I Rise
Like the phoenix rising from the ashes
Today is World Poetry Day, and to celebrate, we’re highlighting a poet some may not have heard about in mainstream circles. Today, we feature Paul Laurence Dunbar, poet, novelist, and short-story writer. He was one of the first African American poets to gain national recognition. Paul Laurence Dunbar was born on 27 June 1872 in …
Benjamin Zephaniah headlines this year’s Sydenham Arts Festival. This is a rare chance to hear this iconic poet and musician hot from his international schedule. Zephaniah is a British Jamaican Rastafarian writer and dub poet. He is a well-known figure in contemporary English literature, and was included in The Times list of Britain’s top 50 …
Before the grammar police pipe up, the title isn’t misspelt. Well, not if seen as the play on words intended by spoken word poet Suli Breaks. Following the viral success of his poem Why I Hate School but Love Education, Suli Breaks has released a new jam. The poet give’s his definition of the American’t Dream as …
Karmelle performing ‘Modern Day Slavery’ at Dark Sea Scrolls- Word Power and Sound. A monthly night hosted by El Crisis.
Shakespeare’s great political thriller finds dark contemporary echoes in modern Africa, a fast-moving thriller about a struggle for democracy. The dictator must be assassinated. But who will replace him? Julius Caesar is a story about two men united by an explosive act of political violence. With echoes of the recent overthrow of dictators during the …
The official video for ‘Got Body’ by LD Henriquez. ‘Got Body’ is a poetic ode to body image and a stand against certain beauty industry ideals that dictate that ‘beauty’ is restricted/solely packaged within certain shapes, sizes and specifications. It is a celebration of a real beauty ideal, appreciates having substance beyond the just the …
George The Poet has written another great poem. The Olders highlights a subject close to my heart, the influence that certain ‘road men’ have on young boys. Having banged on about it for decades, I realise that maybe the message is better coming from a young person rather than a parent type. Watch the video filmed …
Stop Search is a hard-hitting story about the impact of police Stop and Search powers; of the tense drama young people must play out in the public space. It’s all over the news but how does it feel to be right in the thick of it? Two happy families are thrown together by celebration and …
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s sizeBut when I start to tell them,They think I’m telling lies.I say,It’s in the reach of my armsThe span of my hips,The stride of my step,The curl of my lips.I’m a womanPhenomenally.Phenomenal woman,That’s me. I walk into a roomJust …
I said “Wagwan little man? What, you not my friend? Cos I missed your birthday party you’re mad?” He said “Mummy was there so you shoulda been too” I’m thinkin ‘Me and mummy’s cool but I can’t be your dad’. I told him I would make it up to him. Kids have this habit of …
Rapper Jaja Soze has released his new spoken word poem today entitled Just Like Me. The poem asks “how can you want to kill me brother? I’m just like you.” That’s a question we have been asking for a long time about black on black violence. The poem also speaks to the heart of young thugs, clueless …
Poet Dean Atta wrote this poem in response to the conclusion of the Stephen Lawrence case. Within hours of it’s release the poem went viral.
Awesome poem by Joshua Bennett. Shot, Edited & Directed by Geno.tv. Music by Jason “Spanky” Edwards & Nana Kwabena.
Suli Breaks does it again with his spoken word. In this poem he captures the importance of waiting for the right time.
Suli Breaks released this new poem this month, marking the one month when the UK acknowledge our history.
I’m on a madness, Thinking about the badness, humans visit on each other. Sent my petition for Troy’s stay of execution They killed him. Why did I bother? Still, gotta keep up the fighting Using my writing Though the human condition gets on my nerves. Try’na change the world with my pen a handful of …
On Wednesday, Jamaican poet and folklorist Louise Simone Bennett-Coverly, who became the voice of the island’s culture at home and abroad, died in Toronto. She was 86 years old. Jamaica Information Service announced her death without giving a cause. After collapsing late Tuesday night, she was hospitalised in Toronto. As a social commentator who used …
Am I Black Enuf for ya?B. Keith Wilson If I don’t call my brothas and sistas niggas,would I be Black Enuf For Ya?If I told you that I couldn’t rap or sing,that I couldn’t dance to save my life,and that I don’t even shoot hoops that wellwould you say that I’m not black enuf for …
by Langston Hughes What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry uplike a raisin in the sun?Or fester like a sore–And then run?Does it stink like rotten meat?Or crust and sugar over–like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sagslike a heavy load. Or does it explode.
Sista, please”Time out!I need a word with youyou messin’ up my good thangand this just ‘aint gon’ doNow, understand – you can do what you want with your life”but your triflin’ ways are causin’ REAL sistastoo much stress and strife See, when you runnin’ behind this brother and the next”acceptin’ his lies and cashin’ your …
