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: Poetry
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
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