 |
The official launch of the young adult novel Musical Youth was held at Best of Books in Antigua on Friday 21 November. Author Joanne Hillhouse read an excerpt of the book. In the passage that she read, Shaka, one of the main characters hears a song, Melanin, that he has written play on the radio for the first time. |
Musical Youth Excerpt
 Joanne C. Hillhouse reading at the Best of Books Musical Youth launch |
“The first time he heard his song on the radio, he was doing the dishes after dinner while his mother moved around their small kitchen, putting things away. Pappy was in his chair in the living room, radio turned up on the news, about the only reason he put on the radio since he couldn’t stand modern music or chatty DJs. |
Zahara complained that her Granny Linda always changed the station when music came on; must be an old people thing because as soon as the news presenter signed off, Pappy started making getting up noises. That’s when “Melanin” cut in and though he’d given the CD to Diva himself, Shaka’s body seized up in shock. It was noticeable enough for his mother to ask, “Something wrong? Wha’ happen?”
And he screamed, he wasn’t even ashamed to say it, he screamed, and ran into the living room, pushing past Pappy to turn up the radio as loud as it could go.
“You bwoy!” Pappy chastised.
“That’s my song, that’s my song,” he shouted, and that shut up both Pappy and his mother who had come out from the kitchen with more questions.
He couldn’t stand still; dashed to his room, got his phone and started texting everybody. Zahara first, then the Crew.
Put on the radio. Melanninnn!!!!“
Want to read more? As always, check out our book store here.