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.

PoetryIsMusicIsPoetry this Sunday November 17, 2013

PoetryIsMusicIsPoetry is part of the series of events marking the 15th edition of the Lagos Book & Art Festival. It will explore the relationship between poetry and music, through performance.

You will meet the finest ensemble of poets, who will make words sing, and musicians, who will employ language and tell stories over instrumentals.


Poets

Sage Hasson

Considered by many as Nigeria's premier spoken word poet, Sage has featured in over 400 events, both small and big, across the country. He has done about a 100 brand poems written specifically for certain organisations and products including MTN, Coca Cola, Harp, Satzenbrau, Gulder, and Unilever. He has performed at different shows including Hip Hop World Awards in 2006 and 2010, Big Brother Nigeria, Arts Alive in South Africa. Sage has recorded and released two spoken word poetry albums and written a book, Dream Maker, a fable that combines prose and poetry to interrogate the prevailing notions of success and fulfillment.

Efe Paul Azino

Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading spoken word poets, Efe Paul has been a headline performer at many of the nation’s premier performance poetry venues. Efe Paul is known for holding audiences spell-bound with his cutting edge socio-economic commentary. His collection of poetry, When the Revolution Spoke, is due out in 2014.


Wana Udobang

Wana Wana as she is popular called is a broadcaster,blogger, writer, poet, culture fanatic, 40/50s pin up obsessed, chiffon lover and truth seeker. Her audio collection of poetry, Dirty Laundry is due out in 2013.

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)

The finalists for War Of Words Season 2 are.....!!!

For this 2nd edition of War Of Words, we had a total of 22 video entries/ submission from Spoken Word Poets in different parts of Nigeria using the theme "Be The Change You Seek."  

 However, only 16 poets can be selected to compete on stage at the main event on Sunday December 15, 2013. 

So after plenty argument and disagreement, our in-house judges finally reached a consensus.  Though we must mention that picking the 16 finalists was no easy task. We know and appreciate the efforts put into all the video submissions. 

We know each poet is unique in his or her own right and trying to say a poet is better than the other can be perceived as an injustice to creativity. 

Thus, we say a big THANK YOU to all the poets who entered for the competition. 

But the rules of the competition limits us to 15 poets, but we decided to pick 16 poets (we no try??). 

The 16 finalists for the Season 2 of War Of Words -Slam Poetry Competition in no particular order, are as follows:

1. Slimzy
2. Kruseaphix
3. Mac Dave
4. Shegzrhym
5. I am Rage
6. Chika Jones aka Scribblelirian 
7. Thinkingpen
8. Prestige d WordSmith
9. Olaide Afolabi aka PoetStreet
10. High On Word
11. Atilola Ajayi
12. Yetunde George
13. Foursyte Bogani
14. J-Quill
15. Osigwe Benjamin
16. Ehiz d poet

Wild Cards (in case one of the chosen 16 poets does not show up and to be chosen as listed):

1. Chiemezie Ibe
2. Moses Ukam aka Youngflashy

(The Wild Cards will replace any of the 16 poets who don't show up 
on the day of the Slam Poetry Competition on December 15, 2013)

Thank you all.

You are cordially invited to  "War Of Words Season 2.” 

Date is Sunday December 15, 2013

Venue is The Prince of Anthony Hotel 27 Oyedele Ogunniyi St, Anthony Village, Lagos.

Time is from 2.30 pm.

Gate is Free (but do buy a WORD UP DVD at the gate to support us, and buy yourself a drink when inside).

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

      Expand
   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

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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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Poets that will be on parade at Word Up Volume 6.

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." 

The event theme is centered around the United Nation’s “International day for the elimination of violence against women.”  

Some of the best Spoken Word Poets in Nigeria that will grace the stage are: Plumbline, Torpedo, RezThaPoet, Bob Ekat, Princeps, Ivori, Chinelo Renee, Atilola, Titilayo Mabogunje, Shola Oguntoyinbo, Arch Angel , Soonest, Increase and many more.....!!!

Soul Music will be by Pure Child and Lumynos

Celebrity Poets: The King of Comedy in Nigeria, ALI BABA and YEANCAH ADAMU (Soundcity)

Watch clips of some of the poets that performed at the last event i.e. WORD UP Volume 5

I'm over 30, and I've never been to a Night Club!!!

I'm over 30, and I've never been to a Night Club.

Seriously?!!!. Some might exclaim. So? Some might ask in sarcasm. But really, I'm not asking you dear readers to react. Rather, I'm hoping that in writing, I might be able to see some reason myself, why I have refused to grow up with my generation.

Writing.

Writing has always helped me think. When issues clog my mind, and I'm trying to meander a way out, I write. When I need answers to bothering questions. I write. When I face a crossroad and need to take a decision. I write. When I'm bored, I write. I write. Sometimes, when I'm hungry, I write. Why do I write so much?

Well, I think the question I would be asking is, why don’t the whole world write as much? I believe the world would be a better place if we were all writers. There is something about writers. I think, it is almost impossible to be a writer, and be a cheat at the same time. If the whole world wrote as much, we all would be too preoccupied with expressing our thoughts into words, to have the time for so much of the mischief and misdeeds in the world today.

Imagine a robber having to write about his robbery operation. Imagine his whole gang having to write, just before they DECIDE to carry out the robbery operation. In writing, they would come to their senses, as all the hard drugs they use to psyche themselves up would have worn off, by the time they finish writing, and then they would have no strength and will to rob. Imagine this cycle goes on before every robbery operation. Your guess is as good as mine.

Imagine a moment, that a corrupt politician, just before he became corrupt, (assuming that sometime in his lifetime, he wasn't corrupt), had to write before falsifying those financial documents for his monetary gain. Imagine he had to write about a subject, like…like, like the sky for instance. Maybe a poem about the sky. As soon as he starts writing this poem, his thought would drift to the Big God that created the skies, and surely, he wouldn't have the guts to steal.

We all need to be writers. This is a proposition I'm taking to the national assembly to make into a law. I do hope though, that they would pass this proposition of mine into law.

As you may have noticed, I've drifted. That happens a lot. It doesn't bother me much, as long as im still writing and I've not completely lost my opening line of thought. So, as I was thinking, I'm over 30, and I've never been to a club. Why could this be?

…..to be continued.

By Daniel Ikekhuah aka Lion Kisser

Happy Birthday??? by Olulu

Happy Birthday??? 

Time heals???
Maybe, 
but the pain never leaves.
A phone number that can no longer be answered by the voice that owns it.
A picture is all the physical evidence left,
thus memories are all we can cherish right now.
I have asked "Why" for so long, 
but getting an answer is not guaranteed.
So all I can say is,
Sleep on my beautiful sister, continue to rest in the Lord.
Hope they are throwing a party for you today,
do enjoy yourself as the Angels sing aloud.
Happy Birthday dear.









by Olulu

No more tears by Daniel Ikekhuah.

No more tears

I feel shame when I look into the mirror;

I feel bitter to see what I’ve become.

I can’t tell my friends or family; who would believe me?

I can’t tell the police, they will only mock me.

I am that girl who people describe as little;

But you really don’t have a clue what I’ve been through.

The ones who are supposed to protect me;

End up taking advantage of me.

At sixteen I was called a pretty teen;

But daily I deal with low self-esteem.

Used and abused by the ones I look up to;

I being pushed, and might take my life if it comes to.

Marriage was supposed to be my sweet haven;

Nothing else to compare except God’s Holy Heaven.

But in the arms of the one I truly  loved;

I suffer the pain of his fist as thick as gloves.

And when he is not hitting me;

He speaks uncaring cold hearted words, stinging me.

For better fore worse was the vow I took;

But better remains oblivious,

As this journey keeps growing worse.

I am that woman next door;

We even go to the same market, in the same bus;

I am that girl in your classroom;

Who you think is being pompous in your point of view;

I am the little girl in the playground;

All by myself, ensuring no boy is around.

I yearn to tell my story

That justice would take the glory

But will you accept back in society

And not point your fingers back at me….

I beckon on you;

Come to my rescue.

Help tell my story;

That justice would take the glory.

Else I'll cry; till I have no more tears in my eyes.

by Daniel Ikekhuah

Word Up Volume 6 is scheduled for November 23, 2013 at Terra Kulture, V/Island, Lagos, with the theme, "Stop the violence." The event theme is centered around the United Nation’s “International day for the elimination of violence against women.”