IF you’ve missed America’s Commander –in-Chief, Barack Obama on the comedic Tonight Show with Jimmy Kimmel, or First Lady, Michelle Obama dancing to ‘Uptown Funk’ at this year’s White House Easter Egg Roll, then perhaps the social interactions of even the highest US officials which make them more relatable may come as a surprise to you. 

Yet, the recent ‘rap’ collaboration of the song, “More than Visas”, between the US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway and local rapper, Dominic “Rémar” Weekes, has been met with much public approval, as this is the first time in the country that such a project has been undertaken. And it certainly reveals the more “hip” side of the country’s highest US diplomat.
The song, though less than two minutes long, incorporates a meaningful message, celebrating the 50-year friendship between Guyana and the United States, while raising awareness of the various services that the US Embassy provides, including human rights awareness, aiding in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and other projects.

HAND WASH HAND

While piggy-backing on a catchy rhythm and the lyrical talent of our very own Rémar, the US envoy chimes in and spits some of his own rhymes, and even endearingly incorporates a sample of the Guyanese vernacular through use of the adage, “hand wash hand mek hand come clean”.
In a statement on the US Embassy’s Facebook page, Holloway says that the idea came about in March when he hosted a reception for the young leaders of Guyana.
As Holloway explained in the statement: “I asked him if he would write a ‘rap’ song celebrating our 50 years of diplomatic relations.
“I wrote a list of about 50 things that we have done, or are doing in Guyana and gave that to Rémar…
“After speaking with Rémar, it was clear that most people associated the U.S. Embassy in Guyana only with visas, and Rémar did a great job in a short song of talking about way more than just the visas. “This started out as a celebratory song, and then became a way of getting our message out to the young people of Guyana…”

SURPRISE CALL
In an interview with The Buzz, Rémar explained that when one of the embassy’s public affairs officers contacted him saying that the ambassador was interested in doing a song, he initially thought it was a joke.
“But then he went on to explain the message he wanted to include in this song, and why he chose music, and in particular hip hop, to convey it,” Rémar said, adding that this is what spurred him to quickly pen the lyrics, based on themes that were shared with him.
After a few rehearsals, the pair hit the Brutal Tracks studio. “It was a pleasure working with him! He was open to learning, and tried to learn as much as possible. And he was willing to do whatever to make this song a success. From the jump, he viewed and respected what I do with my music as a craft and an art form,” Rémar said.
The young rapper also noted that it was admirable when such officials interact with the public in personal ways, stating that it makes the message easily received. “I think when an official like the ambassador shows that relaxed, relatable and fun side while conveying a very important message, it goes a far way with connecting with the people,” Rémar said.
The song has received more than 50,000 views in one day, along with hundreds of shares and positive comments, and speaks to the appeal of popular culture and the benefits of using such a medium to reach the youth.