In response to my post inviting requests for blog posts on specific topics, I was asked to share my thoughts on ‘performance poetry vs spoken word’. It has been a while since I was involved in the poetry scene and, therefore, I’m out of touch with what the trends, thoughts, etc. that currently exist within the scene. Having gone from regularly writing, performing, promoting and hosting shows, and doing a lot of poetry in corporate spaces, I’ve been on an indefinite sabbatical/ retirement, so my views might be out-dated and/or out of sync with those who are driving the word forward. I...
Mutumbo’s Sweet Memories
Spoken word / poetry has stuttered across the continent, going through ebbs and flows as poets grapple to build platforms and garner the kind of support necessary to sustain a life dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in word, thought and craft. In Ghana, it is no different. Two years ago, I attended the Bless The Mic open mic series in Accra run by Mi Prime Entertainment and briefly met their resident poet, Mutombo. We shared thoughts on poetry, we shared a poem and went our separate ways. In that time, Mutumbo has been paying his dues, and contributing to the development of the scene in...
Urban Soul Poetry Slam Winner – Buthelezi
I've never really been sure how I actually feel about poetry slams. I had the opportunity to tour the UK in 2006 as part of Hammer & Tongue's Four Continents Poetry Slam Tour and that was fun because it was the same 8 poets, grateful for the opportunity to share our work. I just find that, in some spaces 'the point IS the points and not the poetry'. Anyway, despite these feeble misgivings, I was a judge at the first ever Urban Soul Poetry Slam at Maponya Mall in Soweto and Buthelezi is the man who took the prize. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuynfozMzg8 I will be loading more videos...