Year of 9 – Groundings with the FemiNine Divine

An evening with Jah 9 is never just about a musical performance it is much more potent. Such was the launch of the Year of 9, Jah 9’s introduction to her summer tour that was held at Nanook, this past Wednesday July 20, 2016. Honestly I have been longing to see her perform and I have never seen a full set from her so this was truly a big opportunity which I was glad not to miss. Arriving on this very hot evening ahead of show time, I was greeted by Biko in motion as he played selections from Peter Tosh, Third World and Pentateuch preparing patrons for the evening’s proceedings.
I listened keenly to the choice of music and the theme seemed to be militant and revolutionary. He segued into dub music which was also welcome and analogous with Jah 9, whose musical roots began with listening to dub music and finding expression in the spaces in between. To compliment the scene, shortly before show time, nature also conspired with showers of blessing sealing the deal. As I gave thanks for the liquid sunshine, in my head I repeated the words of “Showers of Blessing” from 9. It was no coincidence but a quite fitting occurrence to welcome the Warriess Priestess, Jah9 accompanied by the Dub Treatment Band.
Band in place, proceedings began with welcome by Nanook’s proprietor Joan Webley, no stranger to such an audience, she spoke about the significance of the numeral 9, its meaning which relates to completion. This discourse was continued and further expounded by Professor K’nIfe who spoke also about the significance and value of Jah’s 9 music in this time, he praised her work in music for its message to this generation which was helping to raise the vibrations, transferring necessary Knowledge to influence change in one’s “live” or livity.
I found resonance in his words, profound yet clear, his introduction to the evening was edifying and uplifting. Jah 9 began her service by sharing not only her energy but also her soul, in songs. The songs performed were as follows:

1. Jungle
2. Legitimate
3. Closer
4. Gratitude
5. Irie
6. Brothers
7. Avocado
8. Marijuana ( accompanied by a sample introduction from Raging Fyah’s Ganja)
9. Humble Mi
10. Bloody City (accompanied by a sample introduction from John Leno’s “Imagine”)
11. Hardcore upcoming single
12. Rendition of “She’s Got her Ticket” – Tracy Chapman
13. Unafraid – upcoming single
14. Steamers a Bubble
15. New Name
16. Preacher Man
    
    

The entire set was a melting pot of passionate soulful delivery. I appreciate that in presentation, Jah 9 encompasses the feminine and masculine nrg balance. In each moment she is in tune to deliver what is appropriate and needful, embodying as much serious militancy and revolutionary spirit as she embodies femiNine whimsy. 
I was feeling grateful and blessed under the full moon as all this loving nrg reverberated within me and reflected to all patrons who were now in tune. Learning to be as hard and as soft as water was the example manifesting with me. While each song was performed, Jah 9 did not miss the opportunity at interludes to express passionately her feelings and admonish us in positive love and correction. It was a humbling but also reassuring experience to feel a connection such as this.
Most noteworthy was her performance of Hardcore and Unafraid. In the former, she warned against those who were letting ego make them hardcore but their heart was not pure. Truly, she was calling ones to self-reflection and examination. Jah 9 for me is like the warner woman of old or the abeng, a reminder to awake and prepare and be ready in a time when it is needed, for some of us are indeed sleeping on full awareness of the things which are for our benefit in these times. Message music has always been the mission from the beginning and this occasion of sharing was no different.  
I remember when she sang “This one is a warning warning, warning, warning”, I see now the synchronicity, it is no longer a warning or a drill, and it is now warfare as she enunciates in the hard hitting “Unafraid”, a powerful tune dismantling fear of speaking up and out against the wrongs against things happening within the community. She was unapologetic about the target for her new album stating that it was for the sisters in a very real way with no disrespect to the brothers. She outlined that the mission was to pay homage to the warriess spirit of the woman, thereby enabling a rising of the divine feminine nrg which is so needed in this very unbalanced time. This really connected with I as woman, I realized that there was also a sense of responsibility that I had to be accountable for, as well as a power and guidance from the ancestors, available to I in the earth to help heal I nation, which included my brothers, my sisters and the black nation’s children.
The Year of 9 was not an exclusive experience it was very much inclusive. The Year of 9 involves work for all I n I to do. Powerful women are sometimes misunderstood but I give thanks to be alive in a time when a woman can rise in a positive light without compromising her integrity. I give thanks for examples such as 9 which encourage I to live up to higher self. Jah 9 is by far one of the most influential voices in these times and the Year of 9 is not only a trod in music, it is a trod in self-discovery and an open invitation to challenge oneself unafraid.
Completing her set, the call came for an encore. She graced us again and closed out the show but not before asking us to perform a breathing exercise, in testament of her service as a yoga instructor. It was bliss to be there to witness this with my own eyes. Let the music be the message and let it wash over your consciousness to change you. In the words of 9 on 9mm Vol 1 “It is an honour and a privilege to make music in this time, give thanks for inspiration and guidance, this is Jah 9 and you’ve been listening to message music”.
As I prepared these words of honour to I sister, she released her mixtape 9mm Vol 2 now available on soundcloud and @ http://www.jah9.com/ for free download and partaking. Go and unlock yourself and connect as we look forward to “9” on 9.9.2+0+6+1.
Blissings and love as always and if this resonated do share by hitting the buttons below. Remember to follow @sistren_warrior and stay tuned for more @ #warriorsistrenseh.
   

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