Bio: Ajani Samuel Victor is a black writer and poet. He was the winner of the “prisoner of love poetry contest,” a Semi-finalist at the 2020 Jack Grapes Poetry Prize and he was also shortlisted for the 2020 Kreative Diadem Annual Writing contest. He is one of the contributors to SPRINNG Afro-eros anthology. His recent… Continue reading In conversation with Ajani Samuel Victor, winner of “prisoner of love poetry contest,”
Abu Ibrahim (IB) Plays Voice of Conscience in Music Has Failed Us
By Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera The spoken word poetry album, “Music has Failed Us” is the debut album by the poet Abu Ibrahim who goes by the stage name, “IB.” He is part of a constellation of young African poets who are very deliberate about using poetry as a tool for positive change. Along with other… Continue reading Abu Ibrahim (IB) Plays Voice of Conscience in Music Has Failed Us
Under the Orange Sky – A candid exploration of the Human Mind
Reviewer: Obizulike Chukwuma The title of this book steers us in the path of a visceral interrogation of what it means to be under the Orange Sky. This collection of poems explores loci of the human mind and how it relates with art through storytelling and riveting renditions of vulnerability suffused in logic. In this… Continue reading Under the Orange Sky – A candid exploration of the Human Mind
Rotimi Osiyoye’s Digital Affection explores the role of communication in society
Reviewer: Deji Akinade Communication has been an essential part of our culture since the beginning of time. It has also been a crucial part of our social life and over time, the means of communication has changed according to the times. Digital Affection takes us on a journey from the past on how communication is… Continue reading Rotimi Osiyoye’s Digital Affection explores the role of communication in society
The Things Father Did Not Teach Us–An appealing collection that speaks volume
Abimbola Alaka is a fine poet and her debut collection bears testament to this. The poet who was a National Winner of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Essay Competition in 2005 wrote this collection of poetry for young people. Taking a more painstaking look, are we not all young at heart? This poetry was written for… Continue reading The Things Father Did Not Teach Us–An appealing collection that speaks volume
Lindsey Davis, Tolu’ A. Akinyemi, others, set to headline the Havering Literary Festival 2021
The Havering Libraries are excited to announce the return of the Havering Literary Festival next month.The festival will be on a slightly smaller scale this year – with a mixture of in person and virtual events and featuring many local authors. Full details can be found at www.havering.gov.uk/haveringliteraryfestival Please book your place for any event by… Continue reading Lindsey Davis, Tolu’ A. Akinyemi, others, set to headline the Havering Literary Festival 2021
Lagos is Killing Me—Enunciates the place of literature in Society
Oloyede’s Lagos is Killing Me is not a cliché, even though Lagos strangles many souls. Even if Oloyede had titled this collection of poems, Nigeria is Killing Me, that will lay bare the current state of affairs in a nation of two contrasting ends, the nouveau rich and the poor who barely survive on less… Continue reading Lagos is Killing Me—Enunciates the place of literature in Society
Ushering in another Black History Month: Journeys into Tolu′ Akinyemi’s Black ≠ Inferior
Title: BLACK ≠ INFERIOR Genre: Poetry (a collection) Author: Tolu′ A. Akinyemi Publisher: The Roaring Lion Newcastle LTD Year of Publication: 2021 Date of Review: 30th of September, 2021 Word Count: 1,490 Reviewer: ENANG, God’swill Effiong ‘From every mountainside, let freedom ring’—Martin Luther King Jr. Black ≠ Inferior was spurned with everything compared to what… Continue reading Ushering in another Black History Month: Journeys into Tolu′ Akinyemi’s Black ≠ Inferior
Northumberland’s Shining Light: Philip Stuckey talks up music, poetry and storytelling…
TNR: Who were your early influences as a singer/songwriter? PS: I love James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Dan Fogelberg…basically all the songwriters who write poetry in music form. I was a big fan of the Dunfermline rock band, Nazareth as a teenager and loved Dan McCafferty’s voice. I was never a great Beatles fan but recognised… Continue reading Northumberland’s Shining Light: Philip Stuckey talks up music, poetry and storytelling…
Houdini Isn’t Exempted: Love as an Imprisoner in Olawale’s ‘Prisoner of Love’
Title: Prisoner of Love Genre: Poetry (a chapbook) Author: Ibrahim Olawale Publisher: The Roaring Lion Newcastle LTD Date: 13th September, 2021 Reviewer: Afer Ventus Yes! Dante, Spencer, Shakespeare and many more foreign writers have written about unrequited love in some of their works (Inferno, Amoretti and the Shakespearean sonnet respectively). These writers have in their… Continue reading Houdini Isn’t Exempted: Love as an Imprisoner in Olawale’s ‘Prisoner of Love’