Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 11-13-20

Feature
Elaina Narain, 8, Raps On Stage With Common
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
When the Narain fam- ily went to 5508 last week for a get-0ut-the-vote rally, they were supporting the event. They had no idea their 8-year-old daughter would end up on stage with Common, the rapper. That’s exactly what hap- pened. As a matter of fact, they learned that day that Common was an invited guest. “It had to be Divine intervention.”
Elaina, a 3rd grade E- Learner, has been singing Common’s song, ‘Glory,’ for about 6 weeks. She has memorized every word. Common does the song with artist John Legend.
Elaina had memorized the song so much until she was heard singing it each evening at home. “My dad helped me to understand the words and he’d always remind me to stay on the beat,” she explained. Her dad, Ed Narain, inter- jected, “yes, if she’s doing
stage. “I pulled my mask down and started rapping with him. I was nervous when I went up on the stage, but then I saw my dad come in and I wasn’t nervous any more – I had confidence,” she said. Dad happened to be on a confer- ence call in his vehicle when he heard the song.
Elaina joined Com- mon and a back-up singer, who sang John Legend’s portion of the song. This was one of the proudest moments for her parents. Also cheering her own was her sister, Zahara Narain.
Although 8 years old, Elaina would like to do and become a lot of things. Right now, she’s active in gymnastics. But she’d like to learn to play the violin, piano and drums, as well as become an actress.
“We encourage her to do well in school and we can provide help with her extra
Elaina on stage rapping with Common.
ELAINA NARAIN
something, we want her to do it right. So, I often re- mind her to keep up with the rhythm.”
Elaina had no particu- lar reason for liking the song, other than “it’s very inspiring, I liked the words,” she said during a telephone interview.
The young lady ex- plained that when Com- mon came on stage, her mother (Monica) took her front to be closer to the
curricular Narain said.
activities,”
Elaina gets big hug from Common.
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