As we celebrate the National Poetry Month this April 2017, we decided to have an interview with Arch Angel. A Nigerian young Poet that is currently hitting grounds with his poems/voice.
The
purpose of this interview is to know you more, and to hear your story of how
you got to be this creatively crazy, with the kind of lines that are always
heard in your poems.
It’s
nice having you here with us.
POETRYCOURT:
There are so many people out there who still want to know you. So, let’s meet
you.
Arch Angel:*smiles* my brother it's
a pleasure being here. I go by the pseudonym 'ArchAngel' but my birth names are
Gabriel Ehijie. I be full southern blood from the Esan side of Edo state,
studying PetrochemicalEngineering at the University of Lagos, shout out to my
fellow Akokites!A Pan-Afrikanist, an adventurer, a son, brother, cousin, uncle,
and hopefully soon a father *laughs* My brother nothing special to know about me
jare, na all of us gather dey d struggles of everyday life.
POETRYCOURT:
This question I'm about to ask might hit you hard, so you must have to take
your time in answering it. Now, we really want to know what you call yourself
because names matters a lot.
Are
you a SPOKEN WORD ARTISTE or a SPOKEN WORD POET?Or you have gat
something else that you tag to yourself.
Arch Angel:it's really not hard cos
I get this question a lot, but as I keep saying, spoken word predates written
word, and when our ancestorsrendered enchanting lines with rhythm, they never
called themselves spoken word artistes or spoken word poets. No, they were
known only as the selected few God graced to render poetry. But my brother the
need for the westernized man to tag or label everythingin his path blinds him
from seeing that it's actually about what is being said, what is the relevance
of your words in your society? be it page or spoken.Whether you're a spoken
word artiste or a spoken word poet, what message are you passing across?
POETRYCOURT:Why
do you choose poetry, are there any special things about POETRY?
Arch Angel: Ah Ah, brother why I no
go choose poetry. Poetry is the root of most, if not all of the constituents of
arts we know today from music to prose
to drama to short stories to dance just to mention a few. I see it as a vital
tool in the mission of waking the consciousness of our people. By the way, you
know there's a school of thought wey reason say poetry predates literacy.
POETRYCOURT: Aside
from poetry, what else do you find yourself writing?
Arch Angel: *laughs* that's a nice
one. If I'm not writing poetry you'll catch me writing short stories, songs and
sometimes business ideas.
POETRYCOURT:What
books do you read because there is this strong believe that the books you read
also determine what you write?
Arch Angel: that's true, But I read a wide variety of books from
novels to poetry to the Bible to the Quran to law books to astronomical books,
a whole lot my brother *smiles* basically anything I think would give me a new
perspective on life.
POETRYCOURT:What
are the most difficult challenges that you have faced as a performance poet?
Arch Angel:one of the challenges
I've
facedishavingtoenlightenpeoplewhobelieveperformancepoetryorspokenwordisn'tpoetry,theyforgetthatbeforepoetrywaspenneddownitwasrenderedorally.AnotherchallengeIcomeupagainstare
event or show organizers who would want you to perform for free even when
they're collecting ticket money, this is something I consider wrong and totally
frown upon because it doesn't encourage the performer.Also, it's a shame to see
thatin Nigeria today talent is being underplayed for money, and this is
allowing mediocrity to seep in.
POETRYCOURT:On
your side, what do you think about platforms that are being birth to promote
the art? Are they doing the right things?
Arch Angel: well, I think any
platform that promotes the art of poetry is a good thing, especially if it's promoting the younger
generation because they are the posterity of this art. However, the division I
see among some of these platforms brought about by a faction mentality slows
the growth of this beautiful art in our beloved country.
POETRYCOURT:If
you have a chance to change the world of poetry, what will you want to change?
Arch Angel: another good one, there
are a couple of things I would like changed in the world of poetry. But
majorly, I think more corporate investment is needed as this would bring more
publicity and give Poets the opportunity of securing ambassadorship deals just
like actors, musicians, comedians and other constituentsof art. Also, this will
increase interest in poetry and other literary activities in our society.
POETRYCOURT:Who
are the poets that you look up to as you struggle to break free from writing
shallow lines?
Arch Angel: I look up to any poet
whose message connects with my soul regardless of their age, tribe or race. But
if what you mean to ask is which poets inspire my writing? I'll say locally,
Ken SaroWiwa, and internationally, Khalil Gibran.
POETRYCOURT: What
do you have to tell us on your own that you feel we have not asked?
Arch Angel:*laughs* my brother I no
know o. Anything you reason ask I ready answer.
POETRYCOURT: Any
word for your fans?
Arch Angel: yes o, I thank all my
fans for the support cos it keeps me going. I know you all have been
anticipating my E.P and I promise not to keep you waiting for long. I'm just
striving for perfection because you guys don't deserve anything less.
POETRYCOURT: Nice
having you with us. We hope to see you some other time.
To download Black by Arch Angel: https://m.soundcloud.com/iamdiangelo347
To also download Omije: https://my.notjustok.com/
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