I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

A REVIEW OF "GRAPEVINE" SPOKEN WORD VIDEO

In 4 minutes (19 seconds) Duke flew in firmament of words, 'poetizing' the many sad news daily slapping the faces of Nigerians and Nigeria; striking every point, repeating a refrain "I heard it through the grapevine"

With not-so-poetic stanzas, he touches on the different pointers already sending signals of a possible disintegration of the entity called Nigeria; for easy consumption by the fast-rising poetry audience in the world's most populated black nation, with a perfect sync of piano sounds at the background.

He carefully x-rays the impunity increasingly sinking deep-down the fabric of the  Nigerian judicial system, politics and religious platforms, mentioning one or two political big-weights; metaphorically placing "corruption" as a Nigerian, not excluding cyber criminals he tags "yahoo boys" in the Nigerian parlance, Fulani-herdsmen killings and so many other compelling cacophonies.

Finalizing with  a beam of hope that "we can stop offering our franchise as merchandize, because we are our own missile".

The originality in Duke's spell-spilling tongue may curse his viewers to keep 'asking for more. You don't want to miss that!

Weldone Olaniyi Olayemi Luke "DukeLuke"


Reviewed by Bankole Kolawole "BankHALL"
a poet, essayist and a spoken word artiste based in Lagos-Nigeria.

To see video, follow this link...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqXAA5xNI1k

DUKELUKE POETRY (YOUTUBE CHANNEL)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoKSrFwTZ88Ucn3BO27QsCg


FACEBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/olaniyi.olayemi.9

SOS INTERVIEW WITH POETHICK SAMURAI

SOS INTERVIEW WITH OLAYINKASAMSON AREMU (POETHICK SAMURAI), NEWLY CROWNED KING OF SPOKEN WORD POETRY AT THE ESTEEMED NIGERIAN WRITERS AWARDS (2017).

Can you introduce yourself to us? (Full name, State of origin, Marital status, Occupation.)

I am Olayinka Samson Aremu, the poethick Samurai. I am from Ogun State, Nigeria. Single but engaged. I'm a spokenword poet, farmer and hustler.


Kindly share what your childhood was like.

Growing up in a Christian home with pious parents who were devoted to biblical precepts is a little more than horse and rabbit stew, with living in a village where Yoruba norms and culture were rooted. As the last born of the family, I was very close to my parents, especially my dad. As a teenager with keen interest towards knowledge, I never seized bothering my dad (and elderly people around) with questions.  I learned the art of words and the fear of God from them.

What is your Educational Background?

I had my primary education  at Olaiya Nursery and Primary School, Ado-Odo (1998-2003), then got admitted into Ado-Odo High School, Ado-Odo in the year 2003. I'm currently studying Mass Communication at the National Open University of Nigeria.

We recognize you are a multiple award winning poetry slam champion and also congratulate you on your latest feat at Nigerian Writers Awards. Tell us how you felt, winning the highly-coveted award.

It was great. I never thought of it. I was really surprised. But then I look forward to greater heights.

From your bio, we found very unusual combinations like farming, poetry, media and chemistry. How do you align all of these, yet performing brilliantly in all?

*smiles** I watch the likes of Donna K and Dike Chukwumerije. Poets are hardworking people. There has always been a way. My passion is greater than me, it drives me on.

 Most of your poems hinge on morals, any hint on why?

Well, maybe because I don't like what our society is becoming. There is a high level of moral degradation and I want to speak to bring back the lost nature of mankind.

What inspired you into spoken word poetry performances?

I want my opinion to be heard. I'm seeing things that are making me feel uncomfortable. And poetry is the only medium by which I can voice.

What are your favorite themes?

I write as muse leads although I write to right the wrongs of the society. I write more on humans' moral attitude.

Who is (are) your mentor(s)

It's a long list but I won't fail to mention Graciano Enwerem, Donna Ogunnaike, Kemi Bakare, Victor Adetimilehin, Olumide Olulu and many others

Do you have any upcoming spoken word audio/ video? If Yes, Please tell us about it.

Not really. But soon.

What are your plans for career, say in ten years time.

I want to be great. I want to be known for what I do. I want to be great.

What words do you have for your fans and mentees out there?

To those who fan me, may your nostrils never run out of air. To those who look up to me, I will try not to disappoint you, but remember, you are your own propeller (be yourself).

Thank you for your time.

BankHALL™

For: SoundOfSages (SOS)

www.facebook.com/soslams

www.soundofsages.blogspot.com.ng

VAIN REFRAIN

VAIN REFRAIN
(By PoeTHICK Samurai- newly crowned King of Spoken Word Poetry in Nigeria @The Nigerian Writers Awards 2017)


Tell them that the chalkboard is the hall of fame 
Time is the duster that dusts away and can't be blamed
Taming the flame of fame
Is a vain refrain.

Tell them, the Ronaldos and Messis of this world
Magic footers whose names are still netting the goalposts of fame unfurled,
That fame is like the air in a ball, once the ball hits nail,
The air fizzles and flies away like a fantail.

Remind them of Roberto Carlos
Remind them how, fame can be callous.
Ronaldinho, how can you die so soon.
Our beloveth free-kick ace;
Though still kicking the ball, but his name had long kicked the bucket.

If I'm one that foots the ball,
I'd rather heed death's final whistle when it calls.
I'll leave the lee,
Even if it be
when I'm still dribbling and scoring hat tricks;
And I would dribble fame's trick.
So my name would still play on the pitch,
And spectators would still echo my name in a high pitch.

Tell them that the chalkboard is the hall of fame
Time is the duster that dusts away and can't be blamed
Taming the flame of fame
Is a vain refrain.

Tell them!
Tell them Sam Smith and Adelle of this time,
Whose music is still jingling in the air like the voices of high pitched chimes
There are many high pitch singers,
Whose high-blaring names have been lowered.

Tell Rick Ross that RikRok had rocked this same stage.
But his name had hit the rock before his old age.
Tell Olamide, Whose star is shinning like sunrise at midday
That I'd rather leave the stage while my music is on
than stay and watch my name fade away.
I won't join the band of musicians
Musicians who though still sing but their muse is sick
and their names sunken
Like the eyes of those drunken.

Tell them that the chalkboard is the hall of fame
Time is the duster that dusts away and can't be blamed
Taming the flame of fame
Is a vain refrain.

Tell them!
Tell them Sarah Kay of this generation
Before they nationalize to damnNATION
That there had been slam champions
whom competitions had slammed door against.
If I were you I'd wield a Samurai
who would be defending my championships.
While I still hold on to my gracious kingship,
I will propound my chemistry in a KEMISTREE.
So that the chemical reactions of my name would still be reacting,
Reacting in the minds of men
when my mic is off
and I'm off the stage.

If Oluode wouldn't teach Omoode how to hunt,
Who would fire the gun when he's gone?

Tell them that the chalkboard is the hall of fame
Time is the duster that dusts away and can't be blamed
Taming the flame of fame
Is a vain refrain.

Life is like a classroom,
the people are the students
and the chalkboard is this hall of fame.
The inscriptions on the chalkboard are celebrities' names.
When one period ends,
we rub off the board and write another.

Before your period ends,
let the students copy you into the notes of their hearts.

And after you've been rubbed off,
they can always go back to read you.

I tell you, tell them before it's too late.
Fire dies and leaves its ashes, great men die and leave their names.
Though good men may die, but their names are immortal.

Tell them that the chalkboard is the hall of fame
Time is the duster that dusts away and can't be blamed

Taming the flame of fame
Is a vain refrain