As a creative, it’s expected that there will be times throughout your artistic journey when those creative juices simply aren’t flowing quite as fluidly as you would like. Needless to say, creative blocks can be extremely daunting, and leave an individual hard-pressed to find a solution, especially when there’s a deadline to meet. But, the truth is, these creative blocks are unfortunately common territory for someone that relies on or is relied upon for their creativity. There is no definitive solution for how to overcome a creative block, especially considering there is more than one reason for a one to exist in the first place. That said, the arrival of this inauspicious mindset does not need to be so mind-numbingly frustrating as to foreshadow complete ruination. Granted, a creative block is undoubtedly difficult to move past, but provided you’re able to find the motivation, there is great benefit in utilising other creative works for inspiration. As it concerns poetry, inspiration can certainly be found in listening to the work of other artists, particularly those with a similar purpose, approach, or style. Then again, inspiration can also be sourced from work that is completely contrary to your own. It’s all just a matter of actively seeking the means to conquer that stifling mindset. So, attend events, engage in productive conversations on the topic, listen to spoken word offerings from your favourite poets online, or even look to some of your older material to help you decide what comes next, do whatever you think will help; the important thing is to keep at it. It may take some time, but you will eventually get over that creative slump, and when you do, you’ll look back and realise the experience, as vexing as it was, was just a minor bump on the road to greatness. Written by: Liam Spencer
Author Archives: wordplayflow
Is There Ever a Right Way to Write and Perform Poetry?
For centuries poets have used poetry as a medium for unfeigned, heartfelt expression, and taken to the stage to dazzle audiences with mesmeric displays of oral mastery and tradition. As with all creative mediums, poetry has certainly evolved over time with poets finding a profusion of ways in which to deliver their message, and it is this versatility that has allowed poetry to stand the proverbial test of time. Similarly, it is for this reason that it cannot be said that there is a “right” or “proper” way to write and perform poetry. The poet is entitled to share their truth in whichever manner they so choose. Whether that be a lyrical, wordplay-heavy rendition of some politically-motivated spoken word or an eloquently, well-crafted piece of purposeful prose. It’s all welcome, and any contrariwise suggestion is, well, false. Poetry is for everyone. And no vastly limited award ceremony or circumlocutory commentary can prove otherwise. There is no definitive style or integral component with which to evince its structural integrity; and by the same token, prolificacy is not confirmation of its excellence, nor is reading off a sheet of paper or one’s phone an attestation to its lack thereof. While contemporary poets may draw on the past for inspiration, it is indubitably apparent that each individual poet seeks to carve out a very distinguishable niche for their own body of work. The scope with which an individual enjoys success varies from poet to poet, and while it appears prominence is the appreciable yardstick for eminence, it is in the composition of these poems that greatness is truly derived. Written by: Liam Spencer
Find Out How You Could Star in Rapman’s New UK Series
Last year it was confirmed that the mind behind the UK film Blue Story, Rapman, would be producing a new superhero series set in South London called ‘Supercell’. Commissioned by Netflix after being recognised globally for his online short film Shiro’s Story, the series is set to be a winner and here is how you or someone you know can get involved in the action. Casting are seeking a black male actor for a role that requires no previous experience. This provides a great opportunity for creatives and developing actors that are seeking to take the next step in their career with one of the best upcoming producers the UK has seen in a very long time. Blue Story was significant in showing what life is like for many black youth living in London today, but it also paved the way for more young black men to express their talent through the art that suits them best. Rapman has stuck to his roots and will continue to do so with his new partnership with Netflix as his strives to keep his work authentic before anything else. Isabella Odoffin Casting are currently seeking a male actor who fits the brief below: If you think you have what it takes to be a part of one of the most highly anticipated UK series then apply before the 4th March 2022. Best of luck!
Three Powerful Performances Every Poet Should See
Every now and again a poet delivers a performance so powerful it lingers in the mind long after they’ve uttered their final word. These are the performances that are remembered long after the poet calls it a day on their poetry careers. “OCD” by Neil Hilborn Neil Hilborn’s “OCD” is not only incredibly affecting but also masterfully delivered. The performance, which can be found on Button Poetry’s YouTube channel, is a perfect example of what performance poetry can be when a poet has complete command of the stage and their subject matter; and knows exactly the impression they want to leave on the audience before it’s all said and done at the end of the night. “Miss America” by Ramya Ramana Ramya Ramana’s performance of “Miss America” at the NYC 2014 Slam Final is the type of performance every poet strives to accomplish at least once in their poetry career. What makes this particular performance so stupendous isn’t only that it is delivered with such spellbinding ardour, but that it is so uncompromisingly honest. “Miss America” is relevant. It’s brilliant. But most importantly of all, it’s necessary. “The System” by Prentice Powell Prentice Powell’s performance of “The System” on Season 3 of Rhythm and Flow will surely go down in the annals of performance poetry history as one of the most legendary performances… period. Many a poet has taken to the stage to speak about the corruption caused by the “system”, but none have done it quite like Prentice Powell. An aspiring poet looking for a lesson in performance, delivery, storytelling, and stage presence need not look any further than Powell’s “The System”. Written by: Liam Spencer
Poetic Unity Supporting the Youth of Our Communities
Brixton based charity organisation, Poetic Unity have been creating poetry based initiatives which provide support and safe spaces for young people and wordsmiths alike. Launched by Ryan, also known as Ragz, Poetic Unity has become a fundamental part of the arts community with the aim of using poetry to help youth express how they feel, and use what they discover to navigate through life. Fast forward to 2021, the organisation was awarded £100,000 from the National Lottery Fund to continue their brilliant work showcasing the beauty of spoken word, and supporting the mental health of those who need it. Since being awarded funding, the platform has expanded on their work to provide opportunities for creatives to get involved and develop their own skills whilst helping the charity fulfill their goals. They host weekly virtual poetry events and mental health workshops to keep the words and our minds alive during what we still consider to be an ongoing pandemic. 2021 saw the organisation achieve major goals including providing support to 730 young people directly, engaging over 6000 people who have attended their events, and contributing to over 150 services that have supported the community. We can’t wait to see what Poetic Unity has lined up for 2022, but one thing we do know is that every little helps. To find out more about how you can get involved, donate, and spread the word visit their website. We appreciate all the art based initiatives that are still pushing through these hard times to reach the people who need it most. From events to workshops, Poetic Unity is uniting people through more than just poetry. They are inspiring people to think outside of the box creatively, and use their experiences to excel in what they do best.
‘Yours Sincerely, Asim’
On the 29th of December, one of the spoken word scene’s most prominent performers, Asim the Poet, released his debut poetry anthology titled Yours Sincerely, Asim. The 100-page collection coincides with the poet’s recent marriage last December, which saw the newlywed dedicate the collection to his wife. Asim the Poet, a regular at events such as the FLO Vortex, of which he was personally named a FLO Poet by the “Floacist” Natalie Stewart in 2019, and the one-time event Just Rhyme, which he headlined later the same year, has proven time and again that he is one of the most gifted and versatile poets on the entire scene. Whether he’s wowing audiences with superb wordplay and intricate metaphors or earning the applause of a captivated audience following an unexpected twist at the end of some masterful storytelling, Asim can do it all. Yours Sincerely, Asim is not only another example of the poet’s impressive versatility, but also a testament to his extraordinary work ethic and willingness to explore avenues, some may consider, out of his comfort zone. The collection, now available to purchase on Amazon, is more than just a feather in the poet’s proverbial cap, it is the consolidation of the multifarious nature of his work, further cementing that there is no genre too daunting for this wordsmith to tackle. Since his arrival on the poetry scene, Asim has been one of its keenest supporters, often travelling over a hundred miles from Leicester to attend spoken word nights and staying put until the event’s conclusion. Now with 2021 behind him and the title of author added to his list of accomplishments, Asim the Poet looks to make 2022 another fruitful year filled with success. Asim the Poet is an award-nominated spoken word artist and FLO Poet. He is a creative workshop facilitator and motivational speaker, and the author of ‘Yours Sincerely, Asim’. Written by: Liam Spencer
A Dream Turned Reality: The Story of Hayati Open Mic
Over the last few years, we’ve witnessed the poetry scene grow and blossom into something truly remarkable, with a great number of event initiatives being established across London, presenting poets from all over the city with a platform to share their truth on. Needless to say, London’s poetry scene is booming, and with endeavours like Sky Art’s ‘Life and Rhymes’ hosted by renowned poet, Benjamin Zepeniah, thrusting the spotlight onto some of the scene’s finest, it’s only right that we take a moment to embrace how bright the future looks for the poetry scene. Having said that, London isn’t the only home for poetry in the UK, and it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge one of the most promising initiatives outside of the capital, just over 100 miles away in the city of Birmingham: Hayati Open Mic; a brand new enterprise founded in 2020 by author of ‘The World is Your Masjid’ and ‘Birmingham Boy’, Kate Rafiq. After what she deems “an epic flu induced dream”, and concluding that there was something missing from Birmingham’s poetry scene, Kate decided to make Hayati a reality, taking what she had been inspired with in her sleep and turning it into safe space for poets across the West Midlands, all the while maintaining an Islamic ethos in order to create a spiritually welcoming space for Muslim artists. Hayati held their first ever event in February 2020 at the Ort Gallery and it was a tremendous success, but unfortunately for Kate and the team, merely weeks removed from the event, the Coronavirus pandemic brought the world to a standstill, and threatened to derail Hayati’s momentum for good. Rather than throw in the towel and call it a day, Kate and Ort’s Artistic Director, Josie, came up with a way to keep things rolling throughout the pandemic, launching Zoom Hayati Nights where poets around the world could share their words, and due to Ort’s funding, be paid for it. In late 2021, nearly two years after the first ever Hayati event, Kate and the team were finally able to host their second event with some of the scene’s most gifted poets, including Asim the Poet, Hafsa Rehman, and author of the poetry collection, ‘Mute Men’, Kamil Mahmood, performing on the night. Now, with 2022 around the corner, two successful live events under its belt, and several transatlantic Zoom meets, Hayati Open Mic could very well be on its way to becoming one of the West Midland’s most prominent spoken word nights.
Four Poetry Collections Every Poet Should Own
We have gathered four poetry collections by four exceptional poets that you should know about and dive into next year. 4. Helium Rudy Francisco’s ‘Helium’ is what all poetry collections aspire to be: memorable. Somehow, Rudy’s anthology manages to be thought provoking, resonant, occasionally funny, and incredibly honest. The award-winning poet skilfully addresses an array of relatable themes, including self-esteem, mental health, love, and trauma, with an artistic flair that compliments each poem delightfully. Francisco’s stunning use of metaphor is both majestic and admirable, and will have readers returning to select poems with hope of discovering new meaning with each individual read through. 3. Heterogeneous Anthony Anaxagorou’s ‘Heterogeneous’ is quite literally the literary embodiment of a powerhouse poetry collection. The 224-page anthology features poetry from the eminently gifted Anaxagorou on a wide array of pertinent subjects that range from politics and oppression to love and relationships. Anaxagorou combines a candid and forthright approach with a studious and eloquently artistic style to create a reading experience that lingers in the mind long after the final poem is read. 2. Medusa Wore a Weave ‘Medusa Wore a Weave’ is the debut collection from rapper and spoken word artist, Tommy A-Man Evans, and collects some of the wordsmith’s best work. Evans, known for his superb lyricism and intellectually driven wordplay, manages to adapt his work for the page in seamless fashion without compromising the integrity of his refreshingly unique and piquant style of poetry. As a result, the reader is treated to an extraordinarily well-written collection that is as much a glimpse into the author’s mind as it is a lesson in structure and storytelling. 1. Postcolonial Banter The debut anthology from Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, ‘Postcolonial Banter’, is as strikingly evocative as it is felicitous, collecting some of the 2016 Roundhouse Poetry Slam semi-finalist’s greatest work to date, such as ‘British Values’ and ‘This is Not a Humanising Poem’, along with many anthology exclusives. The author’s keen sense of purpose and altruistic motivation remains present throughout the collection, which features poetry on a variety of relevant topics including politics, oppression, and identity, and firmly establishes the writer as one of the most accomplished, and equally uncompromising, contemporary poets. Written by: Liam Spencer
Breaking Boundaries Through Spoken Word and Theatre with jodY
With another intense year coming to an end we wrap up our 2021 Flow Feature series with the magnificent writer and performance poet, jodY. With his comedic energy coupled with his free-spirited personality, we have enjoyed seeing this creative evolve over the last year both on and off the stage. With aims to break both personal and professional boundaries through his work we explore where jodY plans to take his art next. What has 2021 been like for you as a creative? 2021 has been an active year for jodY, but he never thought that he would be headlining multiple shows doing what he loved due to the pandemic. From open stages, to headlining events, to performing on the Bafta winning Sky Arts programme, Life & Rhymes, this year has been one of opportunity, growth, and development despite the global challenge we have all had to face. He began performing snippets of his play that blends spoken word with seamless acting and subtle comedy. His previews have received grand responses from all the audiences that have had the pleasure of getting to watch one of his biggest projects in the making come to life. The play is about specific memories relating to my childhood. I touch on themes such as masculinity, abuse, alcohol, and general mental health issues that aren’t spoken about as much as they should be. jodY – Poet & Creative What can you tell us about the play that you’re producing? I don’t want to rush it. I don’t believe in half-assed performances if you’re going to pay money to see me. I always think about people that sculpt ice. You can either rush it and get your 15 minutes of fame, or you can take your time delicately crafting away and people will remember you for years to come. jodY – Poet & Creative In order to make sure that what he reveals to the world through his play is worth it, jodY is working at his own pace; a trait that all creators should embrace where possible. He has been working on the project, entitled Divulge; Evolve, for over four years as he peeled back the layers of how he came to be the man he is today. Divulge; Evolve has revealed a lot about jodY’s capabilities to himself as he exposes the darkest experiences of his life in an artistic way. The semi-colon is used to support the semi-colon project that focuses on mental health. The semi-colon tattoo is used a message of solidarity against suicide, addiction, and other mental health issues. jodY – Poet & Creative Where do you want to take your craft in the upcoming future? Taking poetry to the theatre stage isn’t the only thing that jodY wants to achieve in the near future. He has grown to love the thrilling and competitive nature of slam poetry which he believes would fit his unique performance style. After making his mark within the UK poetry scene and being ready to take to the theatre stage, we have no doubt that slam poetry will bring out even more slick and comedic wordplay that we love so much. I believe I’m a great performer, and I’m a big believer in giving yourself positive words of affirmation. jodY – Poet & Creative If you’re a fan of slam poetry, then you definitely know that the US has some brilliant events featuring some of the best wordsmiths on the scene. jodY aims to go international to explore what the poetry community has to offer outside of London. He would love the opportunity to perform at The Poetry Cafe in LA and experience the Public Theatre in New York City which will allow him to connect new creatives, and develop his talents across the board. We look forward to seeing where jodY’s journey takes him in the New Year. Photographer: @souldiaries Creative director: @tannikataylor Writer: @tannikataylor Videographer: @themetaphorest
Are We Witnessing the Resurgence of the UK’s Battle Rap Scene?
It’s no secret that UK battle rap isn’t quite what it used to be. Long gone are the days of Don’t Flop classics pitting the UK’s finest against the finest American talent from “across the pond”. A time that gave us all so many memorable moments and epic clashes including Shotty Horroh vs. Arsonal, Tony D vs. Chilla Jones and Charlie Clips vs. Quill. Needless to say, we are a far-cry from that prodigious time in UK battle rap, but could we finally be witnessing a long-awaited change and resurgence for the scene? Across the last 24 months, in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, UK battle rap has seen a drastic change, a revitalisation if you will, with battle rap legends like Tony D and Shotty Horroh exiting retirement and returning to stages across London and Manchester to reintroduce audiences to an unmatched level of quality that has been sorely missed, while newcomers like spoken word artist MOAK and Georgie Roots have taken to the stage and quickly risen up the ranks after several very impressive displays. In all fairness, it seems more than reasonable to say that the UK battle rap scene is in the best state it’s been in for a very long time, as newer battle rap leagues such as Premier Battles and No Loose Chat have proven over the last year, putting together exciting event after exciting event, reminding fans that it isn’t only the Americans that can wow audiences with mind-bending wordplay and awe-inspiring lyricism, not to mention an aptitude for crafting incredibly layered stories that blur the line between reality and fiction. And while Smack’s Ultimate Rap League in the United States remains the standard for world battle rap with the absolute best battle rappers on the planet performing under the URL banner, there’s no denying that the resurgence of the UK’s battle rap scene is not only greatly welcomed, it is also incredibly restorative, allowing battle rap fans to once again rejoice over potential international dream matches that have, for so long, seemed impossible. As we look towards the year 2022, fantasy booking battle match-ups we thought we could only dream of seeing, the UK battle rap scene is unquestionably thriving, generating levels of buzz and anticipation only seen during Don’t Flop’s glory days. So, who knows, maybe this is the year we get to see multi-time Champion of the Year, Geechi Gotti, clash with, arguably, the UK’s greatest battle rapper, Shotty Horroh, or see wordplay enthusiast and lyrical genius Tony D step into the battle rap arena against, quite possibly, the best puncher in the game, Rum Nitty. Of course, this is indeed wishful thinking on my behalf, as politics have in the past derailed plans for international dream matches on British soil (Shotty Horroh and Tay Roc being a fine example of such unfortunate circumstances), but with UK battle rap exiting obscurity and beginning it’s highly-anticipated ascent towards greatness (again), there’s no telling what the future has in store for this incredible art form. Written by: Liam Spencer