, we are free)

We have a better tomorrow

(We are free, we are free)

We can now say

(We are free, we are free)

 

Wave your hands if you know that you’re free

Always be yourself, not the one you pretend to be

I’m breaking new grounds, but they told me I was wrong

I longed to be myself, so I never could belong

And I’m out

You know what I’m about

Finally free, so I scream and I shout

But it’s my power of will, I finally feel

That we are free, just hope I’m bringing you along with me

 

We don’t have to follow

(We are free, we are free)

We are not held by sorrow

(We are free, we are free)

We have a better tomorrow

(We are free, we are free)

We can now say

(We are free, we are free)

We are free, we are free, yeah

[I’m breaking new grounds, but they told me I was wrong]

He is free, she is free, yeah

[I longed to be myself, so I never could belong]

They are free, I am free, yeah

[We are free, we are free, we are free, we are free]

We are free.

Extended Essay (Viva Voce) – RC3

Considering that I was doing a Music and English EE, I think the biggest challenge was finding analysis and being able to justify why that academic/expert opinion is valid. Since the response to music and language are subjective to the audience, it would be very easy to say that everyone has an expert opinion on the effect of the songs. However, throughout my EE writing process, I had to go back to the principles of the subjects, breaking down the techniques used, focusing on how and why, rather than what. I think the biggest lesson that I took away was making sure that you are always reminding your reader of the bigger picture, how your sub-point relates to your main point, and how that answers your research question. If I was to change my methodology, I would probably have tried to conduct primary research by interviewing people on their opinions of the songs, however, this might have affected my response, as we have a different cultural landscape than the United States, meaning that the songs might not resonate with an audience here. This journey helped me fall in love again with the process rather than just the end product.

Unplugged 2018

Coming into this performance, I had all sorts of ideas in terms of what I wanted to do. I had originally decided to do Rise and Shine by J. Cole but before I went to audition I was told that all performances had to be played live; basically I couldn’t play an instrumental track and rap over it – like I was used to do doing. Realising that but trying to remain calm, I auditioned with the only piece that I knew well enough to perform with ease – Make the Money by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, which I rapped and played the piano to. The audition went well and I was accepted into the show, however, both I and the directors of the show agreed that I should probably choose a more upbeat piece. I spent a bit of time thinking about it and eventually chose Unforgettable by French Montana. I really liked the song and thought it summed up my first few months in the school. I took the song with me on holiday and listened to it on repeat. I started to write my own lyrics to it, which I had made a practice of to keep myself lyrically and musically engaged. However, for some reason, despite my excitement to perform it, I just didn’t feel as though it was the right song to perform. After going back and forth mentally with this dispute, I eventually changed my song to Unstoppable by The Score. Ms Stirrat told me she wanted me to close the show, and I felt that the energy in this song would be a nice touch, and contrast to the more melodic, slow songs that would be performed prior. I was excited that I ended up with my own band behind me: I had my friends Vir on the electric guitar and backup vocals, Nick on the Bass Guitar, Adil on the drums, and Alastair aka Stairly on the keys.

 

My lyrics were:

Unstoppable, born 2 ball

You can’t tell me otherwise

Cause I’m facts only, and you only lies

Turned to the left, can’t nobody stand against

So I switched to the right, I see no enemies in sight

Cause I’m Kobe in the fourth, I be Yoda with the force

I’m Kareem with the hook leaving everybody shook

Man, I’m sitting at the top looking down ain’t nobody on my floor

Through it all, He’s my source cause

Climbin up the ladder

Even when my body shattered

But my eyes’ on the throne

And He’s the only thing that matters

So I’m 50 and O

Mayweather flow

I’m strong on my own but we’re stronger when together tho

Can’t nobody tell me what I can’t do no more

Can’t no key limit my access to the top floor

Cause I’m Breakin all the boundaries

People still doubting me

Greatest undoubtedly

Stopping me clownery

They said it wasn’t possible now we unstoppable

 

 

All in all, I think it was an okay performance. I’ve realised that sometimes I start to shout which is a bit annoying in hindsight but I can’t help in the heat of the moment – sometimes I try too hard to energise the crowd but like it was fun, I guess 🙂 It was honestly a pleasure to perform with these guys and being my first official music performance in the school, I can’t wait to show what else I can do.

Interim Reflection (RC2)

My second meeting with my supervisor was very effective. I had finished my essay but it seemed as though it wasn’t up to standard. However, I feel like this was probably the best outcome as my supervisor was able to really explain the requirements of the EE using my written work to show me where I was missing marks. I feel encouraged rather than disheartened because I feel like I know what’s expected now, in terms of how to achieve marks and hit specific criteria in the Extended Essay. In terms of moving forward, I’ve already started to make corrections in my essay, making sure that I have academic sources and opinions in my work, rather than just write from my head. I’ve also learnt the importance of not wasting words; although it’s important to go in-depth, I also have to remember the word limit, getting my ideas across in as little words as possible.

Final PSE Reflection

Throughout the last year, there have been many challenges and new experiences that I have endured. I was a new student at the start of the year, and had to go through the whole process of making friends all over again. Perhaps, I made friends quicker than most, but it was difficult to get accustomed to the nature and the layout of the school. I think another challenge was adjusting to my IB schedule whilst trying to remain positive and not let my schoolwork overload and impact other areas of my life. The biggest thing I’m looking forward to in Grade 12, is sort of the ability to be able to reflect on the journey of my education and its finality and completion.

Project Week Reflection (LO3 & LO7)

Project Week, for me, was a very fun, cohesive and interesting experience for me. I tried a lot of different and new activities, some I enjoyed, most I didn’t. But I think what made it cohesive and interesting was that I realised the kind of person I want to become in life. I got to meet people on this trip that there was nothing I could do except admire their positivity and outlook on life. A lot of these people are nowhere near the kind of privilege, that we enjoy everyday and constantly take for granted. Yet the way, they have smiles on their faces; the way they just get on with life and take it day by day was what really touched me. I think these kind of trips, when you get to do service, help you remember that not everyone is like you in the way that they live, however, I think Project Week, just its uniqueness, helps you also remember that life is what you make it. Sometimes people think they have to make a difference in these big environments, or where it can be recognised officially. But the man that let us help him build the dining hall, proved to me that making a difference is simply trying to make the life of those around you, better. Service doesn’t have to be explicit; you can say hi to your quiet classmate everyday, or you can tell your teacher everyday, “I appreciate you”. All of this can help to make the lives of those around you better. I think this has given me more direction on what and how I will want to live my life in the years to come.

Posted in CAS

Group 4 – Day 2 Reflection

Today we completed our Breakout Box, and I have to say, it turned out very well. Our box was complex but also understandable and followed a logical process. We also ensured that there was an educational aspect to our box, in which the people playing it would also learn from it. The challenge was then to try and unlock other boxes. This was a challenge as we first had to try and understand what the Sustainable Development Goal was before we could see how it was connected to the unlocking of the box. This process was annoying yet fun at the same time. It kind of showed me how being stuck in your own thinking or being narrow minded can prevent you from perhaps discovering new things. I think being open-minded was the key to unlocking the box, and having the mentality that anything can be a clue to success. It’s almost a metaphor for life really, you can find hidden treasures everywhere.

Posted in CAS