As Poejazzi's triumphunt Year of the Poet season draws to a close, the magnificent Eska headlines a line-up of "the UK's finest singers and lyricists" at the Soho Theatre in London on Sunday 17th Oct. On the night, Eska is joined by fast-rising singer-songwriter Tanya...
For the second year running, E4’s Udderbelly entertainment season at the Southbank Centre played host to London’s exclusive spoken word/music night Poejazzi on July 1st, which featured a band with lead vocalists that change costume six times in a set of just seven tracks, a young reincarnation of Joni Mitchell with in song jokes that induce both giggles and sadness and a Nigerian poet whose transcendental play on words play out like spells found in cosmic dustbins.
For the second year running, E4’s Udderbelly entertainment season at the Southbank Centre played host to London’s exclusive spoken word/music night Poejazzi on July 1st, which featured a band with lead vocalists that change costume six times in a set of just seven tracks, a young reincarnation of Joni Mitchell with in song jokes that induce both giggles and sadness and a Nigerian poet whose transcendental play on words play out like spells found in cosmic dustbins.
The Roundhouse, Camden on Wednesday night was full to the brim as fans present and future of alternative Hip Hop outfit Benin City [pictured above] gathered for their EP launch in association with PoeJazzi showcase events.
The night was hosted by South London’s finest, rapper Davey J who was kicking on all cylinders. His frenetic turn as compeer was peppered with deliberately distorted but ingenious freestyles.
Last Saturday, The Albany in Deptford, London saw the renowned creative collective, OneTaste, put on an event South-East of the river for the first time. Having traipsed to the North, South West and central parts of London to catch some of their previous shows it was great to have the Collective do a gig in my neck of the woods. Hosted by acclaimed spoken-word artist and core OneTaste member, Inua Ellams (in a very giddy mood), this particular event was held in conjunction with the Takeover festival which aims to give a platform to talented local youngsters. The result was a mix of artists even more diverse than the usual eclectic ride one comes to expect from OneTaste.
"I started writing poetry in 2001... because I couldn't afford paint."
25 year old Inua Ellams: born in Nigeria but resides in London where he spends his days and nights busily establishing himself as one of the city's most buzzworthy visual and verbal artists. As part of his word domination, he has performed all around the country and is a member of a growing number of poetry and creative collectives including OneTaste, A Poem In Between People, Malika's Poetry Kitchen, NewBlood, Generation Txt... and probably several others since I began writing this paragraph.
"I'm from a long line of trouble makers, of ash skinned Africans, born with clenched fists and a natural thirst for battle, only quenched by breast milk."- The above quote hollers from his self-penned play: The 14th Tale, which opens at London's National Theatre in the second week of February. A biographical coming of age story, the one-person play charts his experiences growing up in Nigeria, being schooled in Ireland and returning to England, where his career currently blossoms. Watch Inua talk about his play, his poetry - and the life experiences that inspire both - along with a performance of his poem "What Becomes of The Broken Hearted", in our video: The 14th Tale will be at the National Theatre (London) for 10 performances between 9 February - 13 March. All tickets are priced at £10 - nationaltheatre.org.uk Win a pair of tickets to see the show in March by emailing comps@soulculture.co.uk with your contact details, stating which date you'd like to see the show.
Portico Quartet, l-r Jack Wyllie, Nick Mulvey, Duncan Bellamy, Milo Fitzpatrick I’m sitting at the Riverside Terrace Café at the Royal Festival Hall with Milo Fitzpatrick, the double bass player from experimental Jazz outfit-extraordinaire Portico Quartet. We’re waiting for fellow band member and saxophonist Jack...