Up Close … with local poet Tony Joubert aka Ras Pyek-‘My true inspiration comes from everyday happenings around me’ |02 August 2011
He sat, calmly waiting for my incessant questions which I sensed he knew were coming. A flash of perfectly aligned teeth, a strong jaw and chiseled features which would look perfectly at home on a runway; the only thing eccentric about him being his dreadlocks, tucked beneath his beanie hat.
I was at a loss for words for a little under a micro second after which journalistic instinct kicked in and minute details of his life which seemed to startle him – as though he had forgotten about the memories – began to surface and a clear image of our local artist began to unravel.
Tony Joubert, stage named Ras Pyek, wasn’t born in our little tropical country as most people assumed, but in Lebanon; a fact which caught me off guard, not because it was a foreign land but because I remembered, from some distant recess in my mind, that at the time Lebanon was in the midst of a multifaceted civil war. This lasted between 1975, through 1977 (when Tony was born), up to 1990. It could not have been an easy time and at that, over 150,000 people were killed.
Inspiration enough, many may think. Perhaps, but Tony didn’t stick around long enough to find out.
At the tender age of five months, our future visionary and poetic pioneer was adopted and brought to live here where he has stayed ever since.
Like most Seychellois children, Tony was a fairly happy child. He also adored his adoptive father who everybody knew as ‘Pyek’ and who inspired Tony’s stage name. To the latter, his father seemed like a King and the word ‘Ras’, meaning Duke or head, suited him just fine; and so, Ras Pyek was born.
“I was an only child and I always enjoyed playing by myself,” he said. “It was never really a problem and I didn’t have the urge to feel like I belonged to a group; I did my own thing.”
Tony’s days were often spent deep in the forests of his district, Takamaka, where he enjoyed hours and hours of play and make-believe.
“I remember watching movies about the Vietnam War and then going out to try my battle tactics. I had a toy gun and I would constantly be shooting at imaginary targets.”
Tony’s first years were spent learning at the Takamaka primary school and later moved to Anse Royale secondary.
“I also did NYS (National Youth Service), but then abandoned the programme,” he said.
“One thing I regret is that I didn’t take the time to continue my studies. You see, I had always wanted to become a Rastafarian without realising that ‘Rastas’ could also become doctors, dentist, carpenters and even lawyers. My dream job however was to become a counselor and help out with social work. I try to help as many people as I can and often spend time advising friends and acquaintances alike.”
As a boy, Tony described himself as a ‘nuisance’.
“I used to be the class clown; always making the other kids laugh,” he said. “I could be a real pain at times.”
“At school, my favourite subjects were History, English and Religion.”
Of course what was on my mind at the time was; why a poet!
“I wrote my first poem in primary five and then moved on to song writing a little later. That was pretty much after I found out I couldn’t sing,” he said laughing.
“I’ve written a few songs for a couple of singers though,” he added as if as an afterthought.
Tony said he has no preference when it comes to his poems and that he likes all of them equally.
“Most of my poems revolve around socio-political themes and although a lot of poets claim to be inspired by nature, I’m often not. Yes it is easier and more relaxing to write when surrounded by nature but my true inspiration comes from everyday happenings around me,” he explained. “We could be having a completely random conversation or a group of people could be doing just that not far from me and I’d instantly begin thinking about what I could possibly do with it.”
Tony said that what interests him the most is Rastafarian ideology, Poetry, History, Religious Philosophy and Art.
“I have never been interested in sports,” he said. “My folks were rather overprotective so I did not really crave what other little boys my age did.”
Tony also said he is looking forward to being able to publish a book sometime in the future.
“It’s not a done deal, but I would really like to get to that point eventually,” he said. “I love 
The popular ‘Poetik’ came about a few years ago in 2006.
“I wrote a couple of sentences and pretty much just left it at that. Later I took part in what we call a Poetry Slam competition in Reunion. That’s when I met a South African man who I later befriended. He spoke about inspiration stemming from his experiences during apartheid. That’s what gave me the extra drive I needed to complete my poem; so I did, and now it’s a success,” he said smiling.
“I use the background music as means of reaching my audience’s mind; it’s my personal style and I feel my message comes across stronger.”
Tony said he appreciates all the compliments his fans give him.
“However, I do tend to miss hearing constructive criticisms ¬–¬ after all, it’s the only way to really progress isn’t it?”
On his plans for the future, Tony had this to say:
“I really don’t like making plans. Rastafarians do not make plans; plans come to us. You don’t have to waste time and precious energy worrying about what you’re going to do tomorrow or who you’re going to meet. This way, life becomes easier and stress-free.”
Tony lives at Beau Vallon with his girlfriend and two children.
By Rebecca Chang-Tave