By Taiwo Michael Oloyede In a dazzling display of Afro-Jazz brilliance, Kwitee, the acclaimed trumpeter and songwriter, transformed LH Prive in Ikoyi, Lagos into a haven of musical splendor. The event, aptly named ‘The Revived Concert with Kwitee and The Elites Band,’ offered an exclusive first listen to Kwitee’s upcoming album, Shadows. As a music critic, it was an evening that both delighted and impressed, showcasing the depth of Kwitee’s artistry and the vibrant potential of his new work. From the outset, the concert was steeped in an electrifying atmosphere. Kwitee’s performance was a masterclass in musical expression, blending traditional…
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Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo urged the judges to elevate literature as a catalyst for national development. With poetry in focus this year, the Nigeria Prize for Literature continues to celebrate and reward outstanding literary achievements, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing Nigeria's rich literary landscape.
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In this expository interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Muyiwa Adeola Babayomi, the gifted poet behind the collection of poems, “Arrows of Joy”. With each poem, Babayomi poetically narrates the cultural reality of life in Africa with the recurrent universal themes of love, perseverance, and the spiritual journey. We talked about the origins of Arrows of Joy, discussing how he draws from mythology to convey timeless lessons and crafts vibrant imageries to shed light on the challenges and triumphs of the African society. He spoke candidly about his creative process, sharing insights into the inspirations that shape his…
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Reviewer : Taiwo Michael Oloyede Agema’s collection of poems is a labyrinth of sweeping anecdotes; juxtaposing a motley of quotidian motifs that tug persistently at our fragile coats of existence with impish punches, in this terra firma. Agema writes with the zest of a skilled hunter; wielding sharp-edged swords and other accoutrements at the call of duty. His poetic nuances, in this baroque of evocation, are rooted both in profound lyricism and an instinctual diagnosis of human circumstances. His writing style leaps like water-froths, entreating you to come in for an ethnic dance with flailing hands in a restive, festive…
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Reviewer: Molara wood Kate Apaflo Awuku-Darko’s My Girl Child, a poignant entry in her collection Seven Shredded Sisters, speaks with profound tenderness and urgency, addressing the complexities of girlhood in the shadow of societal expectations. This poem is a striking examination of resilience, vulnerability, and the quiet rebellion of a young girl navigating the confines of tradition. At its heart, My Girl Child is a deeply empathetic exploration of identity, self-awareness, and the conflict between individuality and cultural imposition. Awuku-Darko captures the weight of inherited customs with the haunting line, “you worry about the nightmares / of your thighs being…
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Masterclass Alert: Gbenga Adesina to Lead Exclusive Poetry Workshop in Lagos Renowned poet and literary scholar Gbenga Adesina, winner of the 2016 Brunel International African Poetry Prize, will be hosting a free poetry masterclass sponsored by Goethe-Institut Nigeria. The session, set to take place on Thursday, July 12, at 12 PM, promises an enriching exploration of poetic craft and creativity for participants at Lagos City Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island. Currently a Starworks Poetry Fellow at New York University, where he also teaches Undergraduate Creative Writing, Adesina has garnered accolades for his deeply evocative poetry. His works, including Painter…
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Ada Limón 1976 – Out here, there’s a bowing even the trees are doing. Winter’s icy hand at the back of all of us.Black bark, slick yellow leaves, a kind of stillness that feelsso mute it’s almost in another year. I am a hearth of spiders these days: a nest of trying. We point out the stars that make Orion as we take out the trash, the rolling containers a song of suburban thunder. It’s almost romantic as we adjust the waxy blue recycling bin until you say, Man, we should really learnsome new constellations. And it’s true. We keep forgetting…
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On 7 – 8 January 2017, the UK’s hottest spoken word talents were gathered in the Elgar Room for the Hammer & Tongue UK Poetry Slam final, where 22-year old Theresa Lola was crowned overall winner of the evening. Over the course of a two day literary extravaganza, poetry slam champions from all over the UK competed for the title of UK champion in individual and team events, featuring special guest artists from the world of spoken word Luke Wright, Rob Aughton and Kat Francois. Theresa Lola is a Nigerian British poet, who entered the UK Poetry Slam final as Hackney’s slam champion. A regular…
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Submit to Grist’s 4th Imagine 2200 Climate Fiction Contest | Deadline: June 24.


