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EVERARD ROMANY sits with his Swedish wife ANNA at
the Guardian’s office last week. Romany, a founding father of
the rapso movement, says he has further evolved the art form
into what he calls “rapsoul” and has returned to T&T to
promote a message of peace and love through his music.
Photo:
Karla Ramoo
BY MICHAEL MONDEZIE
Everard Romany is a man on a mission. Romany, a
founding member of the popular Laventille-based Network Riddum
Rapso Band, has returned to local shores, after spending the
last decade abroad, to spread his message of peace and
love.
For Romany it’s an old message under a new banner and,
together with his Swedish wife, Anna, he thinks he has found
the right musical formula to transmit those thoughts.
He calls it rapsoul.
“Rapsoul is really the soul of rapso. It’s a new
vision with an old soul to remind people about who they are,”
a smiling Romany said, with his wife seated at his
side.
“It’s really rapso music with added melody, creating a
refined sound. I call it evolution of music,” he said.
The music he helped create on the streets of
Laventille in the 1970s and its co-creator Lutalo Massimba
(Brother Resistance) have both become household names in
T&T.
He remembers a very different time, however, when
rapso music and its practitioners were not as readily
accepted.
“People used to say we talking and we not singing and
we were often ridiculed, but that never stopped us. To tell
you I knew rapso would have been popular one day would be to
lie, but it is a good feeling to see it’s getting the
recognition it deserves,” he said.
Wisely, Romany has chosen to marry his two loves and
has included his wife, Anna, who is the other side of the
rapsoul duo, in his music project.
Fittingly enough, the two met at a dance in Sweden
some years ago and not surprisingly hit it off
immediately.
“We both love music and we love each other, so yeah we
get on pretty well,” Anna said, exchanging glances with her
husband.
Together they bring two tracks to the table, Aum
Shanti and Wanna Be, both produced in Sweden.
Aum Shanti is a prayerful reflection while Wanna Be
refers to a society where everyone wants to be someone
else.
In a time when crime has overridden the once-quiet
East Dry River area where he grew up, Romany firmly believes
his voice will be heard.
“The pen is mightier than the sword and they can’t
stop the power of the word,” Romany said. | 