Word up Gives Poets New Platform

For both upcoming and more established poets, the recent Word Up night at Terra Kulture in Victoria Island, Lagos turned out to be another platform for expression. The show, put together by Olumide Holloway and was graced by renowned international poet, Shihan Van Clief, was literally a harvest of talents.

The Spoken Word, according to Holloway, is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. “It’s a form of poetry intended for onstage performance rather than print, because its beauty lies in its delivery,” he explained. “The poet assumes the position of a prophet or sage reflecting on issues affecting his society; usually a product of deep meditation.”

The online writer also said that the views of the artistes encompass frank and sometimes satirical comments on politics, religion, gender, sexuality and other social behaviours

. “It often contains references to current events and issues relevant to a contemporary audience; using clever punch lines, witty remarks, poignant allusions and sarcasm.”

The Spoken Word poet, he continued, echoes the yearnings of his society, offering performances in form of a dramatic monologue, which are not mere reverberations but the very pulse of a generation. Therefore, the platform is an outlet for people, especially the younger generation, to express their views outside academic and institutional domains of university and colleges. Apart from its surface aesthetic value, which is live entertainment, Spoken Word is an educational tool. It is intellectually engaging, for a generation of youths that has been lost to a pop culture with eroding influences. It can be used to instruct, inform and reshape ideologies, enabling its audience make better informed decision, as it makes them aware of certain aspect pertaining to human life.

Holloway added that the Spoken Word has been found to be very beneficial both to the artiste and the listener, as topics discussed are often things the society shy away from confronting. “The advantages can’t be over-emphasised; as it’s high time we raised socially conscious youths, who will support the mantle of leadership.”

Spoken Word has been recorded to originate from blues music and the Harlem renaissance. The modern poetry as it is known today became popular in 1960 in African American community with the last poets, a political and music group borne out of the American civil rights movement. This part of poetry is at its peak with poets making a living out of their talents.

However, the same can’t be said of Nigeria as the industry is experiencing snail-paced growth. The industry received a boost recently when internationally-renowned Spoken Word Poet, Van Clief, who was a regular feature on Russell Simmons Def Jam Poetry, graced the stage of Word Up Volume 4.

It was a platform that featured the best Spoken Word Poets in Nigeria all on one stage. It is a major platform for poets across the globe. He explained that there were poets from Namibia, England and America at the previous edition.

“We aim to promote poets so we can create a means of employment, so that they can earn a living from their amazing performances. They are certain that a Spoken Word Poetry industry will help reduce unemployment in the country, as awareness and sponsorship of the art form increases. They are also passionate about the art as a genre of entertainment, a tool to increase literacy level and a means of communication among people across the globe.”

Enthusing about the quality of the creative works performed on stage, Holloway said that Nigeria is blessed with talented and skilled Spoken Word Poets. They include Sage Hasson, Plumbline, Donna K, Dolapo, Azino, Atilola, Bob Ekat Olulu, Elisheva, Torpedo, Efe Paul, Dark Poet, Wana Wana, Bob Ekat, Olulu and Floetry among others. “With the ever increasing number of Poets in Nigeria, all that is needed is the right corporate back up and another blooming industry is set to emerge.”

He eulogised the efforts of i2X Media, organisers of the biggest spoken word. “We are grateful to this medium for giving us the platform to always hold this programme, which has become annual.”