Spoken word artists perform live on RTÉ for National Poetry Day
Spoken word artists perform live on RTÉ for National Poetry Day
“I’m trying to bridge the disconnect between young people and poetry. Bring young audiences closer to the art form. It’s not all lofty, academic and abstract.”
RTÉ Pulse have gathered together a team of spoken word artists for ‘Represent’. The project aims “to give multi-platform support to the young generation of spoken word artists, poets and rappers in Ireland today”.
According to station editor and producer Adam Fogarty, the main aim is to make poetry more accessible for those who perhaps are detached from the art form.
“As an urban and dance music station for 15-24 year olds, it was clear to me that the real voices of our generation are the young Irish rappers and artists that we feature at the station regularly. Their stories are the stories of the young people we represent. Their perspectives, their struggles, their socio-cultural environments, their aspirations and the lives in which they lead are the mirror to the society and Ireland in which our young people live. These are the true voices of young Ireland with engaging, relevant and relatable stories for young audiences.”
Artists in this year’s ‘Represent’ include Femmy Oyebade, Felispeaks, rapper Mango, Lewis Kenny, pioneering Irish hip hop artist Lethal Dialect, Dagogo and Amshwa.
Adam continues, “I’m trying to bridge the disconnect between young people and poetry. Bring young audiences closer to the art form. It’s not all lofty, academic and abstract. I believe the truest incarnation of poetry is rap and the spoken word. I’ve curated 7 of the best in the country right now for this.’’
Watch the performances in full on the playlist below.
