Our website is now up and running...!!!!!

Hallos, 

Our website is now up and running at 

http://wordup411ng.com/

Word Up 411 is the first entertainment website with core focus on Poetry. 

So if you have literary and poetry event(s) you would want showcased to the world, then holla us and we will make sure the world sees it.

Does that mean we will close down the blog??? 

Nah, we will operate them both. 

But all the major information and articles you need would be on the website, while the blog will point you in the direction to go as well as providing ancillary services.

You are in for exciting times as we are set to take Spoken Word Poetry to the zenith in Nigeria and beyond. Are you ready?

Then go to http://wordup411ng.com/ like, comment and share and lets make Spoken Word Poetry a vibrant industry in Nigeria and beyond. That's our dream and we fully intend to live it.

The Glo number you just dialled..!!! #WordUpVol6

Arch Angel on stage at WORD UP Volume 5 (First Anniversary Edition) 

which held on August 17, 2013 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The poem he performed is a classic. Please watch and enjoy.

Word Up, the biggest Spoken Word Poetry Platform in Nigeria comes to town again this November 2013. This edition tagged,WORD UP Volume 6 is scheduled for November 23, 2013 at Terra Kulture, V/Island, Lagos, with the theme, "Stop the violence." 

My heart, my joy, my love by Dupe Holloway

My heart, my joy, my love

It feels good to know that I am yours

Finally I know what it is to see the world through rose coloured glasses

My master the glasses are off

You knocked it off last night with a slap

But I have on my LV shades to cover the black eye you left

My abuser, I said no this morning yet you forced yourself on me

You never asked why I said no even though I never refused you before

I hope u are satisfied because I have reached the end of my rope

My darling, my light you decreed today would be our last day as man and wife

How right you are, I have served the last food I would prepare for you

Because today I become a widow for I made your egusi with Aconitum.

by Dupe Holloway

Stop the Violence...!!!!

The phrase violence against women is a technical term used to collectively refer to violent acts that are primarily or exclusively committed against women. Similar to a hate crime, which it is sometimes considered this type of violence targets a specific group with the victim's gender as a primary motive.

The United Nations General Assembly defines "violence against women" as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life." The 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women noted that this violence could be perpetrated by assailants of either gender, family members and even the "State" itself.

Worldwide governments and organizations actively work to combat violence against women through a variety of programs. A UN resolution designated 25 November as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Poem written by Seye La Poet, Olulu, Kemistry, Arch Angel, Atilola and Titilayo.

Poem was compiled/ synchronized by Atilola

Executive Producers:  Stephen Oshilaja Media Production and i2X Media Company Limited.

How to Get Started with Spoken Word Poetry.

Some Background Information

People spoke poetry long before they began to write it. Audiences have judged the poet’s performance for just as long. Spoken word poetry competitions have taken many forms in many places across the world for thousands of years. Today spoken word poetry is most commonly experienced in competitions call Poetry Slams. The first Poetry Slamwas held in 1986 in Chicago. Since then these competitions have spread throughout the world. Although spoken word poetry is performed and enjoyed in noncompetitive venues, the Slams have had a large effect on the way spoken word poetry is written and performed.

Slam poems must be performed in 3 minutes or less and the performer must read a poem he or she has written. Today, most spoken word poetry conforms to these standards. The other Slam rule is that no props or costumes may be used. This rule is not always followed outside of Slams. While some poets feel costumes and props distract from the poetry others feel they enhance the poetry and use them in performances that are strictly for entertainment purposes. Likewise, outside of Poetry Slams background music and sound effects are sometimes employed.

Do Your Research

If you haven’t experienced much spoken word poetry, you should begin with some research. Watch YouTube videos of spoken word performances, read published spoken word poems, and most importantly find spoken word performances in your area and attend them. The National Poetry Slam website (www.PoetrySlam.com) has a search feature for finding poetry slams but Google works just as well for finding poetry events in your area. Many universities host spoken word performances and spoken word poets often perform in local bars and coffee houses on open mic nights. Watch the poets. Meet the poets. Talk to the poets. The best way to learn about spoken word is to experience it.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Think of spoken word poetry as a two part project: the writing and the performance. These parts are equally important and although you might be more drawn to one than the other neither should be ignored. There is no limit on the number of poems you can write or the number of times you can perform them, so get started early and practice regularly. Information can only take you so far, skill must be built through practice. The following sections consist of tips for beginning spoken word poets to keep in mind as they start practicing.

I AM THIRSTY by Ali Baba (Word Up Volume 6 Celebrity Poet)

I AM THIRSTY

I am thirsty
For this, that, here, there, now, always
Insatiable, unsatisfied, unfulfilled, undone
I want, I crave, I need, I try, I wish
For this for that and for everything good
I am thirsty
Call me thirsty... Not Tastee

I am thirsty
For books, mags, journals, news, novels, printed matters
Knowledge, education, improvement, enhancement
I read, I cram,I scan, I edit, I grow
For now, for then and for tomorrow too
Call me thirsty... Not Tastee

I am thirsty
For love, affection, hugs, smiles, thoughts, memories,
Caring, sharing, wanting, touching, smooching, loooooving
I can, I should, I might, I will, I must
For me, for you and for them too
Call me thirsty... Not Tastee

I am thirsty
For leadership, justice, security, prosperity, accountability, peace
Executive, legislative, judiciary, individuals, organizations
I campaign, I vote, I wait, I wait, I waitoooooooooooo
For why, for what and for where!
Call me thirsty... Not Tastee

I am thirsty
For Toolz, Serena, Oprah, Aruma Oteh,
Body, brains, beauty, beliefs, behavior,
I think, I wish, I salivate, I dream, I swallow
For this, for that and for nothing
Call me thirsty... No no... Call me Mary

by
ALI BABA (King of Comedy in Nigeria)

Celebrity Poet for Word Up Volume 6 is, ALI BABA!!!!

1. 1. WORDUP ‏@WORDUP41122h

      @ALIBABAGCFR Hello sir, would u be interested in being our celebrity poet for #WordUpVol6 on November 23 at TerraKulture?

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   2. 
      

      ALIBABA AKPOROBOME.. ‏@ALIBABAGCFR14h

      @WORDUP411 WOULD BE AN HONOUR

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   3. WORDUP ‏@WORDUP41114h

      @ALIBABAGCFR wow, that would be awesome, thank u very much sir. Is there anything u would need us to put in place ? @DonFabrino @talk2duvy

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   4. 
      

      ALIBABA AKPOROBOME.. ‏@ALIBABAGCFR4h

      @WORDUP411 @DonFabrino A BAR STOOL, A GLASS, A JAR FILLED WITH WATER,... I HAVE THIS UNFINISHED POEM.... "I AM THIRSTY". YOU MAY LIKE IT

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   5. WORDUP ‏@WORDUP4113h

      @ALIBABAGCFR ok, done sir. Hope we can start shouting that the GREAT ALI BABA will be our celeb Poet #WordUpVol6 @DonFabrino @talk2duvy

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   6. 
      

      ALIBABA AKPOROBOME.. ‏@ALIBABAGCFR3h

      @WORDUP411 @DonFabrino @talk2duvy SURE

      •  Reply 
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       Hide conversation
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   7. WORDUP ‏@WORDUP4113h

      @ALIBABAGCFR thank u sir, God bless u. U're an inspiration 2me on how u help kick start d comedy industry in Nigeria @DonFabrino @talk2duvy

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#WarOfWords2 The Difference by High On Word

The Difference by High On Word

Do you know the difference between me and you

It is not that I have money and you don’t

It is not that I have properties and you don’t

The difference between me and you

Is that I’m always happy and you’re not

I’m ever thankful but you don’t

I don’t complain but you do

You want to do everything to be rich

I do what I love and do it well

I always know I’m wealthy

I respect myself, do you?

The contrast between us is that

I want to help people but you always want people to help you

The similarity that does not exist between us is the fact that

I took time to get better, sharpening my strength

You went into the farm with blunt instrument

I don’t blame people for my troubles

Do you take responsibility for yours

Giving ache your ankle

But it is health to my bones

And air for my lungs

You think that money makes rich

But it is riches that brings money

Work hard, but always create time to think

Pray hard and believe what you prayed.

Value yourself

Don’t exchange your value for food

You are bigger than your stomach

Don’t exchange it for money

You are richer than your pockets

Your possession does not describe nor define you

You describe and define them

They are, because you are

Pay less time to your stomach’s hunger

Else, you will be bound to self

Don’t you know that you are a slave to that which

You pay attention to and

A servant to that which you look up to

You are more precious than gold

You are a god

More precious than silver

You are forever

Hello my friend

The distinction between a rich man and a poor one is

Awareness and Value

That is what I heard the rich man in my             

thoughts

Say to the poor man in my imaginations

Check out the video via this link

#WarOfWords2 The Difference by High On Word

http://youtu.be/Vo3krj5Id5g

#WarOfWords2 WHEN WE REALIZE by Ehiz d poet

This guy is good, 
deep words, 
nice flow, 
and passion is clearly evident.
He narrowly missed out on being one of the 15 finalist during War Of Words saeson 1.
Will he get lucky this time?
Well, if you ask me, 
I will say, me likey likey!!!


WHEN WE REALIZE by Ehiz Momodu aka Ehiz d poet

Won't it be funny?
To wake up some day and realize that humans with hands, and untamed thoughts
Have been dancing to rhythms of rat drums hovering round a circle of untidy definitions where we are like script-less antagonist armed with bitter memories of what we thought are bigger than all we are.
So we drunk our minds in anger and distance it from love of all kinds,
Paint the eyes in raging passions and pierce it thick into the racing heart of a fellow antagonist,
And with our own hands, we drag apart the earth
And masquerade the flesh of our falling comrades
Into an act of out of existence..
Then our dreams becomes hanging..
And soon dies like untold ferry tales
Like fantasies defeated when realities strikes to the fore
Then our heads turn into a grave host of undone dreams,
Of unmade songs, of UN-fought wars
And of voices of rusty ideas echoing dirges of regrets
Maybe when flood of reality swabs out the blind folds
And stop the music of rat race and rat lanes only for us 
to realize that the clock is helplessly holding its hands at very end,
Then we turn to drink the falling remains of uncouth songs,
Dream of moon and cooling blues
Sing dead blues and pretend cool,
Smile like fools and polish our noose
And watch hooks drain our seas into private pools of few
Leaving our skins black-dead like stolen blistered fishes
Maybe then we would cheap trade our every word
To buy incantations as the only way to travel peace down our dreams...
At least they would make one smile-and fold reality under the pillow to another dawn,
So they keep us dreaming and build island of dreams
In every of our sleep.-at day -dusk --or young dawns
And fuck the business of reality insane,
Deadlock the brains and tangle everything there is humans can do
Into expectation of miracle rain
And set sail to propaganda camps to add volumes to the chorusing chants of corrupt dames, 
seeking change from their nebulous plans.
But the truth however is, change isn't about dreaming all day long
It isn't about being a fan of those that sing shabby songs
It is about striking the rod into the heart of rocks to escape water for thirsty throats
It is the sword that slams against ivory shields to water tongues with victory songs
It is in the hands that craft dreams into reality..
It is about you being the change you want be.

Check out the video via the link below

#WarOfWords2 WHEN WE REALIZE by Ehiz d poet

http://youtu.be/hc94TiN0-9o

Word UP Volume 6: The Preview...!!!!!