VP Records in Queens, New York, synonymous with hard-rocking dancehall music, on September 27, hosted Poetry: Echoes of Expression, an event organised by Richie Innocent.

It was the second instalment of the show, a forum to expose the work of poets and authors.

In an interview with Observer Online, Richie Innocent said there was even a greater response this year.

“The turnout was great, and the space was about family and community. This was historical and a revelation, with the atmosphere that was at VP Records’ Cultural Centre,” he said.

The St Elizabeth-reared artiste, who lives in New York City, was among the performers who represented different regions of the Jamaican diaspora. They included Ras Igus and Marj Da Poet, also based in the Big Apple, Marcia Jackson from Florida, Amaziyah The Great out of Rhode Island and American Blaq Ice, who is based in Chicago.

Author Sharon Gordon, another Jamaican creative based in New York, also read excerpts from Sheribaby, her well-received debut book, which was released in May.

The event was attended by Pat Chin, the matriarch of VP Records, who celebrated her 88th birthday on September 20. The author of the book, My Reggae Music Journey, spoke about the importance of poetry to Jamaican culture.

Richie Innocent, who closed the show, performed Babylon Slaves, Good Old Days, Community, Hills mi Deh and The Passover, his latest song. Despite minor hiccups, he expects Poetry: Echoes of Expression to grow substantially.

“The glitches weren’t major, but there are things to include that will make this the product that it is becoming, and we are looking forward to the third show, and like the words of an attendee, we are looking forward to celebrating the 10th staging,” he said.

— Howard Campbell