Outcasts on the Mic scooped up our Best Entertainment award last October at the Wordplay Awards after a short hiatus and has been buzzing ever since. Founded by the talented Annum Salman, we dive into the journey from concept to execution about how Outcasts on the Mic came to be. Annum discovered her love for poetry whilst studying at university in Malaysia in 2011. She began writing and performing storytelling pieces before returning back to Pakistan where she became active in their growing poetry scene through open mics and national level poetry slams. When Annum moved back to the UK to pursue her Masters degree in Creative Writing, she was inspired to publish her debut poetry collection, Sense Me, in 2019. The incredible achievement gave her the opportunity to tour the UK before returning back to Pakistan where she re-launched her book and started mentoring other poets. What began as a small idea soon became a much loved poetry night celebrated for its warmth, diversity, and sense of belonging. Returning back to the UK on a Global Talent Visa in 2022, Annum’s desire to create an inclusive space for diaspora poets and new voices birthed Outcasts on the Mic in 2023 with the support of friends and her husband. What have you achieved with Outcasts on the Mic? Being an event manager can be both a beautiful and challenging experinece. After a year of shows that filled the room, Annum and her team were finally able to start paying their featured poets. A small but meaningful step towards valuing creative labour and inviting a wider range of talent to our stage. Last year Outcasts on the Mic broke barriers by hosting London’s first poetry, music, and comedy ‘Chaand Raat’ celebration for Eid. The sold out event brought together communities in a creative space and marked the beginning of more themed nights that focus on the experiences of the global majority. What’s next for Outcasts on the Mic? When a friend forwarded Annum information about the Wordplay Awards she decided to take a chance. It wasn’t about validation but about amplifying what they do as a platform. As someone who single handedly manages logistics, planning, and marketing for Outcasts, I often miss opportunities like this; but I know the visibility would help grow the platform. 2026 has seen Outcasts on the Mic resume bi-monthly events and the launch of their writing workshop, The Writers Breakup, which aims to help emerging writers explore personal themes. Annum and the team hope to see more collaborations and secure funding to support poets interested in developing full theatre-style shows with them. Having already worked in theatre on her debut play, Ghar Ghar, Annum has realised how easily poetry lends itself to performance art. It can move, breathe, and tell stories in ways that captivate new audiences. I want to bring that same spirit to Outcasts. Outcasts on the Mic highlights hopes to bring poetry into wider community spaces and continue to spotlight the incredible voices that make Outcasts what it is. Writer: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Photographer: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Editor: Shariar Graphic Designer: Torrin Westerman @torrinwesterman
Category Archives: Flow Features
Punchlines And Protest With Destiny McCatty
The one and only Destiny McCatty stunned at last year’s Wordplay Awards with her piece Political Playground after scooping up our Best Slam Poetry Performance award. With a degree in Politics and Sociology, performing powerful, politically fuelled pieces is what Destiny has become known for in an ever growing poetry scene that encourages expression at its finest. Where did your creative journey start? Once upon a time Destiny wanted to be everything from an astronaut to a journalist. For her the possibilities were endless but her family wanted her to focus on something more grounded. It wasn’t until she attended Warwick university that she discovered her love for performing. She participated in the annual Afro-Caribbean showcase, AfroFest, reigniting her passion from drama and spoken word. Her first performance was in front of over 250 people. I loved it and the community so dearly. So much so that I did it again the following year. Her belief that people are becoming disillusioned with politics has inspired Destiny to take a creative approach towards educating the masses. Poetry has also become a great way for her to express her thoughts about themes that are important to her. Poetry serves as a way for me to vent some of my thoughts about complex topics from my communities. What are some memorable achievements? Destiny joined a collective called Black (Untitled); a group that nurtured black creative talent in Warwick where she became their Literary Arts Lead. The position allowed her to co-lead the collective to the national university poetry slam competition and win first place. We won first place beating a team that had previously won three times in a row. Following this success, Destiny was commissioned to perform at the inauguration of the upcoming Chancellor of Warwick University who also officiated her graduation. Another major achievement that showcased her increasing talent and highlighted how far modern poetry and spoken word has transitioned into different educational spaces. How did you hear about the Wordplay Awards? Destiny discovered the Wordplay Awards through previous winners and initially forwarded details to her friends so they could submit. She was met with the question as to why she wasn’t nominating herself and realised that she often understated her work. I felt that I wasn’t experienced enough nor bold enough, but this was my opportunity to put myself out there and be a part of the inspiring stories from Warwick. Destiny stepped into her poetry era through her university and it became the true catalyst for further opportunities to use her voice with a new found confidence. The creative is formally working on merging her poetry and youth advocacy strands together to elevate the voices of others as well as her own. Her focuses include education, race equality, and food justice to name a few. Destiny will also be collaborating with charitable organisations that target societal issues with the aim of raising awareness through creativity. When we asked what the future looks like for Destiny she kept it real short and sweet: More performances, more content, and more connections. Written by: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Photography: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Editor: Shariar Graphic designer: Torrin Westerman @torrinwesterman
Exploring Poetry, Music and Charity with Rayritess
Birmingham based poet and musician Rayhanah Rowe, also known as Rayritess scooped up our Best Emerging Artist award at last year’s Wordplay Awards. The achievement highlights how far Ray has come since she first graced the stage as a poet less than three years ago. With a new album on the way we look at where Rayritess has come from and where she’s heading in our latest Flow Feature. Where did the journey begin? A music lover from as long as she can remember Rayritess was raised in a strict household that limited her creative outlet. She began writing poetry at the age of 11 and continued to develop her craft as she got older. Fast forward to now, Ray is letting her creative outlet bloom in more ways than one and we love to see it. You can’t do wrong with this poetry ting! What inspires your work? Inspired by the likes of Edgar Allan Poe and Suli Breaks, Ray reflected on what it was like when she decided to pursue poetry and music on a serious level. I asked myself why I wanted to do this a few years ago and I just know it’s my purpose; my calling. Suffering from low self-esteem in the past, Rayritess didn’t have many people that she could connect with. Dedicating time to her creative ventures changed that as she slowly built an audience who recognised her growing talent. Ray has been determined to put the Birmingham creative scene on the map ever since her own journey started and one move at a time she is achieving just that. Poetry allows me to pour my heart out in a personal way. The amount of people that I’m able to touch with words is mad to me. She realised poetry was more than just people clicking their fingers. People were listening. People were resonating with her experiences for the first time. When she discovered the Wordplay Awards she instantly knew what the next step was for her; becoming an award-winning poet and musician. Winning the award for Best Emerging Artist has set a strong tone for how the musician wants to showcase her work moving forward. The focus has shifted from short form releases to more extensive projects. What’s next for Rayritess? After recently becoming a finalist for the Inspiration Youth Awards, Ray has started her own charity called Rising Levels. The charity aims to support young and homeless people to develop new habits that will help them move forward in positive ways. Her upcoming album, Born To Be Great, sheds light on the perspective that there are always two sides to a story. Not all the time opportunities are handed to you. More time you have to just take it. An advocate for pushing boundaries, Rayritess is always weaving her experiences into her creations. Her work aims to motivate people to take that leap of faith because you never know where it can take you. Through her poetry, music, and charitable causes, Rayritess is ready to make an impact and show the world why she believes she is great. If nobody is going to give me my flowers then I’ll give them to myself. Written by: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Photography: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Editor: Shariar Graphic Design: Torrin Westerman @torrinwesterman
Pressing Play With Haroon Khan
Haroon Khan took home our Best Poem 2025 award last October at the Wordplay Awards and we haven’t been able to keep up since. He has set his sights on developing as an author and poet in new ways and we have the pleasure of getting to know the creative behind the words. Where did the journey start? Listening to rap and hip-hop as a teenager sparked his interest in seeing what he could do as an artist. Aged 36, Haroon decided to pick up a pen and write with purpose. When he eventually leaned into his talents he found that there weren’t many role models from the South Asian community that he could connect with. Pressure from family encouraged him to focus on carving out a corporate career which led him to get a degree but he knew this wasn’t what he wanted long-term. Inspired by the likes of Mos Def and RZA Ahmed, Haroon still dabbled in music where he could, however after being diagnosed with ADHD and autism aged 40, his outlook on life changed and becoming the creative he’s always wanted to be was now at the forefront of his life. I see the world through a creative lens. What does poetry mean to you? Acknowledging that his brain functions in a unique way, Haroon found that writing poetry allowed him to be passionate towards himself by expressing his thoughts and feelings on the page. He believes that poetry is a good way to explore your love of language and that anything can happen from there. I give people fragments of the picture and they have the opportunity to fill in the gaps. Haroon views poetry as a gateway to a foundational art form with some of his favourite musicians setting the bar. Artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Saul Williams, Nas, and Q Tip have influenced Haroon’s approach to writing his own work. Quote: I think poetry is my calling and the most at home I’ve felt. It is rich with potential and a great way to channel emotions. What inspired your book and other ventures? Haroon’s first poetry book, Press Play, focuses on his journey as a British Pakistani man navigating aspects of life such as fatherhood and divorce. The book touches upon many themes including friendship, masculinity, and grief. With a second poetry collection and a novel in the works, Haroon is expanding his literary portfolio one publication at a time. I’m a very curious person. I know that’s a broad frame of reference. Outside of the poetry realm, Haroon has a background in journalism that has inspired him to launch his own podcast where he interviews creatives from all walks of life. Moving forward he plans to continue producing new writing work and creating regular podcasts that nurture conversations with artists like himself. Haroon has become an established poet within his community that has the ability to motivate and relate to others through his words. 2026 is looking bright and we look forward to knowing what comes next. Writer: Tannika Taylor Photographer: Tannika Taylor Editor: Shariar Graphic Designer: Torrin Westerman
The Butterfly Effect With Blessing Adetunji
We are proud to introduce the brilliant Blessing Adetunji to the Wordplay & Flow family after scooping our Best Spoken Word Performance award last October at the Wordplay Awards. The poetry power house graced the stage with her winning piece ‘Outstretched’. From writing songs as a teen to working with organisations such as Hackney Empire, Blessing has made her mark with so much more to come. Where did the journey start for you? Around the age of 14, Blessing began to feel disconnected whilst singing at church. She wanted to think about what worship meant to her and decided to start writing her own songs. They were so long and didn’t mirror what I saw in school to be poetry but they were poems. Not long after finding her own way of expression Blessing went down a rabbit hole of American spoken word and battle rap that led her to discover artists like Jackie Hill Perry; one of her biggest inspirations today. What are some of your memorable moments? Blessing has had the opportunity to work with both Hackney Empire and the Royal Court Theatre. Her experience working with these organisations helped shape the performer we see today and highlights how crucial initiatives like these can benefit creatives in different ways. Hackney Empire helped me grow as a performer and writer. Joining the Royal Court Young Writers group gave me the chance to write and shoot my first screenplay. Winning our Best Spoken Word Performance award was another significant milestone for Blessing. Not because she had just achieved something amazing as a spoken word artist, but because her winning poem touched upon her family dynamics; a topic she was always taught not to share publicly. Her poem showcased what breaking barriers looked like and it was wonderful for our audience to witness. I hadn’t performed from memory in a long time and was filled with fear and self-consciousness, but I did it anyway. That piece ended up resonating with so many people and it opened the door to where I am now. What can we look forward to in 2026? 2026 will see Blessing writing more across different areas. The poet and musician is working on both a poetry album and a musical EP which she is really excited about. In addition, Blessing recently launched her hosting platform called Blessing Occasions for events that need that added special touch. I’ve been rocking the mic in more ways than one. I’m getting more involved in MC’ing and hosting. It doesn’t stop there. We can expect a full length one woman show and more as she explores her love for theatre and film. If you haven’t already, you should check out her latest single ‘Wanted’ out now across all streaming platforms. It’s safe to say that Blessing is one to watch this year and we look forward to seeing what’s next on her journey to greatness. Writer: Tannika Taylor Photographer: Tannika Taylor Editor: Shariar Graphic Designer: Torrin Westerman
Spotlight Poetry With Ayomide Inufin
From Nigeria straight to the Wordplay & Flow stage, Ayomide is a poetry force to be reckoned with. Specialising in spotlight poetry, the writer has garnered a global audience through his rawness and authenticity. Coupled with his work within therapy, Ayomide is inspiring people to write on all levels whilst paving his own way as a poet. Where did the journey start? The curiosity to find his own voice started in school when Ayomide started watching his classmates write. By then he was already writing his own random content across all genres of literature, but had yet to find his own niche. As he wrote more he discovered his own voice and began sharing his work with the world. What achievements are you proud of? Receiving our Wordplay Award for Best Spoken Word Newcomer last year has been one of Ayomide’s first major achievements since moving to the UK from Nigeria. To be honest, I have loads of things I’ve achieved that I’m proud of but there are two that are most important on my writing journey. Back in his home country his short story was ranked among the top 40 stories of fiction in 2019. In 2020, Ayomide went on to receive the Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award; a nationwide recognised award for international writers. When the Wordplay Awards popped up on his Instagram timeline he did his research into what we do and the rest is history. I scrolled through to see what it was all about and it felt good. I saw a track record of beautiful events and decided to sign up. What’s next for you as a creative? Fast forward to 2026, Ayomide is an award winner and preparing for new heights. He and his team have some exciting projects on the way including more visual and textual spotlight poetry. Outside of his writing ventures, Ayomide will be launching a social business brand and a social networking seminar. We look forward to seeing what’s next for the creative this year. There are many more things in the design process. Anticipate! Writer: Tannika Taylor Photographer: Tannika Taylor Editor: Shariar Feature: Ayomide Inufin
Discovering The Power Of Words With Joseph Roberts
We had the pleasure of catching up with the emerging talent taking spoken word to new levels, Joseph Roberts. The literary teen has made quite the impact in London after winning Best Spoken Word Newcomer at our Wordplay Awards last year. His superb visuals and relatable words have made Joseph one of the most captivating poets the London scene has come across in a long time. The artists passion for poetry began in sixth form when he was asked to perform at an assembly. This experience gave him his first taste of performing live and he hasn’t looked back since. At the age of 16, Joseph realised he wanted to take poetry and performing seriously as a career. He began investing in his creative practice by writing more, studying the greats before him such as Suli Breaks, and networking at different open mic events. Last year, Joseph took home our Best Spoken Word Newcomer award at the Wordplay Awards and was nominated for Best Male Spoken Word Poet at this years celebrations. His incredible piece V.I.P is what first landed him on our radar and his latest release ‘Luggage’ has landed a spot on the Voices in Power Instagram page with over 100K followers. Being a Liverpool based poet penetrating the mainstream London arts scene hasn’t intimidated Joseph in any way. Over the last year his focus has been to build on his performance style and become one of the greats himself. I like to consider my style of poetry genuine, real, and accessible. Joseph Roberts Poetry is not only an emotional outlet for Joseph but a way to inspire those around him in unique ways. As he performed more often it wasn’t long before schools were contacting him to connect with students through his work. He has worked with various educational bodies including Everton school, St Bedes secondary school, St Vincent’s school for the blind, and many more. When asked what advice he would give to those that want to establish a career as a poet he said: You have to be ruthless. You have to be persistent, know who you are, and know your worth. Joseph Roberts Joseph plans to continue producing new work and securing commissions from organisations that want to engage their students and audiences through spoken word. Very confident in his abilities to excel, the creative has big ambitions for the future. I want to become a member of the Recording Academy and one day win a Grammy for spoken word. Joseph Roberts There is always something in the works when it comes to Joseph Roberts. His profound work ethic has landed him opportunities that many established poets are yet to achieve. He plans to continue recording new poetry material and release new visuals that we know are going to be a hit with audiences due to the high creative quality he produces. The artist is relentlessly working towards becoming a prominent name in the world of spoken word poetry and we’re looking forward to seeing what’s next. Creative Director/Writer: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Photographer: Seun Sontana @seunsontana Cover Design: Simplexity Creative Counsel @simplexitycc
Speaking Visions into Existence with Swvrthy
We love great conversations here at Wordplay & Flow so we had to connect with the one and only SWVrthy. Also known as Spoken With Vision, SWVthy is a London based poet who has a magical way with words and effortless one-liners that will have you laughing for days. The writer takes pride in his slick wordplay and flows that have made him a household name on the London arts and culture circuit. We unpack how it all began and where it’s heading for the brilliant SWVrthy. Involved in the arts from a young age, SWVrthy participated in community work when he was 15 years old. The organisation’s focus was to tackle knife crime and this inspired him to start writing about subjects that were most meaningful to him. Movies such as Freedom Writers along with hip-hop added to his motivation to write more and eventually take the step towards performing in front of an audience. Over time I started to unpack different memories through writing. Movies, rap, and hip-hop all encouraged me to write and rhyme. SWVrthy SWVrthy has always had a love for being on stage. He started with school plays and dance as a teenager before an injury forced him to direct his creative outlet elsewhere. Drama monologues were a favourite until he realised that it wasn’t so different from spoken word. SWVrthy produced a monologue fused with poetry for the Big Deal showcase as a part of Studio 3 Arts which was the catalyst for his development as a formidable wordsmith. Performing from a young age has helped me eliminate the fears associated with having all eyes on me. SWVrthy After a spell living out of London, SWVrthy returned in 2019 to his first headline before the pandemic hit. Once lockdown lifted he made it clear that nothing was going to stop him from being heard. He featured at as many live poetry events as possible and secured headline sets at prominent spots like Poetivity, Poetic Unity, and Luna Legacy to name a few. Describing his style of work as abstract, he let’s us know what this means to him: The beauty of my abstract work is that it is created when I’m most present. It allows me to express thoughts, beliefs, values, and emotions without restraint. SWVrthy Outside of writing and performing, SWVrthy is a passionate painter and art lover. Just like his monologues and poetry, his artistic style is abstract, leaving the viewer to make their own interpretations of what they see. This fits in perfectly with the Master Arts event that he will be launching which will combine a masterclass and exhibition for an immersive experience. The creative is also working on his debut book called ‘Poetical Violence’ which will act as a blueprint of his growth for his future generations. The book will give insight into the physical, mental, and emotional battles that SWVrthy has survived to become the artist he is today. I master peace like Pac by taking you on a journey that allows you to witness a blossom in a concrete jungle. SWVrthy Creative Director/Writer: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Photographer: Seun Sontan @seunsontana Cover Design: Simplexity Creative Counsel: @simplexitycc
Princess Latifah Talks Going Viral, Motherhood, and Poetry
Making her TV debut for BET after her debut poem, ‘Pretty For A Darkskin’ was released in 2017, Princess Latifah has made her mark as a spoken word artist to watch out for. Although her talents have been with her from a young age, the artist and mother of two has found a new perspective on what it’s like to create and to be a creative. As many poets do, Latifah has always found writing a therapeutic outlet. What started as a personal hobby eventually turned into a practice where she enjoyed writing for the world. When I needed a plaster, there was poetry. Call it poetual healing. Princess Latifah Although she still mostly writes for herself, Latifah explores different layers of life when it comes to her work. She writes to study the inner realms of her being which allows her to maintain and sustain her sense of freedom. Her writings touch upon themes such as feminism, empowerment, and the many controversies that plague todays society. When it comes to being a mother, Latifah shared that it hasn’t come without its challenges but it hasn’t stopped her from being who she’s always been. Performing has always been engrained in her personality and becoming a mother has added a new element of joy to the process. Becoming a mother added new feathers to my wings. I gained more inspiration, more passion, more love, and more perspective. Princess Latifah A helpful note that Latifah shared for those who are both mothers and performers is to not juggle, just be. Don’t force it or fight it. Creativity is actually a spiritual thing. We ourselves are a creation, and not only do we birth babies, we birth words and ideas too. Neither of these can be rushed. Creation is sacred. Princess Latifah Princess Latifah was nominated for Best Spoken Word Newcomer at our Wordplay Awards earlier this Summer for her Nicola Adams poem commissioned by BT Sport after her first ever piece ‘Pretty For A Darkskin’ went viral. These were extremely memorable moments for the poet which set her on the creative journey she’s on today. My headline set for Mind Over Matter was one to remember because I was heavily pregnant. I remember it all though. It’s all special, even being interviewed for Wordplay & Flow. Princess Latifah As the year draws to a close and a new one approaches we explored what Princess Latifah has in the works moving forward. She will be releasing her debut single; a musical spoken word piece that she wrote and recorded when she was pregnant with her daughter. It gives me all the feels. Powerful poetry, soft soulful vocals, and beautiful music. It’s the loveliest combination. Princess Latifah Without giving too much away, Latifah shared that the new track will be released in November followed by visuals she can’t wait for all to see. The track will be part of an EP released in 2024 and we have no doubt that it will be a hit among her audience and beyond. Until then, you will surely want to catch this powerhouse headlining a stage near you sooner rather than later. Watch ‘Pretty For A Darkskin’ here. Creative Director & Writer: Tannika Taylor @tanniktaylor Photographer: Seun Sontan @seunsontana Cover Design: Simplexity Creative Counsel @simplexitycc
Spencer Mason Talks Where It All Began and The Fox & The Butterfly
Our Flow Feature series continues with the incredible poet and artist, Spencer Mason. The two time Wordplay Award nominee has made a heartfelt impression on the London circuit despite calling Scotland home. Their journey as a creative has been an eventful roller coaster over the years as they draw upon personal experiences with mental health and life to produce some of the most moving musical spoken word projects that have graced our platform. Formally known as Ghoststory, Spencer flirted with spoken word for the first time through their involvement in the Ignition Project which consisted of 12 creatives from across the UK tasked with developing a show from scratch in five days. The initiative exposed them to theatre and team bonding which built on the acting experience they gained in college. They later started a band with some friends, however due to Covid, the band decided to go their separate ways Both arts were organic discoveries and I enjoyed putting them both together. Spencer Mason Spencer Mason has made a statement with his musical spoken word projects ‘These Branches’ and ‘The Fox & The Butterfly’, with the latter being unreleased but still gaining a nomination for Best Musical Spoken Word Project at this year’s Wordplay Awards. Funding by Help Musicians allowed them to rebrand and focus on delivering the music that they wanted people to hear. These Branches was the first offering of myself as Spencer Mason and not Ghoststory. Spencer Mason The Fox & The Butterfly was long in the making before the release of These Branches and we’re looking forward to the highly anticipated drop towards next month. Initially meant to be an EP, Spencer decided to do a full album that explores how different mediums of creativity can co-exist together. My fuel for creating projects is being able to get inspired by anything and everything. It’s good because I always have something to write about but it’s bad because I can go off tangent and have 12 genres on one project. Spencer Mason It will be a full circle moment when Spencer is back in London to get involved in the Ignition Project that first exposed them to the art of spoken word poetry. Their latest project, The Fox and The Butterfly will be released on the 27th October before the artist headlines Glasgow on the 29th October with an exciting line-up to be announced. Outside of the music world, Spencer will be heading to India in 2024 for a yoga qualification and some well deserved self-care. They have multiple novels in the works that link to their musical spoken word projects, and we’re sure they’ll be hitting some of the biggest stages across the UK as people are exposed to their raw, authentic talent. You can stream ‘These Branches’ now on all major platforms including YouTube and Spotify. Creative Director/Writer: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Photographer: Seun Sontan @seunsontana Cover Design: SCC @simplexitycc