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'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

#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...!!!!!

Olulu on City Lace NTA 2 talking about Spoken Word Poetry in Nigeria

Spoken Word is a revival of an ancient African art form. 

It is words spoken with a rhythm not necessarily a beat and 

not necessarily rhyming. 

Spoken word has a through line, it is soulful, it can be fun and 

beautiful and definitely requires skill.

It is often compared to poetry.

Spoken Word Poetry is when emotions find thought and thoughts 

find words. 

#WarOfWords2 Whispers by Moses Ukam aka Youngflashy

Whispers by Moses Ukam aka Youngflashy

Hidden urge of secret identity discharged
Dripping like grandmothers licking roof. 
Resistance stabbed to bleed with two fingers poked into his nose to stop its breath,
Dis-countenance let rooms to gossip tenants,
Enthusiasm strangled by excuses,
Motivation slowly slaughtered by greed.
Pain caught in the act,
oh what have I done? It asked!
But later it said,
I was only doing my job to remind you,
you're still alive.

Incessantly enslaved by our orgasm 
Colonised by our itch-ness and tickles,
You never can tell when this virus has taken Over you like overdosed drugs
Can be lethal, you know? 
Trust me am the world strongest device in
Word created to oppose all words before or Next to me,
never to be a subject nor nether to my brother YES,my name is NO! 
See I live right in you but you don't use Me,
from the list you don't pay attention you're a debtor so you owe me. 
Yes! You're guilty am seeing you,
stop looking Around,
stop searching for a no me, I don't Exist, 
more like abstract am your
mindset on hind sight.

You can't find me in the corridors of
Power,not on newspaper or even in Grandmother soup pot.
See,you refused me in your hair Style, assent, smell, smiles, skin colour,
you're disgusting lie in disguise of truth. 
With just a tap from behind 
your thought went one step backward feeling the Irresistible smooth,soft and sweet 
Touches of my brother
YES I will instead of YES I do!. 
With such healthy procrastination 
Your truth loss weight to
Common sin instead of common sense.
Am not begging you but break up your Relationship with stagnant 
get divorce and Marry me cause am the right instinct for you
My name is CHANGE!,

I live in the street of your decisions,
I can't wait for you cause time is jealous.
My girlfriend nigeria cry all night begging to Return to my arms,
Locked up in the cage of
Freedom it's dangerous
Dating un-repentance just to
Keep your bed warm,madness! 
You know how much you need to
Get away with this repeating steps but yourself unforgiving wouldn't let you,
Gushing through the eyes of your thought, 
when will you loss grip on comfort for once? 
Watching pleasure laid in the coffin to be buried,
Remorseful goose bumps sparks
With had I known common
On the lips of your mind,
Compendium of dreams thwarted just to Rebuffed a drop of buzz.
See I am you!
Discover me cause am right within,
The change you seek,
It's an outfit, wear it!.

Check out the video here

#WarOfWords2 Whispers by Moses Ukam aka Youngflashy

http://youtu.be/15EYX0uZ9Ac

How to Win a Poetry Slam Competition.

How to Win a Poetry Slam

Poetry slams gained national prominence in the 1990s after originating in the mid-1980s at Chicago's Get Me High Lounge, USA. 

These contests, driven by judges and audience members, pit wordsmiths against each other in a competitive round of performance poetry. 

Poetry slams are boisterous events that sometimes incorporate elements of hip-hop rhythms and themes into the performances. 

Try these tips to win a poetry slam.

Instructions

1. • 
     
   • Perform like you mean it. Poets and poems bursting with vitality, anger and other strong emotions win high scores at poetry slams. A subdued or shaky performance won't cut it with slam judges or audiences.
   • Set your timer. Slam poets are judged on the length as well as the content of their performance. Poems three minutes or under are given the highest scores. Longer performances are penalized by half a point, up to three points for poems over four minutes.
   • Hone your skills. Try out a variety of poems, reciting everything in your arsenal, from confessional pieces and political commentary to angry rants and risqué humor. Give plenty of readings before participating in your first slam.
   • Engage your audience. Poetry slam audiences critique poets during the performance, not after. Heckling, foot stomping and booing are common if a poet is deemed unsatisfactory by the audience. If you handle hecklers with a witty phrase or comeback, you may win back the audience.
   • Make lots of friends in the poetry slam world. Get to know slam organizers and judges, and bring lots of your own friends to poetry slams. The more fans you have, the better chance you have of winning a slam, since the contests are based on audience and judge approval.
   
   

   Tips & Warnings

   • Do use poems that address oppression. Angry or socially conscious poems are popular at many poetry slams.
   • Don't use props or costumes at a poetry slam. They are forbidden by slam rules.

   
   
   Source:
   
   
   http://www.ehow.com/how_2060270_win-poetry-slam.html
   
   

Tribute to sage "my hero" by Rage

Tribute to sage "my hero" 

by "Rage"

You are my Hero ..

You are the "He" who knows.. 

the "Sea" ....

The "Symbol".. 

He speaks..

The wind "Blows"...

Minds "blow"..

but Mine..

"Explodes"..

SAGE...you are my Hero..

And everyday I dream..

To be like my Master "Sage"...

My Master "Says"..

"Son, work hard...Dream free...

And remember to bring the energy".

I say....."Dad" ..

All I need you have already given me..

Coz...

If today will be my last on this stage..

Then I will give my best..

"My homepage"

You dream of love ..

But I dream to be blind..

Not to C sin... but to B Seen..

To C...to B in XtaC..like the C...

now u C....

To truly love is to B..

"Truly Free"

You are Free..Free of speech..

I am Bound..Bound to speak..

Speak change through words...

words my Master "Says"

my Master's "Sage" .

I only dream to be heard..

Be led by great minds.

Mine too small to be compared..

I only dream of my Hero...

The "He" who knows.. 

the "Sea" ....

The "Symbol".. 

He speaks..

The wind "Blows"..

Minds "blow"..

but mine..

"Explodes"..

Everyday i dream  

I dream of my hero..

"Sage".

And when I am freed from these chains.

I'll be on this stage.

Help me father...

For I am your son.

"RAGE"..

You are "The One" Sage 

You are ."The chosen one"

You are....

"The Spoken word"....

......A Spoken word Tribute...

Listen and Download the spoken word song, Tribute to sage "my hero" by Rage...

http://www.reverbnation.com/iamrage4/song/18912793-tribute-to-sagemy-hero

Follow rage on twitter @kanselor4life

#WarOfWords2 Be The Change You Seek by Dawhiizz-aD

Be The Change You Seek by Dawhiizz-aD

I am not here to lecture,
Neither your mind have I come to puncture;
But I will fetch from the well of experience
And not run pipe from the tank of witness.
Because my word is a mystery-
That has a history-
From where it makes a story-
That can relieve you of your misery.
So, if you will listen; you will reason.
Listen!
I’ll tell you a story, but it could flare up in you a fury.
If you are on a chair,
It will definitely rip off your hair.
I knew a man who wanted to own a fleet of cars
“I will own houses one of these days, he says.”
But we were to beg fifty naira for food, so I thought,
Is he crazy, I was lost in my thought.
The last time I saw him, he had become a crim
A public badger he had become, but what happened to the dreams he had long form.
Then I realised, it not good enough to cook words
Strive and ensure you eat those words.
To think and desire is so easy
But to do and have is what that is fuzzy.
Just like a plane, you must first run on land.
It is your fleet and pace that takes you above any ground.
Hear this!
Like a pole, first, be firm and take a stand-
Before you look ahead for another ground.
To see others listen and your words reason;
You first be what you speak and have what in others you seek
Because to make strong the weak, you must prolong your strength week
See! The feeble carry about frail hopes of change-
Because they are brittle in thoughts and don’t see beyond their kinds range
You must be robust in thoughts-to transfer your zeal to men with words
Because to require, you must first acquire.
That’s why, only a warrior tells the tale of a conquest-
And same can lead a nation on another quest.
You don’t fetch from a dry well-
Or cars run on an empty tank.
You must first be filled to fill,
Different to make a difference,
Be big to trample,
And have to give.
Because, only from the bank of alter-
The world can withdraw and deposit.
Be what the world seek- that’s a clue
And from you-they will take their cue

Change!!!

Check out the video via this link

#WarOfWords2 Be The Change You Seek by Dawhiizz-aD

http://youtu.be/_n8h5S8LN-I

#WarOfWords2 Be the change u seek by Rage.

Be the change u seek by Rage.

Enough is Enough..
If it is true love.. then u say it to my face.Cos all I need is one love.. Tuface .
Just the other day I saw on CNN, I hide face..
CHIDI was d violence..
so Lloyd used d mace..
u say one word.
I say change..
I am not afraid..
Don't u know.. I am "rage"..
I may be deranged ; but I still wage.. wage wars..
war of words.
I am not the spoken word.
I only speak change through words... Time we sheathe our swords , guns,  bombs and be born, reborn, buildings true bonds of freedom.
We all are freeborn.
U maybe young, lazy..
But u cannot be forever young ..Jay z
still chasing wrong..since history..
Posterity will never seize to judge us.. until we stop and change course:
"off course"..
I have a dream..
I dream to live..
I dream to live my dream.
to be king: "Martin Luther"
King without a crown..
crown him king we deed ..Indeed..
for our sufferings;
offering even his on life..
life less he now is but less life we even shall be should we not rise and speak.
If u speak change,
then u must bring change..
If u want change ..
then u must change..
Do not change yourself,
Be "Change" itself..
Rise up and speak..
Be the change u seek..
Still raging , still waging wars
"war of words"
I am still "Rage"..

Check out the video via this link

#WarOfWords2 Be the change u seek by i am Rage.

http://youtu.be/mlRArVdRYSs

#WarOfWords2 Be The Change You Seek by Kruseaphix

Ol boy, this guy fast o.
Hmm, probably a disguised rapper :).
But I like.
Deep words, 
Plenty action, 
And it gets better and better.


Be The Change You Seek by Kruseaphix 

Change!
That which is demanded and received when one has first given above that which is expected of him. 
Which implies that for me to seek or expect change, 
I must first have implanted seeds beyond my expected range.
Lest my request sounds silly like; walking to the cashing point at a mall, with a full trolley, 
give him nothing and say to the cashier you owe me a twenty.
That's how silly we sound when we sit back with folded arms 
and say the level of corruption is on the rise when it ought to be climbing down.
Ever wondered what the problem truly is with this country? 
Well let me spare you your misery and unravel the mystery, 
I present to you the answer; its me! 
As well as you!.
For a house is said to be dirty only when its occupants are; 
or isn't that why we refer to politics as a dirty game only because some of its players were?
The people make the nation. 
So if you're aiming at changing a situation without your arrow pointing at the population, 
you'll end up like a foolish chemist who desires a different reaction 
while his initial reactant remains unchanged; 
what a foolish expectation.
Haven't you heard that he who's unfaithful in little is unfaithful in much? 
And as such, you're hypocrite if you criticize the president 
when you can't effectively preside over those of your own residence.
Our society is experiencing a moral decadence due to the irresponsibility of those who were meant to have preeminence as now, 
 most parents are only concerned with their kids looking good than being good so in their eyes, 
you only fall short when your skirt grows short. 
 But if you wear it long enough and keep messing around,
 its ok as long as you don't get caught.
At school, they expect you to keep passing even if you have to "sort" 
so we end up in a labor market where as well as the jobs, 
most of the qualifications are bought.
Like a heartless foe,
I have no regrets crushing on your injured toe because if you don't feel the pain,
you may never seek the pill.
I'm saying; 
If you don't feel the heat,
no matter how much sperm of motivation you receive, 
you'll never conceive change let alone deliver it.
So kindle the fire and let it burn, 
till like concave lens on myopic eyes we're equipped with a better vision
which unlocks passion 
and that is why dear Samaritan, you stopped to nurse my wounds 
when both the priest and levite saw me and passed on; 
I'm saying its the reason you'll stop to pick a piece of paper when even the janitor saw it and passed on.
I'm tired of seeing broken homes 
and single parents slugging it out on their own 
so here's my part of the solution. 
As I long as I'm a bachelor, 
I'll not go in between her thighs. 
but we know its the clapping of hands that precedes the dance.
So I wouldn't deeply kiss and let the hands feel and only when it gets to third base I'm like no please. 
But since its cyclic, we're caught in the same routine.
But really!
 How do you expect to keep digging and not go any deep in?!
Weeks later, she's faced with the dilemma of being a mother or committing murder, 
and because of our hypocritical state, 
she opts for the latter 
as everyone deems it less abominable than the former.
But if she's wise and sticks with the other wise, 
we'll end up in the maternity with more daughters and no mothers; 
a society with all sons but no fathers.
He who does not gathers scatters 
which implies that if you're not a part of the solution, 
you're definitely a part of the problem.
So the smart message sent (sms for short) is the same from nike to Niké, 
 Just do it! 
As you don't need to create a lot of buzz in other to be(e) the change you seek. 
After all in the first place, 
it was your pathogenic activities that made it sick.
Someone once said to me; 
dead men rule the world and I replied; 
its  because those who are alive have chosen to be irrelevant.
Be Relevant! And Be the change you seek!.


*None english word used*
Niké - A feminine yoruba name.

Check out the video via this link 

#WarOfWords2 Be The Change You Seek by Kruseaphix

http://youtu.be/coFDg4V1qiM

#WarOfWords2 GOOD ACTOR, BAD SCRIPT by Slimzy

Unique, inventive and nice.
She fine too :).
She just stepped it up a notch higher.
At this rate, it can only get better


GOOD ACTOR, BAD SCRIPT by Slimzy

The only thing that is constant in life is change.
That gives a bit of hope.
At least with time the dishes in Nollywood's menu might change,
Probably with the likes of Emeka Ike playing Jack Bauer in Nollywood's
version of 24
That aside.
Just the other day I overheard kids discussing.
It's almost like their beginning to see what my grandpa sees without climbing
an Iroko tree.
They had a picture of the life they wished they had.
But the paints and paper in their hand produced a picture of rage.
My ears took note of every conversation that took place in that
seemingly impossible conference room.
The design was quite worthy of note-for sure.
Drainage flowing with waters that infuse little drops of death within seconds
Pile of dirt formed a great pyramid,perfect tourist attraction.
Never before has my nose been treated to a first class hospitality.
Fragrance of heated up stink welcomed my smell organ to its humble aboard.
Poverty!
It's not just a word; it's a person.
See,
He stones my Saturdays and waste my Wednesdays
Snares my Sundays and toss my Tuesdays onto thorns
Freeze my Fridays and milk my Mondays
My Thursdays,he tears up into pieces.

But the question is,
What if you never had that jean sagging?
Maybe if you run on bare foots dirty rags all day 
Do the one zero-zero pattern of feeding
Swim in the ocean of mosquitoes and get relaxed in the spa of malaria 
Maybe just maybe you would receive sight to see the writing on the wall.
For me, It's simple!
I don't like what I see
So I
Clean up the mess that begins with me
Have a little chit-chat with myself
Arrange a proper talk show even if I'm my own audience
Never wait for the government to sign me up for some contract
Give my best to the very thing I love the most even though it's made worse
Exchange thoughts with geniuses to give life to the picture in their head.
Fact is,
The cleaner your attire, the better your chances
Quit playing the casualty and save your society.GOOD ACTOR, BAD SCRIPT.

Check out the video via the link below

GOOD ACTOR, BAD SCRIPT by Slimzy #WarOFWords2

http://youtu.be/0nlBIZAsMJs

#WarOfWords2 Winds Of Change by Yetunde George

Winds Of Change by Yetunde George

Hear us,
We are the frustration and the hunger,
The pinch in your shoe size,
The lies that you don't buy,
And the things that you can't try.
Like bloodhounds the fresh scent of blood burning flesh excites us...
The tribes of wailing distress invites us...
We are the raging fire of sea and ice...
We consume what we see for a price...
We are the vultures of men!

But My constipated mind won't let go,
Won't let loose,
These ideas of mine,
Coming slow...
Of history,
Of times,
Come and gone...

The time is near,
The hour is at hand...
And as I put my pen to paper
The ink of my tears bear me witness.
Of wars lost and won,
Of things seen and gone...
Of time and space...
Of name and grace...
To find a balance...
To find a face...

But I feel the earth shifting,
A new generation drifting,
Away from our tales of woe,
To times of old.

So the fat, rich and famous should get lost or get bossed out of the positions they held with impunity!
A new age has come and what we need is unity!
Why are you still sitting down there listening to this eulogy?!

Don't just sit there, stare and  act like you don't care,
Because I know your innermost fears!
Awaken the spirit of consciousness!
Rekindle the hope of "Nigerianness!"
For we are what we are because of who we are!
We are where we are because of how we do it!
We are the Wind of Change!

Check out the video via this link

#WarOfWords2 Winds Of Change by Yetunde George

http://youtu.be/8zXyJpndbm4