Reviewed by JESSICA NEU
“Think back to a time in your life when you felt extreme gratitude. Now let your spirit sink into that feeling. Feel it through your body. Remember how you were breathing in at that moment. Now breathe. Take that feeling and apply it right now. Gratitude is what gets you through life.”
Ys1 (Yusef Shelton Da First)
As Ys1 (Yusef Shelton Da First) debuted his show Ignite at the New Hazlett Theater, he and his mentor, Marcell Johnson, delivered insight and motivation through these types of aspirational messages paired with original Rap music. This ebb and flow of music and monologue create an energetic and inspiring environment centered around Ys1’s theme of purpose.
Ys1 is originally from Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, but he moved to New Jersey to live with his uncle after bullets ripped through his neighborhood, killing one of his mentors. However, shortly after moving to New Jersey, Ys1’s uncle was killed suddenly in a car accident. This tragedy sparked a realization in Ys1 that, although he had no role model, he must persevere to be the individual he was put on this earth to be.
He tells this story of navigation, tribulation, and exploration through his powerful, intelligent rhymes as a three-piece band of drums, guitar, and violin supports him. Also included in the show are two backup singers and two dancers to help augment Ys1’s painful past and triumphant present. Simple clothing with contrasting colors, tasteful lighting, and engaging background images make his journey as visually appealing as it is auditorily inspiring.
Ys1’s message is simple yet consistent: he raps to ignite purpose in others. He believes that all mental health-related concerns (depression, anxiety, suicide ideation, etc.) stem from having a lack of purpose. Ys1 found himself struggling to find his true sense of self and purpose as a teenager, but after discovering the Lord and joining a local youth group, he realized that he needed to be the first, most authentic version of himself, thereby generating the name “Da First.”
Ys1 has returned to Pittsburgh and, with the help of motivational speaker and mentor Marcell Johnson, travels to schools throughout the region to teach at-risk youth Social Emotional Learning strategies. The lessons help students find their own purpose, be authentic, and tap into who they were put on earth to be, for doing so opens doors of opportunity and growth. He preaches the importance of overcoming generational curses that cannot be put back together but can be overcome by finding your own identity. It is a timely and timeless message told through original Rap music that is part street and part Church.
A unity of contraries, perhaps, but one that will ‘ignite’ inspiration in any individual, regardless of their struggles, stressors, or story.
‘Ignite’ at the New Hazlett Theater, part of their Community Supported Art (CSA) series | wit a remaining performance on February 17, 2023 at 8 pm | https://newhazletttheater.org/csa/
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