Freedom

Written by Chiedu Ifeozo | July 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Freedom » Read more…

Filed in Books » Poetry Corner

Jessica Mbangeni - Praise The Poet

Written by Prudence Chauke | July 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Jessica Mbangeni is one of South Africa’s most profound female “Imbongis” (Praise poets), who moves you when she speaks . Jessica is one of a few female poets in a cultural terrain that is mostly dominated by men. Mbangeni’s desire to plant a seed of change by using her voice through music and poetry is definitely paying off. Not only is she nationally known, but her name is making major waves internationally with her recent performance in Australia and North America.

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Filed in Books » Poetry Corner

Poems for Keeps

Written by Anita N. Eboka | May 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Oh Master » Read more…

Filed in Books » Poetry Corner

Lebo Mashile: Wordsmith Extraordinaire

Interview by Prudence Chauke | February 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

She’s not only a word smith extraordinaire, visual verbalist, and an icon of modern South African poetry, but it is Lebo Mashile’s tireless work ethic that has earned her numerous titles including published author, executive producer, actress, television presenter, life skills facilitator/speaker, independent record producer, MC and poet. In all her creative roles, it is Lebo’s sharp intellect, questioning mind and fierce sense of social exploration that drives her passion for creativity. » Read more…

Filed in Books » Poetry Corner

African Love Poems And Proverbs

Written by Prudence Chauke | February 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The African Love Poems and Proverbs is a varied collection of poems and proverbs by husband and wife Wolf and Charlotte Leslau, along side Solomon M. Skolnick the author of “Amazing Grace:The Beloved song. The book also has beautiful captivating decorations by Jeff Hill. » Read more…

Filed in Books » Koffee or tea » Poetry Corner

That Girl Died of Democracy

Written by Mwabi Murdock | January 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment

THAT GIRL DIED OF DEMOCRACY » Read more…

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Spoken Word Artist, Actor, and Motivational Speaker Omékongo

Written by Mwabi Kaira-Murdock | January 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Urban Music Award Winner Omékongo Dibinga is a spoken word artist, rapper, actor, and motivational speaker. He is the Founder & CEO of Free Your Mind Publishing. A first generation Congolese-American who was described by Nikki Giovanni as “outstanding, exciting, and new while being very old”, Omékongo writes and performs poetry in English, French and Swahili, and has occasionally used Wolof in his writings. He also co-stars in the television drama series “Ya Ma’Afrika.” » Read more…

Filed in Books » Poetry Corner

Heat, Smoke and Dust

Written by Mwabi Murdock | January 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment

HEAT, SMOKE AND DUST. » Read more…

Filed in Books » Poetry Corner

Inua “Phaze” Ellams - Word Artist

Interview by Busola Grillo | December 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Jamati: INUA? What does your name stand for?
I think you mean what my name means; it is a word in the Hausa language, whose literal transition is ‘shade’. What Can I say, I was born cool. I google-searched the name (think everyone should at some point) and found out “Inua’ is a character in Inuit mythology, the Arctic dwellers commonly known as ‘Eskiom’ believe that ‘Inua’ is the force of life, movement and change in all things. People pray to it, there is even a folk band called ‘Inua’. Now I have no idea if the name traveled up there, or down there, but both meanings are nature related, so there is gotta be a link. When I found out, I told my sister I was a god. She slapped me. Nothing like a sibling to bring you down to earth.

Jamati: Were you raised on the continent? If not, have you ever visited?
Yeap, born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, moved to Lagos, secondary schooled in Odogbolu, Ogun state before coming to the UK. I have not been back since I left, but will do so. » Read more…

Filed in Books » Poetry Corner

Bassey Ikpi

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | November 5, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Jamati: Can you tell us about your background includig your origin, childhood, education, etc.?

I was born in Ikom, Cross River State in Nigeria. My people are Yakuur from Ugepland. I left Nigeria when I was about 4 years old for Stillwater, Oklahoma. I started writing in Stillwater when I was 8 years old because it was such a culture shock for me. When I was 13 my family and I moved to Maryland (in the DC area) which was a whole other kind of culture shock. I went to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, for college but I moved to New York to start writing before I had a chance to finish school. As you can probably imagine, my Naija parents are THRILLED! » Read more…

Filed in Books » Poetry Corner

Musa Okwonga - Poet

Written by Mwabi Murdock | October 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Jamati:  What is Cultural background? » Read more…

Filed in Books » Poetry Corner