This is a story 30 years in the making, so get comfortable. Circa 1984, I moved with my parents and younger brothers to Columbus from Canton, OH. In the process of getting to know the city, becoming involved in the African-American community, and building a cultural experience for my upbringing, my mother took me to the Driving Park library (before it was remodeled and moved) to see an African drum and dance performance. Having already experienced my first Battle of the Bands in Canton, Mom already knew I was drawn to the drums (listen to “All My Love” from my LP Snaps, Taps, Booms & Baps for a more detailed story of my musical development.) All aspects of that performance at the library had me hooked.

Post performance conversation led to Saturday morning drum classes at the African Center on Livingston Avenue (a space that later became Ujamaa Book Store). Those Saturday morning classes turned into Saturday afternoon performances around the city. Classes moved from the African Center to Garfield School (later to be known as the King Performing Arts Center). Time passed as time always does; Kwanzaa of 1986 became Kwanzaa of 1996. That second grader was now 18 years old. That decade of experiences under the tutelage of Baba Tony West was not only the foundation of my musical education, but very instructive in my development as an African-American male in this society.

Fast forward from 1996 to 2013. I’m in full swing as a veteran DJ of 16 years, but I’m searching for something. I can’t quite describe what I’m looking for, but I know I’m missing something. Culturally, spiritually, creatively … it’s all not quite in line. A couple of chance run-ins with Carlton Pope finally brought me to the Lincoln Theater for the Thiossane West African Dance Institute’s (TWADI) Tuesday evening community drum and dance classes. Suzan Bradford-Kounta, Najia, and Carlton are all folks I had previous relationships with in the community, whether through drumming and dancing or through other community events, so becoming a part of those community classes when my schedule allowed was a perk I was humbled to experience based on more than 20 years of mutual respect.

And just like that, I found it.

It was that foundation of every other musical endeavor I ever had in life — drumming.

Every six weeks on Tuesday became every Tuesday. Conversations led to collaborations led to being honored to be a member of TWADI’s professional company. While it’s about drumming and it’s about dancing, it’s about so much more. The values, responsibilities, expectations, challenges, and fellowship of creatives with a common cultural respect and bond is what TWADI returned to my life. The societal trappings that I often encountered as a DJ in the entertainment industry aren’t present in my experiences with TWADI. That ancestral grounding, that return to the root, was what I needed. It’s what I’ve once again found.

All for One, One for All…

– Jesse bka DJ Krate Digga… Follow me on twitter @KrateDigga, follow TWADI @Thiossane_Inst.