We got another lady in the house.
And she is flowing all the way from Port Harcourt. 
She said we should let her be, 
Be where? 
On stage?
On Word Up?
Well, we wish we can let you be, 
but a Spoken Word Poet has no hiding place.
We find you and let your art shine through.

#WarOfWords- Just Let Me Be by Neofloetry   

I seek to trust your every word,

words said, sounding like clashing cymbals
to my ears
When will i wake up from this trance called sleep
without seeing your shadows lurking behind
you will not let me be when i sought to be in peace

Your messages make me stay in pieces,
i, hoping to gather my parts someday
you install camera-like eyes, watching my every move......
when i eat, drink or even doing the hump?

Damn! you promised me FREEDOM, but it all seem so dumb
when just can't let me be
Complete nonsense, common sense met it's doom
when it came to dwell in the very center of your being.

Just let me be, let me be because your magnanimous governmental
abuse of power keeps raging in my mind, it makes me want to drive
my fist into your EMPTY WORDS!
May i beg to be FREE, of which i know your permission
is not really needed

You filled my head with the devils music,
playing the wierdest metallic hardcore from the deep
embers of MADNESS, Sadness, the theme of every hidden agenda, this
makes me want to ponder...

You scream JUSTICE, we shout justice!
Tell me, who is the next to DES-TROY us?
Your criminal mind is hazy but doesn't phase me

Go on and put your mind to rest
if you can't control the leaking BLACK TARPAULINS
that you set up for PROTECTION

JUST LET ME BE, let me be, because
Your gray strands seem to tell the whole story
but you pressed on, wanting
to remove the the logs in our eyes
Whose eyes? mine? yours? theirs? tell me

How far can you go on scrutinizing, causing unacceptable
destruction...a black heart in a black house?
with billions of voices moving in accord as of the waves
of the deepest seas

Can you stop these voices from playing in your head
as the next GBONO song? i think not, because
I am black, you are black, they are black
the world is dark but your hue, i mean, your chrome
is mono, get some colors

You tell us your VISION is TWENTY-TWENTY
How clear is that pathway you created for these eagles
preparing to fly?
JUST LET ME BREATHE, let me be.

Watch the video on this link 

#WarOfWords- Just Let Me Be by Neofloetry

http://youtu.be/HaIEctQeJ8M

#WarOfWords - AFRICA by Ikenna "Bionic" Mbah

He said his name is Bionic
I guess his style is also dynamic
Cos he is screwing words tight like a mechanic
making the ladies scream, please put a ring on it.
In short, the guy dey yarn.

War Of Words - AFRICA by Ikenna "Bionic" Mbah

Why is it as Andrew, we seek ablactation from outside of Africa?
Like a babe in the woods, I'm bitterly blessed by Africa
Cadence, my Coal City crafted Africa
I "Deebo" the mic, the deed broke dreams for Africa 
Estray can't eschew to estivate in East Africa
I face out! I forever fly in the face of Africa
This gabfest gangster gaff, we're going gaga in Africa
Hackles raised, habitude crazed, harken to Africa
Immortal inertia in Africa
Justifies hope for a James Bond-type jerk for Africa
Killed for the moment but Keyser Sose became Africa
We live forever a day/Lackaday! Lackadaisical Africa
Mindboggling, my words e humble/I be African
Nouns, naissances, none nearly African
Obtest to God, this ode be a good omen for Africa
Parasite to parvenu, put peace first in Africa
Quarantine minds/Radial radical race to the sanitarium
Some speak in tandem, yet taciturn
Uhuru by any means, like some unbeknownst con
Vandal-turned-voice, vocation or avocation
Words waddling out, exit man
A yes-man yielding to what's-in than wisdom
Africa zealotry zany but like Zoro, we mask it
From zero to zenith, like Zaccheus; we're in it to win it.

Word meanings
1: Deebo_Inspired by the character from Ice Cube's ''Friday'' movies. Originally means to steal something.
2: Uhuru_Swahili for ''Freedom''.


Watch the video via this link 

#WarOfWords - AFRICA by Bionic

http://youtu.be/nKSLbWfzqAw

#WarOfWords- The Isolated Mind by Uzbek

Someone once said, "words are the tools that separate us from fools."
Words are really tools, 
even though poets are not the tool makers,
but poets are tool users,
and our tools have got skill, style and staying power.
The isolated mind by Uzbek is the 6th entry so far, and men, 
I feel this guy no be small.
Hmmm, the power of words,
so powerful, it cuts deeper than a sword.

#WarOfWords- The Isolated Mind

by 

Uzbek

I've been dwelling on the wagon

often intoxicated by red rum spelt backwards (red rum spelt backwards=murder)

See, he was a son of the gun,

so it shouldn't be surprising if you heard he was always on the run

trying to beat the lightening & bolt cos they say life is a race

all for the desire to reach for his amazing grace.

Sometimes, a brother's ego could be his downfall

this continues to question, what do i write for? 

is it for the truth, the cause or the pride? for within the pride lies the prejudice

Like am the jury, am i to prejudge this????

When the truth is handled like a knife; i guess it's not hard to stab with it

i even play poker-faced to pretend it's not happening to me

Because my whole life is like a complex sentence, it gives you labial factor

so it's hard to pronounce my innocence; for it clutches down my vocal cord.

now am here spitting fire,

trying to move while laying on the floor, you can say i drag-on.

Like Daniel, trapped in the Lion's den.

Calling for rescue mission; this is not my residence.

and if That stitch in time doesn't save nine, i wonder what happens when it gets to ten.

***imbibing scriptures and epistles of saints in similar situations***

***many got saved by the gospel, that's the manifestation***

i tried to get on the train but it suddenly got derailed

if Jacob could wrestle with an angel to stake his claim;

then i must be so lame not to have done the same.

Life wrote me a song, with the tune embedded in my head

the fainted rhythm I project the fainted rhythm on every edge.

As I lurk deeper, it gets boring.

Wait a minute.... 

must i take my food to the roof top because i'm fed up? 

wow! that's a question for ages!

on another train of thoughts, i keep crying like a baby.

many a times, i fell victim to my own stubborn erection

guess i will just allow this gift of words pave me a lucid direction.

such is life, the race , you sprint 

losing no connection with the track till my heels get weary

should that be scary?

 Because i'm in it to win it. 

Watch the video via this link
#WarOfWords- The Isolated Mind by Uzbek

http://youtu.be/iRJuCcsZqJw

For details on how to enter for War Of Word the slam competition
go to this link
War Of Words - Slam Poetry Competition
http://wordup411.blogspot.com/2013/05/video-entries-for-war-of-words-is-now-on.html

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

#WarOfWords - Memories are strength by Momodu Ehiz

Lines this deep from a young mind, 
no wonder gold are from the deepest mines.
If I ever thought we were wasting time with poetry
and we might soon become history,
listening to this young man pour out his heart
shows poetry is all we should support on this earth.
Ok, this is not a poem
I'm just trying to say I "gbadun" this poet.
Content wise,
I will vote for him thrice :) .

Memories are strength

I may be too young 

Sitting still in this pool 

Of cold blood, tears

And flitting memories 

Of mama's first word 

But I know her death 

Wasn't because she hated me...or

Wanted to un-heavy her bones

If this words are lies

Why then did I cry? As I watched her die

Her tongue became cold 

Her eyes grew so wild

But couldn't see me wishing her alive 

Her hands;

Stretched forward for a last warmth 

As she laid lifeless

In a comfy coffin more expensive 

Than her well loved wedding gown

Still, she could not say a goodbye 

Or bid a last kiss,

She could not pet me by the shoulders 

And say "son ... I love you "

Have you once with your hands 

Worked the shovels to open the grounds 

To burry the remains 

Of the one you love so deep? 

Side-by-side your cold eyes 

Unable to drop the heavy tears 

Taunting the good memories 

Out of your skull 

Has life pushed you to tears, so unfair?

And your have not even a voice

To howl your grieve

Or ears to listen to your heart beats

It's like the whispers of Daffodils 

On your window sill 

After a heavy storm

It's like the first well spiced meal 

Of a newly wedded queen 

For her long awaited groom 

It's like the boost of an urchin 

Saying "I can move on" 

Have you pondered your mind? 

Why gold is from the deepest mires? 

Crude oil from the darkest pits 

Lovely poems from terrible scenes 

Love songs from broken hearts 

Luxuries from breaking rocks 

Peace from war 

Grieve from joy 

Solution from confusions 

Predictions from illusions

Mystifications from explanations 

Have you?

If yes, then you know why 

On this forlorn earth of hatred and all 

My lines would go so deep your soul 

Like the tears of a lonely orphan 

Picking waterside pebbles 

To pluck down the heavens 

From its wide reign

Then you would know why 

Even the darkest of cloud 

Or the deadliest venoms of western hurricane

Can't stop that you 

When you really want to breakout from those clouds 

And know you can go in

For a winning again 

Cos the word smiles 

But only when you smile

by 

Momodu Ehiz

Watch the video via this link:

#WarOfWords- Memories are Strength

http://youtu.be/BwBO1dmF5uk

http://youtu.be/BwBO1dmF5uk

#WarOfWords - Peace be Steel by Emeka Otoba

I know this guy to be quiet and shy, but the concept of this video means he has got some creative juice in him that is yet to be fully tapped, (well no special effects, its just simple and different from all the others). 
Thus, I present the latest video submission for the War Of Word (Slam Poetry Competition), Peace be steel. 
Hmm, peace be steel, peace be steal, peace be still,....this is just me playing with words.
So as per my opinion, well, me likey likey :) 

#WarOfWords - Peace be Steel 

Let's burn this place to the ground

The city of kings, thriving and living in sin, let's

Take this wheel, and make mincemeat of this free will 

And hope this plea for peace takes in 

And births a war and strife within

Our hearts and since we plead for things that eventually will

Kill the peace within

I see we'll be

Dead men before our dreams begin

Let's fight this war to the last

Before the descent of a city made in the clouds

We've heard the voices of a newborn cry

But liked the sound of our patriots die, let's

Let heroes lead and cowards flee, let guns and steel 

Bring victory and children sleep in harmony, let's 

Be all that we, can ever be

For the darkness flees and dawn begins

And nothing soothes like the morning breeze

In a land of peace, from the war of kings

So to him who leads, I leave this will

Take this steel and bring us peace!

by 

Emeka Otoba

Watch the Video here

#WarOfWords - Peace be Steel by Emeka Otoba

http://youtu.be/1839tIPGmA8

http://youtu.be/1839tIPGmA8

Word Up Volume 4 (a poem by Arch Angel)

People gathered from far and near,

Different complexions,dark and fair.

Words were spoken,words were heard,

Some spoke of stressful times of the living,
some spoke of the peace of the dead.

And when shadows asked who called to their soul,

Resounding applause replied,"Word Up Volume 4".

Strings were strummed,sambas were beaten,

Soulful voices rose high, like prayers to heaven.

Poems and songs calmed the troubled heart,

Poems and songs enlightened minds,
showing the true path.

And when Angels asked who called to their soul,

Shadows replied,"Word Up Volume 4".

Now I hear growling murmurs behind me on the line,

I'm sure they don't know that here,there's no limit of time.

So I look into the eyes of the Angel before me,

Wondering why he's telling me this long story,

And I ask him,"What's the criteria for the destination of my soul ?"

Then he replied, "simple,were you at Word Up Volume 4 ?"

by Arch Angel

Chill and Relax tagged June Funk comes up June 9, 2013

Chill and Relax : June Funk

This is a Performance Poetry and Spoken Word open mic event where everyone and anyone can step up and rock the mic. 

Date is June 9, 2013 (2nd Sunday of the month)

Time is 3pm

Venue is 16,  Abeni close,  ASA Estate, off Ayodele Okeowo street, after Deeper Life church, Soluyi Gbagada, Lagos

Featuring Lagos Finest Poets.

#WarOfWords - The girl from the slum by Kemistry

Now I love this entry, you want to know why? Well, she is bold, hot, and flows well. 
Yeah, that's right, we have got a female poet in the house, and she is gunning for the crown.

#WarOfWords - The girl from the slum by Kemistry

There is nothing new about being a slave of hunger
But the of its existence is the thing I ponder
I've had my hands fold
My heart cold against my bone
I've reached for height to stand
But still drop in fear of having failure for result

Do you know the tale of my yesterday's death?
Never...
For the pains in stones that raped my heart are beyond thought 
Have you ever met life when naked with fears of evil painted in its eyes?
That's the ballad of my death
When I still can't figure out a dream of being human
But only sorrow to wet my vein
And pursue one dream of stealing my mother's tears

Under my roof
When it rains, I have my bucket on my chest
No brain to think of tea
Damn the mind set of warmth
When every step taken in finding a better sleep

Makes you want to feel guilty of being born

I've plucked my eyeballs with the help of tears before
I crawled along life's speed
Knowing nowhere to heed
In silence of soreness, I selfishly enjoyed my loop
Stepping on different hooks

I carried the whole world rock
Shattering in heart
Tattered In soul


Scattered in mind
In search of hope

Dead hope?
The on e that create in heart a deep hole
My pains I tried to fold
There she goes
To the heart of the rain with her load
Even when rain turns snow
Let sky break down brick after brick
I'll never grow sick
For I've died thousand times
Again rise
So my birth become a song in full lyrics

Now I stand firm like a mountain
I soar higher than the peak of birds in the sky
I striped failure naked
For I want to be the head
I am failure worst nightmare

I'm the mountain, 
am the rain, 
am the wind,
I'm the sun
I'm the sky that birth them all
Failure is the greatest thing I lack
I'm the girl beyond imagination
Indefinable, I am
The hotness in fire is me
Come thunders, come tempest
All of it I will throw to my t'aichi
My vein no longer grow phobia for fear
For I've climbed mountains
To the greatest height
I've walked darkness in search of light
I've lost diamond in battle for might
Now I've grown
And I know
The fear of failure begins the birth of life.

Watch the video here 

#WarOfWords - The Girl from the slum by Kemistry

http://youtu.be/H_BmyK92dsk

To enter for War Of Words (Slam Poetry Competition), go to this link for the information, terms and conditions

http://wordup411.blogspot.com/2013/05/video-entries-for-war-of-words-is-now-on.html

#WarOfWords - When people speak by Dare Dan

This is another entry for WAR OF WORDS (Slam Poetry Competition)

Have you noticed?
When people speak

it is like democracy
like the 300 Spartan soldiers against the Persians
like Nigeria government stepping down on oil subsidy
it is like Abraham Lincoln's bill on black Americans
like Mandella's fight during the apartheid 

when people speak, it is like peace

it is like sky scrapping
like Martin Luther King on 'I have a dream'
it is like a pave to the gates of righteousness
like Chinue Achebe on 'There Was A Country'
like Communism, Marxism, like a Gospel

when people speak, it is like a win

like healing, like freedom from shackles
it is like a beauty 
like the comeback of odysseus in odyssey
it is like the parting of the red sea
and the rising of the sun at dawn

when people speak, 
it is like a child getting what he wants

like a story...No not just a story but like a history ending in comedy
like a facelift to the downtrodden
like Anikulapo Kuti in Kalakuta shrine
is like having death in your pouch
like a rapture, like an end to a torture

when people speak, 
it is like smoothness on a 4 wheel
like painless piercing on a skin
it is like a course on the route of love
like water filling spaces
and movement in one direction

it is like God on the podium
like Churchill on 'finest hour' over the Nazis
like a war of words on the stage of 'word up'
like a baby saying 'mama' for the first time
like a dumb gaining a voice

when people speak, 
it is like Mohammed Ali in the ring
like Tiger woods' addressing a ball on a tee
Micheal Jordan on a dunk
and the Williams sisters on tennis
it is being in this world to win.

Watch the video here

War Of Words Video entry by Dare Dan

http://youtu.be/k9uTzyDpEJ0