Edge is a spoken word artist and graphic artist.
1. When and how did you first learn about the enslavement of African people (a/k/a slavery, the slave trade)? I was generally always aware of slavery but the 1st time I got a visual picture was in the third year of secondary school. We was watching Roots and that’s the first time I realised the actual ins and outs of what was going on and I was shocked. It urged me to learn a bit more in my own time.
2. How did that knowledge affect you at the time? It kind of gave me a realisation of the world as it is today and how certain countries got where they are today like most of it was not thought heir own hard work but through us. Through my research I have found that they have stolen a lot form us. It left me quite angry actually at the world. And even though it wasn’t whites people who live today’s fault but I still held resentment towards them for a period of time.
3. How does your knowledge and awareness of the history of the enslavement of African people affect you as an artist now? How does it influence your work? I wouldn’t say I’m affected. I think we are living in a different form of slavery and I feel its important to inform the youth of their history and music seems to be the best source of knowledge for the youth, so I feel it’s important to not just rely on history but to give or leave a blueprint on how to evolve and develop
4. How have you personally experienced enslavement as an artist? How have you personally experienced Emancipation as an artist? I can understand how artists of a certain genre could feel trapped into saying certain things for their music to sell but I’ve never pigeon holed my soul into any category, so I’ve given myself the freedom to say anything I like.
5. How can we as artists uplift our people, i.e. people of African heritage? How can we as artists liberate our people? How can we as artists unify our people? We need to start believing in ourselves and loving ourselves through and through. As many forms of self-destruction available for example: skin bleaching products and hair strengtheners, which only erodes our essence. We also need to stop segregating ourselves for example: African and West Indian people should see their selves as one.
I’d make timeless music with a message so when I die, which I feel will happen quite soon, at least I have left behind some form of lyrical hope for the youth. I don’t think I’ll witness change or revolution in my generation, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to plant seeds even if I don’t get to see the tree of freedom blossom. That is the mission I work towards today and every day.
EDGE, with a great respect for Tupac Shakur, is winner of Star Academy 2006 for spoken word and has recorded material for BBC Radio 4. EDGE, also V.O.I.C.Express resident artist, has performed across