| Shango's rule of the drum |
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| Written by Silence Genti on Friday, 02 May 2008 06:02 |
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If beats were drums, Shango Clarkson would be rubbing elbows with the world’s richest man Warren Buffet. The London street musician says he has clocked 10 billion beats in 34 years of making music on the streets of North America.
You may have seen the dreadlocked man of drums at Dundas and Richmond St, his day spot, at London Knights games or early in the morning (2am) on weekend nights at Queen and Richmond St. His artistic journey began decades ago, when he learnt the drum, an instrument that enchanted him from the very moment he laid eyes on it. That marked the start of a journey that has seen the Detroit-born drummer play in cities such as New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. He played in Toronto for 7 years before moving to London in 2004. Shango who lives and performs in downtown London says the city fathers need a new formula for what he calls the city’s core. “What we have to understand in future development of the core is that what makes a city great is its sons and daughters, all of its people. There has to be a balance of business and culture.” London, he maintains, is a creative city. “There are many creative people in London. London has been the home to world famous writers, directors, actors, and musicians. They’ve won major awards, and received accolades all over the world. Arthur Conan Doyle, I once read spent time in this London writing parts of Sherlock Holmes,” says the musician. He says heis working on a novel inspired by the late British writer – curiously titled Red X: The Adventures of Dreadlock Holmes. Shango is also a fan of Alex Haley of the Roots fame. “There are many writers that have moved me with their words, but Alex Haley I must say, not only for his strength of character, he empowered and educated generations. “ What motivates the 50-year-old singer? “My motivation, me, knowing that as my hands got stronger, that I would develop self-discipline, and this helps me in other areas of my life. Now, my inspiration is life.” 12 years ago, he was playing 10 hours a day. Nowadays, he manages three hours at four London locations. If he has his way, he will die with a drum in his hand, staying true to the beats and soul that drives his art. “Well, the universe willing, (I’ll never retire). I look at my life as a work in progress. I am working feverously to create a masterpiece.” It is as if when a young impressionable Shango made contact with the leathered skin of the drum aeons ago, he was smitten for life. Seeing him set up his ministage at the core of London, one can believe that living by a the rule of the drum is all what he ting up “Every day is a step in the journey. You take the good with the bad and evolve. I love my life.” What else can a man who has made who has billions living by the rule of the drum say. Shango performs with Deryck Murray & the band Son of the Sun at Scots Corner on Sunday evenings. He also plays at the Pandemic regularly. |
