Poetry Potter

Poetry and its Business

The stage is set; Kowry Kreations Media raised the bar of poetry
business in the country and Africa at large, with its 30th edition of
POETRY POTTER, the monthly poetry event. This edition of the event
commenced the three consecutive months of Red-carpet event for
Poets/Spokenword artistes in Nigeria. The organisation is proud of
being the first to introduce this social element into an aspect of
literary arts that is relegated to the elites, in the country and
Africa at large.

Speaking at the event, Seun Ajayi said, “It’s not that red carpet is
something we created out of vacuum but the strategic usage of it is
what we are proud of.” This is said be to a kind of movement that will
play a major roll in the contemporary history of poetry and
performance poetry in Nigeria and Africa by the Project/Programme
director of the organisation.

Poetry is in everything called entertainment. The business aspect of
this genre in the Nigerian and African oral literature is essential
for its promotion and income generation too. This is the hallmark of
Creative Lives, an initiative of the British Council, which is target
at making creative workers entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs in the
Creative Industry are expected to start contributing at least 30% to
the Nigeria GDP per annum.

With this initiative of Kowry Kreations Media attempts to spur the
business of poetry/spokenword in the country and Africa as there are
series of poetry events pilling up by the day in Nigeria and Africa at
large. Particularly, poetry is strong in South Africa, Ghana, and
Kenya amongst other Africa countries.

The producer of the event, Aderemi Adegbite, said “this movement is
directed at making the genre as lucrative (business wise) as its
sister genre, music.” He continued by saying that “we hope introducing
some social elements into the promotion of poetry will push it a bit
forward from its current point. And we promise to do this consistently
with integrity.”

The renowned poet, Odia Ofeimun had consistently maintained his stand
that poetry performance should be as lucrative as it is abroad at
literary and arts fora. If the arts promoters and managers pay more
attention on this area it will be another means of income generation
in the literary arts sub-sector of the creative industry in the
country. Music and film are doing well as sub-sectors against all
odds.

As always, Plus One, a new hip-hop group of three young and creative
minds and Felyne, a Nigerian female rap artiste based in the US, were
the guest artistes of the month. Plus One, the three young energetic
men dazzled the audience with their performance and Felyne who said
her brand of hip-hop is a blend of Nigerian music with rap convinced
the audience that she knows her onions.

Open mic segment of the event featured rang of artistes of different
arts, background in poetry and music. Some sang and performed their
poetry in plain language but in an entertaining manner. But
Cornerstone and Uche Nwadinachi used their poetic license profusely to
mirror the hanky panky in the government.

With these partners: Capricorn Tents&More and HEV Pictures/Snap, of
Kowry Kreations Media in this movement, Poetry Potter can be said to
be aiming at its peak.