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
Category Archives: Poetry
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
We Talk Careers and Creative Healing with Maia Watkins
Exploring the people behind the talent is what we’re all about and it’s a pleasure to add the wonderful Maia Watkins to our creative roster. The actor, poet, reiki and sound practitioner has turned tragedy into triumph after suffering a brain haemorrhage in 2022. Poetry has become her healing outlet ever since and she has shared her story to inspire others that have gone through similar experiences. Before taking over poetry stages across London, Maia focused her efforts on her acting career which included theatre, TV, film, and voice over work. She realised the monologues she would recite at competitions and events sounded much like poetry, and the feedback she received from audiences confirmed it. Maia won the Triforce Promotions Monologue Slam three times which allowed her to perform at venues such as Rich Mix and Theatre Royal Stratford East. Winners would receive prizes such as acting jobs, free headshots, and agent support. Winning the Monologue Slam three times really helped launch my career in acting and performing. Whilst working with young people in schools, prisons, PRU’s and youth centres, Maia worked with a charity called CHIVA who support the health and wellbeing of young people living with HIV. The young people spoke about their experiences growing up with HIV and this was then translated into a poetry film as a therapeutic outlet to express themselves safely and to ensure their voices were heard. You can watch the short film here. Working with young people has always been a passion of mine. I’ve worked with youth from marginalised backgrounds to help create safe spaces for expression and healing. After falling seriously ill in 2022, Maia faced a long road to recovery. Her acting career was on pause and she turned towards writing affirmational poetry, learning reiki, and sound healing to aid her rehabilitation. As she went through the process of re-building her confidence, Maia began to perform at local open mic nights including our beloved Wordplay & Flow Live event in Queens Park. Last year she scooped our Best Female Spoken Word Artist award at the Wordplay Awards, and she has recently published her poetry collection, The Dressing Gown Poet: Life. Loss. Love. Her book covers themes such as gratitude, but also touches upon sensitive subjects such as violence, Grenfell, and loss. Maia turned her ‘Surviving a Brain Haemorrhage’ poem into a short poetry film with the aim of raising awareness about brain injuries and inspiring others using her own experience. Her sold-out screening at the Everyman Cinema in Maida Vale raised much needed funds and awareness for the SameYou charity. Her latest screening was at the Rapport Film Festival at the Ritzy Picturehouse in Brixton. The festival focuses on arts created by African diaspora practitioners and artists by giving them a platform to celebrate their work. You can purchase The Dressing Gown Poet: Life. Loss. Love. here and get an exclusive reading session from Maia at our upcoming Wordplay & Flow Live event on the 15th of July. To find out more about Maia’s work and screenings for Surviving a Brain Haemorrhage you can find her website here. Creative Director: Tannika Taylor Photographer: Tannika Taylor Editor: Shariar Graphic Design: Torrin Westerman
Exploring the Creative Aura of Deborah Conteh
When we talk about the aura of an individual when they enter a room we have to talk about the stunning Deborah Conteh. The creative and poet scooped our Best Spoken Word Newcomer award at last year’s Wordplay Awards with her heartfelt piece ‘I’m From’, and has been inspiring young Black girls to own their stunning aura’s too. Her entrance into the writing world started at a young age where she would write stories, however what really sparked her love for poetry was a crush on a guy that also wrote poetry. Whilst she worked on trying to impress her new love interest she found that writing poetry was an art she wanted to take seriously for herself. As she became older Deborah’s experiences as a young Black girl in school became a common theme for her later writings. I’ve also been inspired a lot by the church and my faith. Practicing dictation was a form of expression for me. By day, Deborah works in a prison delivering creative courses and teaching podcasting. Prisoners are able to get involved in arts such as photography and music whilst building a foundation for future rehabilitation. Recently the wordsmith has discovered the immense pressure that comes with writing and performing poetry at weddings. Expressing the emotion of love and romance through poetry is how Deborah fell into her craft and it is wonderful to see her tap into those themes again in a unique way for others. I would have to say one of my proudest achievements is performing at my managers wedding; that I was trusted with their special day. Deborah recently launched her new initiative, Little Girl Big Dreams, which aims to recognise the barriers that young Black girls face in society and encourage participants to explore their identity in unique ways. With a strong focus on practical and creative skill-building, Deborah has designed a series of workshops that aid in the development of self-confidence, communication, and public speaking. As part of the initiative, Deborah facilitated her sold out exhibition for 14-15 year old girls that showcased images and letters that they wrote to their younger and older selves. Held at the FirePit Art Gallery, the success of Little Girl Big Dreams shows that creativity can build culture and culture can build community. We look forward to seeing what is next for Deborah Conteh and you should feel the same. Creative Direction: Tannika Taylor Photographer: Tannika Taylor Editor: Shariar Graphic Design: Torrin Westerman
Talking Love and Poetry With Tifany Marsah
Some may say that love is a losing game but for spoken word artist Tifany Marsah, it was the door that opened her up to her love of poetry. Ending her first relationship aged 18 inspired her to write a four page letter as a release for her feelings. Inspired by genuine life experiences, culture, and self-love, Tifany has used words to express who she is and her interpretations of the world around her. Believing that she was never that good at English, Tifany is surprised that she has become the wordsmith that she is today. When she fell in love for real at the age of 19 she began to write poetry in the form of affirmations before moving on to take her art form to a new level. I used poetry as a love language for everything I couldn’t say out loud. The moment I realised poetry was God given to me is after my first break up. Tifany successfully applied for BBC’s Words First in 2021 and became a published poet when her work featured in We Are Soul’s, ILE WA, meaning home in Yoruba. Tifany was published for a second time as a part of the collective JAPA FIRE anthology: Forced Migration and The Arts. Last year she scooped the Best Spoken Word Performance award at the Wordplay Awards for her mesmerising piece, Malcoloniafised, and has been gracing new stages ever since. Besides being booked and busy, Tifany has partnered with fellow poet, Solomon Prempeh to host a one-off event dedicated to the theme of love called The Language of Roses. Her passion for poetry is evident every time she performs and it has been incredible to witness her provide a platform for others to do the same. I would love to collaborate more with other creatives. I’m really inspired by Solomon the Wizard. I think he is an amazing artist. Tifany recently headlined a new event called Double or Nothing and is focused on elevating her creative practice whilst enjoying what she loves. To keep up with her latest work and future events you can find all things poetic here. Creative Direction: Tannika Taylor Photographer: Tannika Taylor Editor: Shariar Graphic Design: Torrin Westerman
How Groove Verse Bring Live Jazz & Spoken Word To Life
With so many poetry and open mic night events blossoming in London it can be easy to think that the scene has become over-saturated. This may be the case for some but the iconic event, Groove Verse, says otherwise. Ran by organisers Henry Beckwith and James Booth, this duo has curated one of the most beautiful spaces that fuses live improvised jazz with spoken word. They have raised the bar when it comes to providing entertainment through artistic expression, and people can’t get enough. Groove Verse have been supporting both musicians and poets since their inception in 2021. Fast forward to 2023, they have sold out over 13 shows in their home venue, Toulouse Latrec, and collaborated with some of the best creatives London has to offer. The duo have found the perfect balance between improvised jazz and spoken word that has inspired many to take their art one step further. What really makes this event so special is the range of opportunities that they provide for musicians. Their diverse team include drummers, bass players, and pianists that accompany poets on stage as they recite their stories. We’re unashamedly trying to mainstream spoken word. Groove Verse’s aim is growth and music is the key to that. Henry Beckwith aka Ted Temple – Groove Verse The process behind the launch of Groove Verse was a simple one. Henry and James felt as if the art of spoken word wasn’t as appreciated as it should be. In the US, spoken word holds a higher level of popularity compared to the UK and the duo wanted to bridge that gap. Surrounded by many talented musicians, it was a no-brainer to incorporate both arts together to create an experience that people keep coming back for. To go to America and host a show would be one of the greatest things for Groove Verse. It would prove our mission to be successful and we would be representing the talent of the UK spoken word and jazz scene. James Booth – Groove Verse After a successful run of London events the Groove Verse team is looking to expand its reach to new cities whilst giving new and established musicians more opportunities to perform live. They have already taken Manchester by storm, hosting an epic event at the Band on the Wall, and they have been featured on BBC Radio Manchester for the electric energy that they’ve introduced to the city. They have plans to take to the stage in Bristol and potentially set up another space in London. Spoken word has become more widespread over recent years and Groove Verse aims to pave the way for more creatives to gain mainstream opportunities within the art through events and quality content creation for their performers. We enjoy spreading the word of spoken word by combining it with the best talent on the London jazz scene. James Booth – Groove Verse Featuring at the Farrago Festival at Brixton Jamm on the 23rd July, Groove Verse is back to doing what they do best with their live band and a great line-up of talented poets. Their previous features have included Manchester based poets Skittles, Griot Gabriel, and others such as Myndstate and Temi Spoken Word. They will be back in Toulouse Lautrec for their regular Groove Verse event on the 26th July which will be headlined by the brilliant Nego True. Four poets will compete in an audience vote for the chance to headline their next London show; a clever incentive for the spoken word artists that want to try something new. Tickets to both events are out now. Creative Director & Writer: Tannika Taylor – @tannikataylor Photographer: Seun Sontan – @seunsontana Groove Verse Team: Henry Beckwith aka Ted Temple – @tedtemple_ James Booth – @jmsbth
Catch A Vibe With VERSES Poetry
The year has been a great one so far for the London poetry scene. Events are bigger and better than ever and we had the opportunity to catch up with the trio behind London based event VERSES. Jak, Nathan, and Nash have created a wonderful space over the years that has seen many poets grace their stages across a variety of London based venues. Now they’re taking the formidable Roundhouse by storm this Summer and we had to get the inside scoop on why they love what they do. The VERSES team launched their first poetry event in 2018. What they believed would be a one off gig has now turned into one of the most popular nights for poetry lovers in London. Nathan and Jak were both youth workers at the time, with Nash working within the hospitality sector when the idea to create a safe space for people to express came over a few drinks at a local pub. As creatives, we all know a great plan can hit at any time and what started as an idea was then turned into a reality. After that first leap of faith the rest was history. Providing a safe space and a platform for creatives and poets is really important to me. We hope that VERSES has become that space. Jak – Verses Team When the pandemic hit, the momentum certainly slowed down, we had a regular night every two months and a summer special planned for 2020 and that all had to be cancelled. We were lucky enough to run two online events, platforming and showcasing over 20 poets but pursuing our efforts in an online world was tricky. We love the physical emotions and feelings of our events and that was hard to translate to a Zoom call. The biggest challenge for us is curating our line ups as there are so many amazing and talented people we want to put on! I love the quote by Adrian Mitchell that is ‘Most people ignore most poetry because most poetry ignores most people.’ – essentially the arts and spoken word need to be inclusive and accessible in order to achieve engagement and participation. Nathan – Verses Team In collaboration with The Last Word Festival, VERSES has a stellar line-up for their upcoming Roundhouse takeover on the 13th June featuring Woodzy, Caitlin O’Ryan, and Repeat Beat Poet. Staying true to their ethos of facilitating inclusive events,they will still have a number of open mic slots available on the night. This gives new and established poets and creatives a great opportunity to perform at one of the best arts venues in the city. This surely isn’t one to be missed. I started performing 10 years ago at ‘Spoken Word London’ regularly. While I don’t create much poetry now, VERSES is a place where I can facilitate the journey for others. Nash – Verses Team With the art of spoken word becoming more prominent both in London and beyond we think it’s important to shed light on the people behind the events that are helping this art grow. Jak, Nathan, and Nash fuse their quirky personalities with the joy of expression which has taken them from a one-off event to a curated event at the Roundhouse. VERSES have made a positive impact in the lives of many creatives that share their words to be heard, and we’re always here for positive vibes. We look forward to seeing what’s next for this talented trio on their VERSES journey. Be sure to follow them and see what the hype is about for yourself. Credits: Creative Director: Tannika Taylor – @tannikataylor Writer: Tannika Taylor – @tannikataylor Photographer: Seun Sontana – @seunsontana Verses Team: Jak – @jak_th Nathan – @natz1990 Nash – @nash_ldn
Words Crossing Borders with Dead Poet
Social media has bridged gaps in so many ways that have allowed creatives to build an audience from anywhere across the globe. Dead Poet, also known as Vipul, is a writer based in India that has used his social media network to spread his words and build a fan base of over 70,000 followers on Twitter. Aiming to inspire people to heal, Dead Poet found his love for writing through his love for reading, and is currently working to reach his goal of becoming a full-time writer. As someone who has always loved reading as a form of meditation, Dead Poet was encouraged to write by the writers that he loved. The art of poetry has become a foundation of his life, and he aspires to create motivational work that triggers positive emotions in his readers. Dead Poet wants to leave a legacy that so many beloved writers have achieved, and is using social media to establish his lane. Without his platforms, Dead Poet expressed that he couldn’t imagine connecting with the large audience that he has. He considers the tech evolution as a blessing that has contributed to his growth as a writer, and given him the means to connect with the masses. After taking a lengthy break from writing, the 26-year-old is now developing his debut book and has plans to travel internationally so he can finally meet some of his fans in person. Challenging himself to adapt to different writing styles, 2023 looks like a prosperous year for Dead Poet when it comes to expanding his audience. We look forward to seeing what’s next from the emerging creative in the New Year but you can keep up to date by following Dead Poet here on Twitter and Instagram.
Wordplay Awards x WAF Festival 2022
We are proud to finally announce that we will be hosting our first awards show dedicated to poetry and musical spoken word in collaboration with the Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival this Summer. The Wordplay Awards will recognise the amazing talent that has emerged from the underground poetry circuit with a wonderful line-up of spoken word poets doing what they do best. All roads lead to The Bedford on the 19th June for a night of celebration and good vibes. Last month we made a call out to all poets and musical spoken word artists for submissions that allowed us to shortlist our nominees for this special event. Not only were we blown away by the amount of poets that got involved, but we were inspired by the level of quality and wordplay delivered in different ways. We have selected our nominees for the following categories: Best Female Spoken Word Poet 2022 Best Male Spoken Word Poet 2022 Best Spoken Word Newcomer 2022 Best Spoken Word Performance 2022 Best Musical Spoken Word Project 2022 Best Poem 2022 Nominees will be announced on our website and across our social media accounts on Monday 9th May when voting opens, and you decide who takes home the award for each category on the night. Our collaboration with Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival has given us a platform to spread our wordplay and flows to a whole new audience which we can educate and inspire with our art. We look forward to coming together and making this evening one to remember. Tickets are limited and are now live on the Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival website here.