TONI PAYNE TALKS ABOUT HER REAL NAMES, GROWING UP, POETRY, AND WHY SHE STOPPED MANAGING OLAMIDE

Here is a video interview with he show HITZ on ONTV.. Toni Payne talks about her real names, growing up, why she stopped managing Olamide, and how she started with Poetry.

Video: Wanna find out who Toni Payne really is? An interesting interview as HITZ Meets Toni Payne + a live Poetry Reading of I should Have Known.

 

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WHITE WALLS (Spoken Word Poetry) by Toni Payne

In my minds eye I see darkness
I see pain.
The forces around me
They surround me
They try to deprive me
I try to break free
Their touch is killing
I feel like breathing
I feel like  healing
negativity out there demeaning
Not to me, but to he and to she
Who dare address me
So quick to judge we
They believe,
Oh yes! they believe....
With their words they have the power
To cut like a dagger
through my soul
Leaving an empty hole?
I dont think so! 
A look in their lifes mirror
Speak volumes of imperfections
Pretending to be holy
Hmmm! Aint that sum shit homie..
Depression sets in
Aggression manipulates me
She wants me angry, vengeful, hateful
I will not give in
They control my mind
Grab me from behind
My soul feels caged
I need to break free
I need to be me
I cannot conform
Who needs a reform
The voices, they come around me
Asking me to clean my surroundings
I hate this place,
I feel misplaced
I shout thru my veils of lace
I don't feel like cleaning this shit hole
So shut your pie hole, u asshole!
In my white walls I wish you could see
What it takes to really be me
Allow me make my mistakes
Allow me do what it takes
Allow me... even if I break
I'm close to the key
I need to break free
Free from this bondage
Mental, Emotional, Physical
Yes they surround me
I need to break free.
The sound of metal through the silence
It rings like keys
I need to break free
In my white walls you can't understand me
It takes a lot to really be me Toni Payne - White Walls

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Bassey Ikpi hosts #NaijaPoetrySlam | Poetry Contest

Bassey Ikpi will be coming to Nigeria in August, and will be hosting 5 events. 3 in Lagos, 1 in Abuja, and 1 in Calabar. Here are the guidelines for the contest.

Rules:
1. The theme of the contest is "home".

2. Submit an original poem that is at least half in English.

3. Video submissions should be no more than 2 minutes long

4.You can enter the competition from anywhere in Africa but you will cover your costs should you be chosen. That means if you want to participate, you have to get to Lagos on your own.

5.The video must be recorded specifically for the competition. One camera; one poet. No live performance videos. No special effects.

6. Before you begin your video, state your name and where you're from. Please include that info as well as an email address in the information box of YOUR video.

7. Upload your video as a video response to THIS video. That means that if you don't have a Youtube channel or account, you need to get one. If you have a gmail account, then you have a Youtube account. Please don't ask me how to set up a gmail or Youtube account.

8. Share with your friends and get them to 'like' your video for a chance to be picked as the audience favourite

9. Make sure you follow Bassey Ikpi on Twitter and like her Facebook fanpage for updates to the contest. And leave a comment down below after you upload your video response just to make sure she got it. She will comment on the video after she's viewed to let you know it's been viewed.

10. Contest ends at 11:59PM (EST, US) 27, May 2012. Any video received any time after the contest ends will not be considered for the contest.

Good luck! Twitter: @basseyworldlive @gbagyichild Official Hashtag: #NaijaPoetrySlam

The cash price will be announced later but for the entries Bassey picks, they will have a one on one mentoring/workshop session with her when she comes to Nigeria, before the competition.

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GET TO KNOW HER: AMAZING POET BASSEY IKPI LIVE IN NIGERIA

Bassey Ikpi is a Nigerian born poet/writer who was a featured cast member of the National Touring Company of the Tony Award winning Broadway show, Russell Simmon's Def Poetry Jam. Not a stranger to the stage, her poetry has also opened shows by Grammy Award winning artists, has earned her standing ovations at the NAACP Image Awards as part of a tribute to Venus and Serena Williams, Johannesburg, South Africa's annual arts festival, Joburg Arts Alive and at The United Nations Annual. As it relates to media, she has graced the pages of such notable publications as Nylon, Marie Claire, Glamour and Bust.

During the summer of 2010 Bassey embarked on a 3 city tour, appropriately called “BasseyworldLive”, which infused poetry and interactive panel discussions on everything from politics to pop culture - with a huge emphasis on mental health issues. Not only did she headline each show, but she also moderated the panel discussions, which included special invited guests from various industries such as art, film and journalism.  Bassey was also one of the original co-hosts of the award-winning podcast, Blacking It Up.

With social commentary being a focus of her work, Bassey has recorded original poems for the Kaiser Foundation’s, HIV/AIDS campaign; Knowing Is Beautiful and There is No Comfort In Silence for Global Grind in partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb and World AIDS Day. Along with working as a freelance writer for several media outlets on the topic of mental health and pop culture commentary including Ebony, The Huffington Post, Essence.com, XOJane.com and TheRoot.com.

Following the suicide of a young friend, Bassey founded non-profit organization, The Siwe Project to help spread mental health awareness in the global African community.


Though Bassey has cultivated a successful career in the States, it has been her dream to perform her poetry in her homeland.  In August this year, she will make that dream a reality. After almost twenty years away, Bassey will be coming home to Nigeria. During her visit, Bassey will be headlining performances in Lagos and Abuja before traveling on to see her family in the Calabar area. She will also be hosting a poetry slam competition for aspiring poets of all levels of experience. Details of the competition will be revealed on Wednesday, 25th April. 

In the meantime, linked below is Bassey’s signature poem about her relationship with her grandmother and her connection to her homeland.

Here is a video of one of her amazing performances: Homeward

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Life & Music - IBK

Life

a beautiful combination of you and I embedded in word that gave life to everyone/

He who was, is and forever would be I run into the arms of life and embark on a/

journey to reality/

its funny cos we punish ourselves/

with the same things we put in place to control ourselves/we made money as a legal tender but man has made money tender to his greedy needs and all I need is/

one mic

one paper

one pen

one dream

one soul

one individual in control

one life

one opportunity to explain purpose

my minds like a circus activity so I/

focus my music in the direction that your ears wont refuse it/

and if it do!/

then its scared of the truth that hurts the course thats unjust and pause the impulse/

that makes you sow thorns as seeds in our youth

life is my spaceship

it's complex but simple to understand

it's that spaceship boy homie!

Beautiful poetry written by IBK(spaceship boy) ...well delivered too!

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Chiedu Ifeozo - Thank You

Thank you:

There are times when I wonder out loud
Where I'd be without you watching over me
I feel unique in the midst of a crowd
Where would I be without your guidance
I listen to your words with upmost attention
They provide me with a unique sense of direction
You saved us when you sent your only son
You give me a chance to see the morning sun
I speak to you when my troubles come
Somehow you've always helped me through the storm
You saved me when I wasn’t even born
That car accident could have ended it all before life even begun
On an ordinary afternoon, you rescued me from that wreck
My first cry was loud, I was singing your praises
There was fear on their faces
They were all worried, but you were certain
You saved me
For a purpose
You watched over me
You have never left me forlorn
To you, I would always look upon
You inspire me, your love set me free
Free to dream, free to soar
Thank you for your continuous blessings
Helping me survive life's lessons
You created me, you gave me life
I thank you lord from the bottom of my heart

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Chiedu Ifeozo - I see You

I see you,
Your aura remains a memory that never departs.
The essence of your presence, a continuing reminder.
My mind wanders,
Drifting into the space of your warmth,
The eagerness of your touch.

I see you.
Stealing glances into my mind,
Your glow gently caressing my soul
The wind blowing soft kisses on my skin.

Eyes closed, heart open.

I see you.
As time,
it slowly passes by.

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Chiedu Ifeozo - I'll be with you

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and there is no better time to share & care than now. "I'll be with you" is a beautiful love poem by Chiedu Ifeozo. Although the words are straight to the point , the message is strong and it depicts sincerity, simplicity, and love in its purest form.

I'll be with you - Chiedu

BIO

Chiedu Ifeozo is a young Nigerian, he was born in Lagos and is originally from Delta state, Nigeria. He completed his secondary school education at Kings College Lagos, Nigeria and graduated with a masters degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Surrey, England. reading and writing became a passion in his teenage years, drawing inspiration from events in his daily life as well as in his society."Thoughts on a page" is his first book, a collection spanning over 12 years, he writes romantic poems, pieces with a political/ social awareness theme, as well as inspirational spoken word pieces that focus on youth empowerment.

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Chiedu Ifeozo - For Jos

We look to our differences to define us
Even though dark days unite us
We look for someone to blame
Even though we are all powerless to the same
We see why we cant move forward
But we fail to look inward

The ground is dirty red
A mixture of blood and fear
There's despair in the air
And dead bodies wet with tears
A life time of many seasons
Destroyed simply for no reason
Homes become empty shells
As families face a living hell

Yesterdays joy has been replaced by grief and sorrow
today a blackened soul has taken away their tomorrow
This thick black smoke fills the sky
And chokes this nation until we sigh
When will we ever see each other as just Nigerian
And not find a reason to see in us, an alien
Hopes and dreams lay in coffins
Victims of a life that's only uncertain

We see why we cant move forward
But some prefer to think backwards
We look for someone to blame
Even though it should fill us with shame
We look to our differences to define us
Even though this pain lives inside us.

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CON.tra.diction - Dreams + Love & Attention

I found Tosyn Bucknor’s CON.tra.diction’s music on Nigerianhiphop and have since been in love with her music. Dreams is one of her singles, it was produced by Coldflames and recorded at Knighthouse Studios. The music fits into the classic mold of guitar-driven alternative music (Alternative Soul). Love & Attention is another one and it's just beautiful spoken words with an afro feel. Enjoy and leave comments.


CON.tra.diction - Dreams


CON.tra.diction - Love & Attention

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I hope for light (Spero Lucem)

I believe in who people are and whom they have the potential to become
And not whom they are not, or the difficulties they are yet to overcome
I believe in the spirit of kindness, the power of forgiveness and the audacity of hope
Our ability to adapt to difficult situations, our ability to cope
I believe we are all connected, not by race or background but by simple humanity
We are brothers and sisters with a common sense of community
I believe in the power of our actions and the relevance of our words and emotions
I Believe we should show love without any prejudice or reservations
And help one another in the face of opposition and oppression.

I hope for light, even though it may be naive or maybe foolish
Because hope is where my dreams are born and where my heart always returns
I hope for light, guidance for these dark nights, solace for many difficult fights
Because when there's life there's hope and hope is where my strength calls home

This new year, I pray we do not lose hope
And I pray for all who live in hope
a vision of a better life
Freedom from pain, suffering and strife
Because who we are and whom we may become
Depends on the hope that our reality may one day surpass our dreams
And the path to our destiny lies somewhere beyond the horizon.

This new year,
I hope for light

About Author

Chiedu Ifeozo is a contemporary poet and writer from Nigeria. He was born in Lagos and is originally from Delta state. He completed his secondary school education at Kings College Lagos, Nigeria and graduated with a masters degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Surrey, England. Reading and writing became a passion in his teenage years, drawing inspiration from events in his daily life as well as in his society."Thoughts on a page" is his first book, a collection spanning over 12 years, he writes romantic poems, pieces with a political/ social awareness theme, as well as inspirational spoken word pieces that focus on youth empowerment

In his words,

I.write. I use words to paint my emotions, its a way of communicating my feelings and opinions.sometimes it could be a personal issue, other times, one regarding the society around me. i enjoy writing poetry, i have a more contemporary style, related to spoken word.

For many years, we have condemned one person or the other for whatever went wrong within our vicinity. Rather than lend a helping hand, we ask the government to help the less privileged. Chiedu Ifeozo happens to be one that has stood up for change, in order words urged people to be the change they want to see in their community- he put his thoughts to words and uses the words to help the ones in need - POETRYFORCHARITY. He is a blessing to this generation.

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Poetry for Charity - Chiedu Ifeozo

Poetry for charity is a project which aims to bring together several writers from various regions of the world using the facebook social networking website, with a common aim of donating their poems and spoken word pieces to be added to a collection. All the revenue raised from the sale of the book would be donated to 3 different charities for every edition of the collection.



The first “Poetry for charity, Volume one” has just been released and features the work of 34 writers from different backgrounds and volume two has 68 contributing writers.The list of contributing writers includes some well known poets but most importantly, through poetry for charity we have been able to encourage a new breed of writers, and support worthy causes. We have been able to show that no matter your age, background or experience, writing is a form of expression and it is possible for you to develop your writing skills.


The assistance to the charities has been immense, not only in monetary donations but also the increase in the awareness level of these charities, the members of the group have been encouraged to continue their relationship with the charities, and support them in whatever way they can even after buying the book. Poetry for charity also reaches a global audience; this means that the words of the contributors reach further than many perhaps imagined.



The cover photo for volume two has been donated by renowned photographer,Mr Jide Alakija.



An article on the Poetry for charity project : http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/life_style/article23//indexn3_html?pdate=090509&ptitle=Poetry+for+Charity+Foundation+...+A+helping+hand+for+the+needy&cpdate=120509



Charities supported by volume one:-


With love from friends (WLFF)-
These Genes-Against illiteracy poverty and
AIDS(AIPA)

Charities supported by volume two:-

Stepping Stones Nigeria-
Little Saints Orphanage-

Crystal VisionVolume one is now available in Lagos and will soon be available in Abuja. each copy costs 500 naira. Volumes one and two are both available online @ http://stores.lulu.com/poetryforcharitynigeria

Source: Chiedu Ifeozo

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