Majah Bless guiding SuperTwinz through arts
Ngozi hopes to be first female governor-general; Tafari, a pilot
Published:Sunday | December 19, 2021 | 12:15 AMStephanie Lyew - Sunday Gleaner Writer
Omaall ‘Majah Bless’ Wright is a wearer of many hats, but he will tell you that he is a father first. He has been blessed with twins Ngozi and Tafari, who have followed in his footsteps up a creative path.
“It started with my daughter Ngozi, who, when her grandmother would always read a prayer to her and when she repeated the words, it sounded like poetry. It was then her mother suggested that I write a poem for her,” he told The Sunday Gleaner. “At only two years old, she would perform her first poem titled Hey Big Man. She had a natural interest in the performing arts, and Tafari, having seen her on stage, was inspired to perform.”
A touring dub poet and theatre arts teacher, Majah Bless says that as a child pursuing the performance arts, he would often “trod the journey alone”, and it is not something he wishes on any of Jamaica’s young, upcoming talents. He also shared that there is a great need for guidance for Jamaica’s children, and by using speech, drama, and music, he has been able to connect with the younger generation over the years.
He explained that the past two years were challenging as most children are better engaged in a face-to-face setting. “In the beginning, it was difficult teaching theatre arts where it is about interacting. It was more about finding new and innovative ways to carry on the craft [and not have it] became another task because even though it is education, we have to make it entertaining.”
Majah Bless also shared that superstardom does not have to do with only creating hit songs but how an entertainer relates to the listeners, many of whom, at the end of the day, are his students.
“I don’t consider myself or my children as part of any industry. I do what I do because it brings me great joy and the same for them. So each time an opportunity to perform presents itself, I ask my children if they want to do it. I believe this should be something that is fun, using one’s God-given talent to spread valuable messages. If it feels like work, we don’t do it,” Majah Bless offered about his approach to his children’s careers as dub poets.
“If the arts become something they don’t want to do, I won’t force them to. Whatever they want to do, I will support it. Ngozi says she wants to be the first female governor-general. Tafari wants to become a pilot.”
In November 2019, at the age of seven, they made history being among the first set of children to speak in Parliament, sharing their views on crime and violence and its impact on their generation. Earlier that year, they had released their song Take Care A Yuh Children, and five months ago, Ngozi and Tafari followed it with Mek Dem Grow, which Majah Bless helped them write.
“The lyrics of both songs speak to what we see happening with our children. I believe it resonates with people because it is so real. There are many persons who neglect their children’s well-being to satisfy their needs, and I hear about it too often from my students,” he said.
“These were written over a year ago, and they wanted to get their message out to the people, and I thought it fitting for them to address these issues and perform it since persons listen to them. We are losing the way we spread messages, and this is why it was important for me to evoke this consciousness in the productions and help my children voice their opinions at the same time,” Majah Bless continued.