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Poetry and theatre

Miss Lou

The life and legacy of Louise Bennett: A Jamaican poet whose words still resonate

6 July, 2022 by Pasha O

Louise Bennett was a Jamaican author, poet, and playwright who used her words to promote the culture and history of her home country. She was fondly known by many as Miss Lou. Her poetry and writing were instrumental in developing a uniquely Jamaican cultural identity, and her work is still celebrated and revered today. Louise …

Read moreThe life and legacy of Louise Bennett: A Jamaican poet whose words still resonate
Grace Jones Meltdoen 2022

Grab your tickets for Meltdown at Southbank, curated by Grace Jones

8 June, 2022 by Ella Palmer

One of the UK’s most prestigious music festivals welcomes Grace Jones for the 27th edition of Meltdown, which features an eclectic blend of artists and music genres. For her line-up, Jones brings together artists from across the globe, including Peaches, Skunk Anansie and Baaba Maal. With her fierce individuality and fearless self-expression attitude, Jones is …

Read moreGrab your tickets for Meltdown at Southbank, curated by Grace Jones
paul laurence dunbar

World Poetry Day: Profile on Paul Laurence Dunbar

21 March, 2022 by Pasha O

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 …

Read moreWorld Poetry Day: Profile on Paul Laurence Dunbar

See Benjamin Zephaniah at Sydenham Arts Festival

21 June, 2013 by Pasha O

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 …

Read moreSee Benjamin Zephaniah at Sydenham Arts Festival

The American Dream (The Purse Suit Of Happyness)

30 January, 2013 by Pasha O

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 …

Read moreThe American Dream (The Purse Suit Of Happyness)

Modern Day Slavery by Karmelle

24 August, 2012 by Ella Palmer

Karmelle performing ‘Modern Day Slavery’ at Dark Sea Scrolls- Word Power and Sound. A monthly night hosted by El Crisis.  

Read moreModern Day Slavery by Karmelle

RSC’s all-black Julius Caesar comes to London

9 August, 2012 by Pasha O

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 …

Read moreRSC’s all-black Julius Caesar comes to London

Poem – Got Body by LD Henriquez

9 August, 2012 by Ella Palmer

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 …

Read morePoem – Got Body by LD Henriquez

George The Poet – The Olders ft Emmanuel Stanleys

4 May, 2012 by Ella Palmer

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 …

Read moreGeorge The Poet – The Olders ft Emmanuel Stanleys

Stop Search showing at Broadway Theatre Catford

29 March, 2012 by SandraD

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 …

Read moreStop Search showing at Broadway Theatre Catford

Phenomenal Woman – Maya Angelou

8 March, 2012 by Ella Palmer

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 …

Read morePhenomenal Woman – Maya Angelou

Babymother by George The Poet

21 February, 2012 by Ella Palmer

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 …

Read moreBabymother by George The Poet

Poem: Just Like Me by JaJa Soze

14 February, 2012 by Ella Palmer

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 …

Read morePoem: Just Like Me by JaJa Soze

I Am Nobody’s Nigger by Dean Atta

5 January, 2012 by Ella Palmer

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.  

Read moreI Am Nobody’s Nigger by Dean Atta

10 Things I Want To Say To A Black Woman

23 November, 2011 by Ella Palmer

Awesome poem by Joshua Bennett. Shot, Edited & Directed by Geno.tv. Music by Jason “Spanky” Edwards & Nana Kwabena.

Read more10 Things I Want To Say To A Black Woman

Suli Breaks – The Box – Poem

16 November, 2011 by Ella Palmer

Suli Breaks does it again with his spoken word. In this poem he captures the importance of waiting for the right time.

Read moreSuli Breaks – The Box – Poem

The Power of Black (Black History) – Suli Breaks

11 October, 2011 by Ella Palmer

Suli Breaks released this new poem this month, marking the one month when the UK acknowledge our history.  

Read moreThe Power of Black (Black History) – Suli Breaks

RIP Troy Davis – Murdered 21 September 2011 – Poem

22 September, 2011 by Ella Palmer

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 …

Read moreRIP Troy Davis – Murdered 21 September 2011 – Poem
Louise Bennett

Louise Bennet: Miss Lou dies at 86

28 July, 2006 by Ella Palmer

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 …

Read moreLouise Bennet: Miss Lou dies at 86
green leaf on pile of books

World Poetry Day: A celebration of language, creativity, and emotion

27 May, 2002 by Ella Palmer

World Poetry Day is an annual event held on 21 March, established by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) in 1999. It celebrates the power of poetry and its ability to captivate our imaginations, inspire our creativity, and encourage us to express our deepest emotions.  The idea for a specific day to …

Read moreWorld Poetry Day: A celebration of language, creativity, and emotion

Am I Black Enuf for ya?

7 July, 1999 by Ella Palmer

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 …

Read moreAm I Black Enuf for ya?
langston hughes

A Dream Deferred

5 February, 1999 by Ella Palmer

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.

Read moreA Dream Deferred

What A Real Sista Been Dyin’ To Say…

5 February, 1999 by Ella Palmer

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 …

Read moreWhat A Real Sista Been Dyin’ To Say…
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