Holloway: Performance Poetry Can Create Jobs

Performance poetry and spoken word have been identified as avenues Nigerian youths can explore to earn decent living. This was made known by Olumide Holloway, the initiator of Word-Up, Nigeria’s biggest spoken word poetry and soul music event.

Speaking with P.M.NEWS, Holloway, also known as Olulu the King, said apart from being a form of entertainment, poetry can also be used as a tool to increase literacy level, means of communication, education, information and a source of jobs. “Spoken word poetry industry will help reduce unemployment in the country, as awareness and sponsorship of the art form increases. This art form will also improve the literacy level in universities, secondary schools, and among the populace. This because a good poet needs to be able to read and write, and intellectually sound to be able to pass the message inherent his/her poetry performances to the audience,’’ he explained

Holloway, supported by his team, has been engaging in series of performance poetry and soul music events in recent times. According to him, his vision is to create a performance poetry and spoken word industry where people can earn decent living as performance poets.

Word-Up is a quarterly performance event that has so far attracted some big guns in the entertainment industry. The first edition held last year, while the last edition was held a month ago at the University of Lagos. It featured the best spoken word poets in Nigeria. They included Plumbline, Efe Paul, Donna K, Torpedo Mascaw, Olulu, Atilola, Tofarati, Erica Licht (an American), Princeps (a UK-based poet), Obii (the winner of Naija Poetry Slam), Increase (a 13 year old boy who speaks unsual words of wisdom) and a host of other poets. Soul music was provided by Lumynos, Oyinkansola, D Tone, and AjibolaAdeoya. The next edition of the event is slated for February 2013.

–Femi Ayodele