Master percussionist brings Caribbean take on Gaga, Sade and Sheila E

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27: It’s hard to imagine Lady Gaga, Sade or Sheila E’s music infused with a reggae beat.

But accomplished master percussionist, vocalist, record producer and storyteller Onika Best is going to take on the challenge during her Neo Griot session at Chewstick tomorrow evening.

CultureFest organizer Eugene Dean said: “Her performance is a Caribbean fusion of Sheila E, Sade and Lady Gaga. She takes her audience on a visceral journey of poetry, drumming and song that transforms the conventional limits of feminine self-expression with her uninhibited passion for life.”

Best, who has been living in Barbados for 20 years, came to the island to perform at the recent CultureFest in Dockyard which was postponed due to bad weather.

She was scheduled to showcase music from her new album on the World Stage at CultureFest.

Now she will be hosting the Griot Session at the Chewstick Lounge on Court Street tomorrow from 7pm to 10pm to combine theatre, music and style.

“Onika's presence on stage is true medicine for the soul,” added Dean. “She embodies the sentiments of the esteemed Bob Marley when he says "one good thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain".

Best’s Chewstick show will be used as an opportunity to mobilize local support for the CultureFest theme of "unity in the community" while also setting the tone for the Chewstick Summer Retreat that commences on Friday.

CutureFest is due to take place on July 21 and 22 although Best will have left the island by then.