#WarOfWords -IN IT TO WIN by K-meks Otuya

This is not a valid video entry.
Why?
Well, He came all the way from Delta and got an automatic slot during the last WORD UP Volume 4.
There was a preview of War Of Words during WORD UP Volume 4,
and he stepped up to the mic and rocked it.
So with or without this submission,
he is already part of the poets to compete on War Of Words stage come this June 30th 2013.
Meaning?
There are just 14 slots left :).

IN IT TO WIN by K-meks Otuya

Each time I cast a gaze at the state of my fatherland
A confused countenance appears before me
It causes a sense of phobia that erupts from the mess, we stand upon
Finding its way through my knee caps and into my thighs
And gradually, settles like a digested food in my bowels
Generating an awful sensation that keeps me awake each night-Pondering and Thinking
Where did we miss the path shown to us by our fathers?
How did we get to Herod's Palace, seeking the death of Christ-Us?
From whence did we attract this destructive spell?
I asked! I thought!! I wept!!!
In my wallowing and sorrowing state
I recalled the story, as it was told in our History class
Great Compatriots who envisaged a great Nigeria
Lifting up their banners
Standing against the plague of colonialism
Dogged men who were armed to the teeth
For they were armed with Courage, Strength and Might
Fighting but for a just cause
Heroes who laid aside Greed and Selfish interests
Complementing one another
Engaging the colonial masters in constructive dialogue
Giving their all and best-They obliged
'Cos they were in it to win
Oh! Yes they won
They won in their quest for freedom
Gaining Independence from the hands of the Queen's men
Upholding the element of continuity
Teaching us the pledge
Oh! How they envisaged
A Nation where food will be available to all
A Nation whose wealth will be evenly distributed
A Nation of Peace and Tranquility
Where normalcy and decency would exude from all sectors of the economy
In these-they lived for..laboured..and died for
But right from the tombs where they lay-I hear their crys
Crying for a generation seeking direction
A Nation of people with no defined purpose for living
Burdened by these anomalies-I make this clarion call
Arise! Fellow Countrymen
The race to prominence isn't easy-No doubt
But we must Brace-Up ourselves
Holding on to the truth
Binding us together
That we are Africa's Giant
Transforming Nigeria from this pitiable state, 
to a state-of-the-Art Nation
I dare to say, If we believe truly in this
The world ain't seen nothing yet,
Cos we're in it to win.


Watch the video via this link

#WarOfWords-"IN IT TO WIN"....by K-meks Otuya

http://youtu.be/r5h6osUUTuc

Shihan performing at the workshop on The Business of Spoken Word Poetry in Lagos, Nigeria.

We promised we were going to bring him, 

and indeed we did.

We had Shihan Van Clief live in Nigeria from May 16 to 19 2013.

On May 17, 2013 

Shihan was at The Lit Cafe, 

which is on the first floor of Ozone Cinemas Building 

Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.

He gave useful tips on how to run 

The Business of Spoken Word Poetry.

Why him? 

Well, why not him? 

After all, he has been doing it for over 17 years now and that is what he lives on full time.

The video clip/ link was the poem he did at the workshop, 

and wow, 

Shihan is indeed a "great man" 

just like my friend Ndeme :).

Shihan Van Clief

           

Shihan Van Clief

Apoola (Lit Cafe Manager ) and Olulu

Don Fabrino

Shihan Van Clief

Atilola (Middle)

Seye la Poet

 

Mr. Opesan and K-Mex

More pictures after the break

Red Carpet Thingz at WORD UP Volume 4!!!!

Pictures of Poetry lovers at WORD UP Volume 4....!!!!!!

We had over 200 people that came to enjoy Word Up Volume 4 that held on May 18, 2013 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The audience was a mix of people that knew about Spoken Word Poetry and those who wondered what the fuss was all about. 

Well, the show was indeed wonderfully entertaining as you can see from the happy faces of the people at the event, and it made the people who knew nothing about Spoken Word Poetry become fans of the art.

Shihan Van Clief, our guest poet, was the icing on the cake, and his performance was so captivating and inspiring,  that when he ended, the audience yearned for more.

If you are a doubting Thomas about the happy faces, well go ahead and check out the pictures of people at the event.

Stay tuned for the red carpet and the performing poets pictures later this week. 

Duvy (elegant, delectable and lovely)

Shihan and Opeyemi Atte

Sneak Peek - WORD UP Volume 4!!!!

Shihan Van Clief on stage at WORD UP Volume 4

Cross Section of people at the event

Shihan enjoying Nigerian Poets on stage

A hint of what to expect from Shihan Van Clief at Word Up Volume 4!!!!!

I could write pages and pages about Shihan, and yet the words would not capture all what I would want to say. 

His words are so deep, and its such joy knowing we will get to enjoy this live at 

WORD UP Volume 4 

on May 18, 2013 

from 2pm 

at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. 

Don't miss it.

Meanwhile enjoy the videos below, they are just a hint of what to expect from Shihan Van Clief on Saturday at #WordUpVol4

Deep words!!!

Shihan at DPL doing a piece titled  "Family"

Supporters of WORD UP Volume 4...!!!

WORD UP Volume 4

is 

supported by 

Naij.com

LitCafe

McAtte Photography

Yada.com.ng

Nigezie

Don Fabrino

Duvy World

GT Entertainment

Maximus Media

F-FACTOR Magazine (www.f-factormag.com)

Dj Swaggz

and

many more

WORD UP Volume 4

Featuring the best of Naija A-list Spoken Word Poets such as

Plumbline, Efe Paul Azino, Atilola, Bob Ekat

Olulu, Elisheva, Dolapo, Donna K, Obii, Arch Angel,

Enigmatic Olumide and many more.

Special Performance by

SHIHAN VAN CLIEF

(the award winning

 and 

internationally renowned Spoken Word Poet)

Music by Lumynos, Kentoxygen and other Sensational Soul Singers

Emcees of the day are: Duvy and Don Fabrino

Date is May 18, 2013

Venue is Terra Kulture Hall,

Plot 1376, Tiamuyi Savage,

off Ahamdu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Doors Open from 2pm

Gate Fee:

Regular N1,000

VIP N5,000

Is spoken word, poetry or music? By Chelsea Humphries

Spoken word is often an unnoticed, underrepresented art form; is it poetry? Is it music? It's hard for the uninitiated to tell.

As novice spoken word artist Billy Ferguson puts it, spoken word can be most simply defined as "emotion meets language." Something even the most unpoetic and artistically-challenged of us can relate to.

"Spoken word is performance poetry," elaborates David Silverberg, the founder and host of the Toronto Poetry Slam. "It's not like written poetry where the reader can read at their own pace – it's poetry without knowing what's coming next."

Spoken word, then, is not constrained by literary conventions,backbeats, or rigid rhythms; it's expression in its purest, most fluid form. As such, it's incredibly powerful.

"When I write and perform spoken word," says Ferguson, "it's as though I'm able to see into myself." As an art form, he says, spoken word fosters the development of creative, philosophical, and emotional insights.

Even listening to spoken word can be a transformative experience. Just taking the time to really assess one's state of being, regardless of whether it's through one's own words or another's, allows one to experience the emotional depth and creative release that we as humans are capable of.

"Spoken word shows me that we all have a mutuality that is a part of our intrinsic human nature," says Ferguson. "We all feel love. We all feel hurt. We all feel pride. We all feel hopelessness. When we find ways to express these feelings through spoken word, it shows us that all of our emotions, thoughts, and dreams can be broken down and shared with one another. We have the ability to share these things every day."

Perhaps spoken word is what we as a society have been waiting for. Silverberg admits that spoken word is often overlooked, "especially by school boards," but nonetheless, is an accessible art form — one that "might resonate more with kids than Shakespeare."

In a world that can be as disconnected as ours, then, perhaps spoken word is what can reconnect us.

"There's a rippling effect through Toronto, USA," Silverberg says, "We get 150 people at our monthly poetry slams now." Slowly, it seems, more people are becoming interested in the art of spoken word.

When asked why, Silverberg says that spoken word represents "a truth that lots of people can relate to."

Billy Ferguson agrees: the key is honesty.

"There are a lot of moments in life that we don't want to be true," he says, "things that we would rather hide away. While it feels ‘safe' to cover these moments or feelings up, it's not healthy. Spoken word is all about digging up the inner-most parts of your being, and sending them out to the universe. Sure, we may use metaphors to describe something that's too difficult to be blunt about, but in the end the art form revolves around openness, and honesty."

Spoken word, then, appeals to our deepest, most universal needs for truth, creativity and expression. It captures the essence of what it means to be human, and also what it means to be free. As David Silverberg says, "sometimes we just need to listen to one person with a mic, not a band or a fifteen dollar book of ‘literature.'" Sometimes, we just need to return to basics, pure and unrestrained. Spoken word does that.

http://www.thestrand.ca/arts-culture/spread-the-word-1.2765481#.UGH9IrJmT0U

Shihan Van Clief talking about coming to perform at WORD UP Volume 4 this May 18, 2013 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria. The show will also feature the best of Nigerian Spoken Word Poets such as Plumbline, Efe Paul, Donna K, Atilola, Olulu, Elisheva, Lumynos, Obii, Enigmatic Olumide, Dolapo and many 

WORD UP Volume 4 preview. It comes up on May 18, 2013 at Terra Kulture, V/i, Lagos, Nigeria. It will feature Naija's A-list Spoken Word Poets, with a special performance by an Internationally renowned Spoken Word Poet. 
Music by Sensational Soul singer and emcees are Duvy and Don Fabrino.
Branding and Sponsorship Opportunities is still available.
Call +2348025070892
Or olulu4ever@gmail.com

HOW TELECOM COMPANIES CAN MAKE MONEY FROM SPOKEN WORD POETRY IN NIGERIA.

The mere fact that you are reading this means one, you believe it and two, you like money :).

Well, don't worry, I did not write this just to catch your attention. What you have here is based on years of research.

But surely you don't expect me to just disclose "trade secrets" just like that. Though if you read between the lines, you will get a good idea of what I am “trying not to write in full.” But if you don’t get it, well, that’s why I am here as a consultant, and you know that, “there is nothing free in Freetown.”

Ok, so how can telecom companies make money from Spoken Word Poetry in Nigeria?

First, what does Spoken Word Poetry and telecom companies have in common? Words!!! Whether it is written words (i.e. Texts, BBM, and Emails) or Spoken Words (i.e. phone calls and voice mails), they are words.

Two, it’s a known fact that talents are diverse, and people have aspiration as regards their talents. They want to showcase themselves on the big stage. That’s why musically inclined people who want to be a “TuFace,” “M.i ” or a “D’Banj,”  flock to a “Naija got talent” or “Project Fame.” They know after the competition there is a place, (call it industry if you like), for them to progress into.

So we looked at the model of Comedy growth in Nigeria and we created, WORD UP, the biggest Spoken Word Poetry event in Nigeria. After a couple of shows and a lot of noise, (pun intended), we have more poets than we ever can feature. Meaning, poets now have that “big stage” they crave for and also, we now need to introduce “conditions” before they can get to feature on that “big stage.”

Three, why would I want to be a Spoken Word Poet if there is no big platform to showcase my skills? Ok, we have got WORD UP (the biggest Spoken Word Poetry event in Nigeria). How do I get on WORD UP? Well, you have to cross seven rivers and climb seven mountains and bring us the head of an albino Eagle. Or pick up your phone and em………em ………..!!!!!

Four, with so many poetry writing competitions, why don’t we get to hear about the winners after the competition? And yes, there was a Performance Poetry/ Spoken Word competition last year; do you want to know what happened to the winner?

Five, how is WORD UP the biggest Spoken Word Poetry event in Nigeria? If you had people come in from Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Namibia and even UK, to feature at the event, is that big or not? Ok wait, I am still “coming” (pun intended).

If you have Shihan Van Clief and Black Ice coming in for your shows in May and August 2013 respectively, is that big or not?

For the uninitiated, you might want to ask, who is Shihan? Who is Black Ice? No, long thing, Google them, Google Def Poetry Jam, watch their videos on Youtube, and please note the number of views they have on Youtube.

Now imagine a “local, unknown boy (or girl)” sharing the stage with them. But getting on that stage is not automatic; after all, there are “no free oranges in Orange town.”

Six, enough rambling, how can telecom companies make money from Spoken Word Poetry in Nigeria? Hmm, my lips are sealed, go read between the lines, if you still don’t get it, then, call me, I am a consultant in this field, and I can assure you, we are not that many in Nigeria, and well, (rolls eyes), I still collect my fees in Naira.

But really, if you still don’t get it, let me put it this way. We have created a platform for “only the best Spoken Word Poets” to feature on. However, what qualifies a poet as been good enough to perform at WORD UP? Just like “Star,” they would need to be triple filtered and we know the drill in getting them “filtered.”

If it is still not clear to you, come talk to us, together we will set the “stairs” and add it to our platform. Hey, stop looking under the stairs that is not where the money is. The money is in “setting the stairs.”

My next two articles will be;

      1.    How Banks can make money from Spoken Word Poetry.

      2.    How FMCG can make money from Spoken Word Poetry.

Oops, that might need to wait until after May 18 2013. I’ve the biggest Spoken Word Poetry event to organize and Shihan Van Clief (the internationally renowned Spoken Word Poet) will be in town for the event.

Ciao.

By

Olumide Holloway

+2348025070892

olulu4ever@gmail.com

Why Shihan Van Clief for WORD UP Volume 4????

Along with being the 1st and only poet to have a poem named 'download of the week' on iTunes; this National Poetry Slam Champion and 3 X National Poetry Slam Finalist has been featured on a variety of media outlets including 7 appearances on 6 seasons of HBO's Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry, NBC, ESPN, Oxygen Network, Current TV, Nike Battlegrounds, Reebok, Adidas, NBA, CNN, Artisan Films' Belly DVD, Complex and Billboard Magazine, several national commercial spots, 5 National Tours including the Tony Award Winning Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry Jam International Tour and 2 Spoken Word documentaries, SP!T and the sequel to 1997s cult doc Slam Nation, Slam Planet. 

Shihan recently signed an exclusive Sponsorship deal with Sports Giant, adidas and is the current voice for The Sprite Street Mix, a radio program broadcasted in over 13 countries in Africa. 

His abilities to transcend cultural and generational boundaries have made Shihan a much sought after talent.

All the above and more not stated here, are the reasons Shihan Van Clief is our guest poet for the biggest Spoken Word Poetry in Nigeria. So come May 18 2013, Shihan will be live on stage at WORD UP Volume 4, holding at Terra Kulture Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa. Doors open at 2pm.

WATCH HIS DEF POETRY VIDEOS BELOW:

(Def Jam Poetry) Shihan - Love like

(Def Jam Poetry) Shihan - Flashy Words

(Def Poetry) Shihan - The Auction Network

WORD UP VOLUME 4 this May 18 2013 at Terra Kulture, V/i, Lagos, Nigeria from 2pm

i2X Media 

organizers of the Biggest Spoken Word Poetry Event in Naija

presents

WORD UP Volume 4

Featuring the best of Naija A-list Spoken Word Poets

such as

Plumbline, Efe Paul Azino, Atilola, Bob Ekat

Olulu, Elisheva, Dolapo, Donna K, Obii, Arch Angel,

Enigmatic Olumide, Ndukwe Onuoha, Princeps and many more.

Special Performance by

SHIHAN VAN CLIEF

(an Internationally renowned Spoken Word Poet)

Music by Lumynos, Kentoxygen and other Sensational Soul Singers

Emcees of the day are: Duvy and Don Fabrino

Date is May 18, 2013

Venue is Terra Kulture Hall,

Plot 1376, Tiamuyi Savage,

off Ahamdu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Doors Open from 2pm

Gate Fee: 

N1,000 for Regular

N5,000 for V.I.P

Stay tuned for more details on 

http://wordup411.blogspot.com/

www.f-factormagazine.com

For sponsorship and advert inquiries, 

Please call 08025070892 or send us a mail at olulu4ever@gmail.com

Watch the full preview of this event on this link

http://youtu.be/Pwi8iHeVlyM