ENTERTAINMENT
Phylicia Rashad poses for a photo on the red carpet at the grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios on Saturday,
Oct. 5, 2019, in Atlanta. Elijah Nouvelage/Invision/AP/File
Caribbean Life, February 11-17, 2022 23
By Vinette K. Pryce
In 2008, Barack Obama campaigned
on a promise of change.
Along with Joe Biden their “Yes We
Can” mantra endeared a majority of
voters to join the quest for seeking
change.
Simultaneously, that year, inside
a break room at a Detroit auto plant,
essential workers subscribed to the
promise. So much so they stamped
endorsement of the very first Black
president of United States. Although
life was burdensome for new and
veteran workers there, they somehow
felt confident that supporting
the Obama/Biden ticket might bring
change.
Such is the subtle association in
the play “Skeleton Crew” currently
playing at the Samuel J. Friedman
Theater on Broadway.
The unspoken relevance is prominently
displayed on a sticker affixed
to the side of a refrigerator propped
for chilling foods and beverage stored
by the work crew.
And while politics eludes the narrative,
in fact the first Black president
was elected by a 16.4 percent
majority in the Michigan state that
year.
Playwright Dominique Morrisseau
took note of the historic milestone
crossed during the election; she is a
fly on the wall to explain the joys and
pain of four factory workers destined
for layoff from one of the auto plants
due for closure.
Morrisseau is a native of the midwestern
city, her watchful observ-
Continued on Page 24
Kes frontman Kees Dieffenthaller
appears in the “Jolene” video directed
by Maya Cozier. Jackson Warner
By Nelson A. King
Trinidad and Tobago soca stars KES,
also known as KES THE BAND, invites
viewers to experience a vintage slice of
island life in the video for their latest single,
“Jolene.”
Trinidadian filmmaker Maya Cozier
(“She Paradise”) directed the nostalgic
visuals, which center the song in a small
Caribbean fishing village, circa mid-20th
century.
There, KES frontman Kees Diefenthaller
By Nelson A. King
The native son of Nine Miles, Bull
Bay, Jamaica, Black Am I, has collaborated
with Bebble Rock’s lyrics deity
Kabaka Pyramid for his latest single
“Jah In My Corner.”
The two Ghetto Youths International
camp members join forces on
this fundamental rootsy instrumental,
produced by GRAMMY award winner
Damian “Jr Gong” Marley.
Released on Ghetto Youths International
label “Jah In My Corner” is
now available for streaming on all
platforms.
“Black Am I is known for his smooth
yet strong vocals, which easily distinguishes
him from the sea of musical
Lewis
Continued on Page 24
Continued on Page 24
FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT, GO TO CARIBBEANLIFE.COM/ENTERTAINMENT
Kes shares
‘Jolene’ video
Black Am I
recruits Kabaka
Pyramid
‘SKELETON
CREW’
Broadway play reveals society’s skeletons
/ENTERTAINMENT
