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Etching our Consciousness With Music: DJ Gus Pays Independence Tribute to our Artists and Musicians

Reading Time 1 mins  February 2015 As a testimony to the patriotic pride of Grenada’s songwriters, entertainers and performers, Grenada is certainly a leader among the Caribbean Islands when it comes to anthemic odes. Lord Cassimere Pitt’s “Grenada May God Bless You” is most certainly an inspirational piece that has kept the contributions coming at a steady pace. I can’t imagine what an independence celebration would be like without it. Classics anthems from Rhythm Riders, Levy John, Original Inspector, Black Wizard, Ajamu, Val Adams, Randy Isaacs, Inspector, Carriacou’s Country Boys, just to name a few, give true meaning to our… Read More »Etching our Consciousness With Music: DJ Gus Pays Independence Tribute to our Artists and Musicians

The Literary Elements of Carriacou Carnival

Reading Time 4 minsBig Drum Nation interviews Nicholas Cox February 2015 Big Drum Nation (BDN): This year the Carriacouan Carnival comes under this scintillating theme, “Celebrating the Legacy of Shakespeare: Embracing the Splendor of our Traditional Mas”, what is the Shakespeare Mas? Nick Cox (NC): As I know it Shakespeare Mas stems from the use of speeches adapted from the writings of William Shakespeare in a duel of words between masqueraders. The theme appears to be battling European armies who attempt to outwit each other using speeches from Shakespeare’s plays, most commonly “Julius Caesar.” The costumes are colorful and mask the entire… Read More »The Literary Elements of Carriacou Carnival

King Man Ajamu Cyber-side Chats with Big Drum Nation

Reading Time 2 minsFebruary, 2015 AJAMU is one of Grenada’s most accomplished musicians. He holds the unprecedented national honor of seven-time Calypso Monarch, winning in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, and 2004. A certified sound engineer, AJAMU plays guitar, keyboards, and drums. He has written, arranged, and produced songs for a number of top Grenadian calypsonians.  In 1997 he was crowned “Male Vocalist of the Year” at New York’s “Sunshine Awards”.  Evidence of AJAMU’s recognition by the international music community is his regular entry in Billboard Magazine’s “Bible of the Music Industry”. At ease in both the soca and… Read More »King Man Ajamu Cyber-side Chats with Big Drum Nation

Eric Gairy: Working Class Hero

Reading Time 4 minsEric Gairy: Working Class Hero Caldwell Taylor   “On 19th February, widespread strikes began, and there have been many acts of intimation and sabotage .An emergency order was made and two of the leaders of the strike [Eric Gairy and Gascoigne Blaize-ct] were detained” -The Secretary of the State for the Colonies, James Griffiths, responding to Mr. Eden. Grenada Riots, HC Deb 26 February 1951 vo. l 484 cc 1748-50   Grenada’s first general strike tolled on the early morning of February 19, 1951 and ran for four tempestuous weeks. The so-called “Sky Red” days transformed long-suffering… Read More »Eric Gairy: Working Class Hero

Comments: Senator the Honorable Brenda Hood

Reading Time 3 mins  Our theme of this BDN issue is “Moving Forward in Unity to Build a Stronger Nation.” We  are compiling the contributions of writers, artists, poets, photographers, our leaders, and everyone with a voice and view to share on Grenada’s 41st anniversary of independence.   Senator the Honourable Brenda Hood Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture     QUESTION: What is the culture ministry’s definition of culture? The definition of culture has been clearly outlined in the Grenada National Cultural Policy and I believe it gives us a better understanding of our vision for the work being done… Read More »Comments: Senator the Honorable Brenda Hood

Comments: Honourable Derrick James

Reading Time 3 mins As you are fully aware, Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique will be celebrating its 41st anniversary of political independence from Britain on February 7, 2015. Birthdays are times to reflect on life lived, paths traveled, and upcoming opportunities to take advantage of. As it is for the individual, the same is true for a nation. Big Drum Nation (BDN) is joining the festivities as we celebrate our nation’s accomplishments, appreciate our shared ideals, and assess our potential. We are seeking the contributions of writers, artists, poets, photographers, our leaders, and everyone with a voice and view… Read More »Comments: Honourable Derrick James

2015 Independence Address to the nation by Prime Minister of Grenada Dr the Right Hon. Keith Mitchell

Reading Time 9 minsFellow citizens,   Today, on this 41st anniversary, we recommit ourselves to deepening our independence so as to give purpose to the next generation.    Today, let us as a people march forward into the future — ready to take on the next 41.   Our biggest asset in going forward will be the unity of our people.   Let it be clear, when we speak of unity, and as we continue to sound the clarion call, we are not asking for others to join our political party.   Everyone has the right to their own political affiliation,… Read More »2015 Independence Address to the nation by Prime Minister of Grenada Dr the Right Hon. Keith Mitchell

The NDC’s 2015 Independence Address

Reading Time 2 mins Tyrell House, H.A. Blaize Street, St. George’s, Grenada. Phone: 473 409 1621 E-Mail: ndclive@gmail.com Sunday, 08 February 2015 St. George’s, Grenada PRESS RELEASE STATEMENT BY POLITICAL LEADER OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, SENATOR V. NAZIM BURKE, ON THE OCCASION OF GRENADA’S 41st ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE. Fellow Grenadians: On behalf of the National Democratic Congress, I wish to extend to you heartiest congratulations on this the 41st anniversary of our independence. The raising of the Grenadian flag on Fort George at Midnight on February 6th gave us the power to manage our own affairs, including the resources… Read More »The NDC’s 2015 Independence Address

Grenada’s Independence

Reading Time 1 minsOur flag flew high and voices sang To greet our Independence Day. Long road from Kalinago’s Camerhogne Before the French held total sway. Today our faces beam with pride And hands held in patriotic grip The road to self-determined height Our heroes kept in their sight. A dream they had of a future bright When autonomy will mark the day And Grenadians would assume the reigns European Countries previously claimed. Seventh of February Nineteen Seventy-four A new nation then was born Documented in the history books So our children now can look. They can read about William… Read More »Grenada’s Independence