A Portrait of Mark Barrett

By John Ferguson

Mark Barrett (also known as Supa Marky) has a story that spans continents and cultures. Born in Ipswich, Mark's upbringing was far from typical. He was raised by his grandparents, his early years punctuated by moves between Ipswich, London, and Jamaica. His grandfather, an Ipswich bus driver, demonstrated the resilience and industrious spirit of a family that found stability in the transport sector. Despite the geographical shifts, Ipswich remained an anchor for Mark in a life of transitions.

In 1984, Mark returned permanently to Ipswich to reunite with his mother and siblings, reconnecting with a family that had always been a part of him, yet still felt distant. However, his father remained absent from his life until their paths crossed in the vibrant local sound system scene.

The sound systems of Ipswich, their roots in the Caribbean music scene, forged identities and bonded communities. It was at a sound system event at the ICA that Mark was introduced to his father. He was twenty-one years old.

A friend pointed him out across the venue, setting the stage for a reunion that felt like a scene from a film. The years of separation melted away as they bonded over shared interests and experiences, bringing newfound paternal guidance and companionship to Mark’s life.

‘We became really close, and bonded to become real good friends,’ Mark recalls, reflecting on the pivotal role his father played in his life between their unexpected meeting and his passing in 2019. Mark found not only a parent but also a mentor in the world of music and community life. His father was a respected figure in the local music scene, and the relationship they developed was instrumental in shaping Mark's approach to music and community engagement. 

At the Caribbean Centre, Mark vividly recalls the sound systems and the domino games led by his father, which were as much about community and connection as they were about music and competition. He began to organise and produce music clashes that attracted a new community of talented MCs from Suffolk and further afield. 

The closure of the Caribbean Centre dispersed a tightly-knit community and diluted the shared cultural practices that had united them. Lamenting its loss, Mark recognises the crucial role the centre played in maintaining cultural continuity and fostering social bonds within the Caribbean community in Ipswich.

Today, Mark continues to channel his passion for music and community into events that recreate the sense of unity once fostered by the Caribbean Centre. His efforts reflect a commitment to preserving his cultural heritage and inspiring the next generation, ensuring that the legacy of the sound systems and the spirit of the Caribbean Centre lives on.