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
Tag Archives: Spoken Word
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
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
Finding T.M/O with T Monterisi
Our Flow Feature 2022 series continues with the superb T Monterisi; a creative icon that has come and conquered in more ways than we will ever know. As someone that feels like she doesn’t fit in any type of box, Monterisi shares with us the turbulent yet beautiful life that has shaped her into one of the best poets to watch out for. A woman on a mission to express unapologetically to heal and entertain, we dive into the story behind this dynamic individual and her adorable pup Beppe. Tell us about T Monterisi From hardship to growth, T Monterisi is someone that is very familiar with both concepts and has used her experiences to produce art in her own way. After losing her mother and feeling as if her world was spiraling, she went back to what she knew and loved, which was writing. What started as a way to vent turned into a way to inspire others on how to overcome their own challenges through expression. I feel like I’m now living beyond the two year period of grief after losing my mum. It feels different but very exciting. T Monterisi An advocate for acknowledging her achievements no matter how big or small has enhanced Monterisi’s thinking when it comes to her craft and how she views the world. Since bursting back on the scene she has travelled all over the UK spoken word scene performing at events such as Groove Verse, Word of Mouth, and Vagina Fest. Monterisi also had the amazing opportunity to run her own exhibition event called ‘ALL PAUL’ in collaboration with Leeds Poetry Festival. How has your writing journey progressed? Monterisi first started writing out of frustration and confusion when she was based in Italy living with family, and had no Wi-Fi. The creative isolated herself for six months to focus on getting her emotions on the page which eventually evolved into her writing with a purpose to convey the messages she wanted people to hear. I’ve been motivated a lot by my anger at the state of the world but I embrace that anger. T Monterisi Since returning to the poetry scene her writing style has adapted to fit the exceptional performances she delivers time and time again. Never one to shy away from expressing raw emotion through her work, Monterisi has the ability to captivate audiences when they feel their most vulnerable. This is what makes her work that much more relatable to the masses. She is constantly challenging herself to explore her internal roots and gain more understanding about who she is as an individual and the world she lives in. What is coming next from the great T Monterisi? With an extensive portfolio of features and collaborations under her belt already, we know that 2023 will be a bright year for Monterisi. We’re looking forward to her highly anticipated debut EP ‘Finding T.M/O’ produced by Charlie Boud which is due for release early next year. She describes the style of the project as paranoia inducing poetry and has given us a cheeky preview of what to expect. I’ve released ‘The Shining’ on Spotify and other streaming platforms as a teaser for the upcoming EP ‘Finding T.M/O’. T Monterisi When asked about the process behind creating ‘Finding T.M/O’, T Monterisi laid it all out on the table. Producing an EP is never a small feat but producing one that aims to expose so much of oneself can be difficult on many levels. Touching on topics such as misogyny, masking, and capitalism, the EP discusses in depth about personal hurdles that have come with expressing herself. I trigger myself heavily and in doing that I think beautiful answers are found. I don’t want it to look easy. The past five years have been unbelievably traumatic for me and I know I’m not the only one feeling it. I believe in stripping pain from its power, and for me, this project has done exactly that. T Monterisi ‘Finding T.M/O’ is set for release early next year which will be followed by a string of performances from T Monterisi across London and beyond. It is very clear that there are no limits to this artist’s ambition to become one of the best spoken word poets to grace the stage, and we are wishing her all the best with this new venture. Creative Director & Writer: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Photographer: Matty @mattys.gallery Cover Design: Simplexcity @simplexcitycc
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.
Is All Wordplay Good Wordplay?
Wordplay has rapidly become a staple in the work of many of today’s contemporary poets, with verse-makers all over the world incorporating impressive variations of double entendre and unique puns in order to elevate a piece of work to even greater heights. So, then, what is wordplay exactly? Wordplay is a literary device whereby writers employ a clever or witty approach to the meanings and arrangements of words to create imaginative schemes where a particular subject has more than one meaning. Its mode of application certainly varies from poet to poet, but there is no denying just how popular the incorporation of wordplay is to modern-day verse-makers. That said, is all wordplay good wordplay? Well, the answer to that question, as is the case with every opinion-based discussion, is it’s subjective. There are no specific parameters for determining what comprises laudable wordplay. What is considered the ideal components to one listener may be completely different to another. I guess you could say: beauty is in the ear of the beholder. Nonetheless, if wordplay is a sum of its constituent parts then it can be surmised that the more meaningful its application is, the more impactful it will be. Granted, this depends on the subject matter, since inventive wordplay is also a common product of comedic work, it stands to reason that any wordplay entry that exists in a more serious piece of poetry should be the result of some judicious or utilitarian consideration. Truthfully, wordplay is often positively received regardless of its application or the meaning (or lack thereof) that it encompasses. This is largely due to the fact that it sounds fascinating and is thereby subsequently judged to be appealing even if when broken down it makes little to no sense, and that’s because it rarely ever sounds less than alluring. But, be that as it may, wordplay has equal potential to elevate a piece of work as it does contrariwise to attenuate it. In the end, it is up to the poet to decide when and how to incorporate wordplay without risking the integrity of the piece’s intended message. 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
The Power of Healing Through Words with Kali Gld
Our 2021 Flow Feature series continues with the one and only Kali Gld. The musician, producer, and poet gave a magnificent performance at ATL’s Word On The Street’s debut open mic event earlier this year, and has so much more to come as the New Year approaches. The Jamaican-born creative is determined to make her mark whilst sharing her raw truths with the world. What encouraged you to start writing? Kali started writing at the age of 12 after her mother passed away. The loss of a parent isn’t easy at a young age, but the bereavement was a significant trigger for her creative process, and over time her process of expressing through a pen evolved into a passion that has brought her to many stages across London. Although she had love for her craft, life took Kali in a different direction where she became a chef for eight years. Whilst in this line of work she still had a great passion for music and poetry which led her to study music production at London Metropolitan University. This was the first step towards her pursuing what she believed was the path that was truly meant for her. My Dad was also a musician who used to sing. I performed with him once and loved the feeling that I felt. I knew that this was what I wanted to do. Kali Gld – Musician, Producer, and Poet Tell us about one piece that explains the inspirations behind your writings? My piece called Anxiety was written when I was in a delicate place in my life. Kali Gld Kali eventually came to a crossroad when it came to what she wanted to pursue in life. After being a chef for so long, it seemed like the most secure option, however her love of music and poetry wasn’t going anywhere. The more she was inspired by the life around her, the people she met along the way, and the world in general, she realised that these art forms need to be a part of her life, and took a leap of faith. Kali works from a place of healing. When people listen to her music, she wants them to feel a sense of progress; a sense of power. She is an advocate for overcoming hardship by doing the things you love the most where possible, and we couldn’t agree more. What are you currently working on? Music has been Kali’s main focus recently. She hasn’t been working on poetry as much, but alongside studying music production, she is now working on her debut EP. The project titled ICU (Intensive Care Unit) draws upon her experiences this year between April and July. All the lyrics for this project were written during that period of time, and now I’m working on the music side of things. Kali Gld – Musician, Producer, and Poet Tapping into our life experiences is something that many creatives do and use to produce some of their best work. The same goes for Kali Gld. Despite her personal experiences, music and poetry has been arts that have allowed her to discover her own way to deal with those experiences. It’s safe to say that Kali Gld’s new project is going to be one of a kind just like her, and we can’t wait to hear what this great talent has coming in 2022. Keep up with her journey on socials via: @kaligld_ Photographer: @souldiaries Creative director: @tannikataylor Writer: @tannikataylor