Slave to the rhythm

Dr Fahim Chand | Monday June 5, 2023 06:00

The collective adrenaline avalanche promised an extraordinary evening. The orderly crowd, a real life manifestation of the pages of GQ and Vogue.

Each individual fashion offering a glance into the secrets of the soul. It is in the spirit of youth that we make our bold stand. Our faction, seemingly in slow motion, confidently strode to the head of the line.

A quick glance toward the sky was met with a familiar face and a captivating smile. The 6 foot 8 bouncer, Mo, uttered his engaging hello and simultaneously opened the rope to let us in to The Ramp.

The hottest Friday night ticket in London, Canada. It was time to cleanse the stress accumulated during the week. The dance floor was ablaze with pulsating energy as the crowd moved to the infectious beat of Soul II Soul’s Back to Life. The thumping bass reverberated through the air, beckoning us to surrender to its rhythm.

Amidst the sea of bodies, my friends and I found ourselves entwined in a euphoric dance, a moment of liberation from the pressures of university life. As the music washed over us, we shed our inhibitions and allowed the melody to guide our movements. Each step, each sway, was an expression of our individuality, a testament to the freedom we felt in that moment. The floor became our canvas, and the rhythm our paintbrush, as we painted a vibrant picture of unity and joy.

Laughter filled the air as we twirled and spun, lost in the electric atmosphere. The flickering lights illuminated our faces, capturing the sheer bliss that radiated from within us. The weight of exams, deadlines, and assignments faded into insignificance as we surrendered to the euphoric beat of the music. My friends with their infectious smiles and carefree spirit, twirled gracefully beside me. Their movements were fluid, as if the melody flowed through their veins. Our collective eyes sparkled with mischief, urging all to join in this vibrant dance of life. And so, I let go. I closed my eyes and surrendered myself to the rhythm. The beat throbbed in my chest, merging with my own heartbeat, as I became one with the music. The dance floor transformed into a sacred space, a sanctuary where worries were replaced with euphoria. In that moment, time ceased to exist, and we were suspended in a timeless nirvana. Our circle expanded as more friends joined our dance, each person bringing their unique flair to the floor. Strangers turned into friends, barriers melted away, and a sense of belonging settled deep within our hearts.

The lyrics of Back to Life echoed in my mind, reminding me of the significance of the moment. We were there, dancing in unison, living in the moment, embracing the essence of youth. The music encapsulated the essence of our journey, inspiring us to seize the day, to create memories that would linger in our hearts long after the last notes faded away. And then, as abruptly as it began, the song ended. The crowd erupted in applause, their exuberance a testament to the collective experience we had just shared. We stood there, breathless and exhilarated, basking in the afterglow of a night that would forever be etched in our memories. The power of music to influence our lives is astounding. Its power is unrivalled, coursing through our veins like a life force, breathing life into the mundane and painting vivid strokes of meaning on the canvas of our existence. Passion stirs within us when we hear the haunting melody of a violin, the thunderous beat of drums, or the delicate strumming of a guitar. Music holds the key to our innermost desires and sorrows, unfurling like a kaleidoscope of emotions. It speaks to the depths of our souls, igniting fires that fuel our dreams and aspirations. We find solace in times of despair, as a gentle lullaby softly rocks away our troubles. It evokes nostalgia, whisking us back to cherished memories with a mere chord progression. It rallies us together, creating anthems that unite generations in a harmonious chorus of solidarity and hope.

One can’t help but feel pride in Africa’s strength and magnificence as the opening notes of Shakira’s Waka Waka manifest and power into life. Music is the portal to our truest selves, allowing us to shed our inhibitions and dance with unbridled joy. It weaves narratives that unravel the complexities of our world, shedding light on the human condition. It is here that we see our true physiologic purpose, erasing the tainted poison of our life’s stresses. As we stand back and observe, we realise that music is the thread that weaves and binds everything. Every emotion, every experience and every memory. It is the seeker of all followers and the piper that binds us all together, reminding us of our shared humanity. So venture on in your voyage of discovery, it is in the intricate beat of Burna Boy’s or Han-C’s musical masterpieces that true magic is found. Or press the rewind button and journey back into the hallowed halls of music past.

Remember the euphoric rapture of the high school football championship framed by the pulsating beat of Kool and the Gang’s Celebration or the melancholy beat of Lionel Richie’s unforgettable ballads to remember the one that got away. As the incomparable Grace Jones once said, “We are all slaves to the rhythm.”