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Poetry and theatre

World Poetry Day: Profile on Paul Laurence Dunbar

paul laurence dunbar

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

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’T Dream (The Purse Suit Of Happyness)

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’T Dream (The Purse Suit Of Happyness)

Modern Day Slavery by Karmelle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Bennet: Miss Lou dies at 86

Louise Bennett

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

Am I Black Enuf for ya?

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?

A Dream Deferred

langston hughes

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…

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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