EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SPOKEN WORD POET AMAKASON

AMAKASON PERFORMING LIVE AT AN EVENT

Rosea Writes: INTERVIEW WITH SPOKEN WORD POET Amakason

"I believe that feminism doesn't deal with the problem, its just about equality"-

Amakason

Rosea Writes had the honour of sitting down with the phenomenal spoken word poet and writer "Amakason" . We got to spend days getting to know the woman behind the words and it was worth the wait. 

Rosea Writes: First of all, thank you so much for taking some time out to chat with us. We really appreciate it

Amakason: Thank you Rosemond for having me. Its a big honour 

RW: Tell us a bit about yourself?

AMA: My name is Chiamaka Benita Nwabeke AKA "Amakason"..(that's a stage name), I am both a spoken word poet and a writer but I dance for fun...I am from Abia state, first child of my parents but I have three step siblings...So in all we are four children and I'm the first child.

RW: How did you get started in spoken word? What is it about spoken word that you love? 

AMA: I started spoken word about three years ago...I was at Calabar for an Exam..while at Calabar, there was a conference that I attended where I was to read out a poem from a book. A day before the event, I was talking to a friend and He asked me if I would be presenting anything for the event, I told him I would be reading a poem from my book. He then advised that instead of reading the poem from a book,I could just memorise it and present without the book... It made sense,so I decided to try it...Prior to this time,I had not heard the word spoken word and I knew absolutely nothing about it...When I got back from Calabar a dear friend of mine introduced me to a Female spoken word artist called Jackie Hill Perry....I listened to her poem 'jig-a-boo' and I just knew inside of me that I could do it...





RW: what was the first poem that you remember writing or performing?

AMA:  I performed my first spoken word piece about a few weeks later It was titled: "Amakason"

RW:  Tell us about your first time performing?

AMA:  Well I was quite nervous because it was my first time. But it went well because people thought it was great. My first performance really had a big hand in my spoken word careers continuity...If I got a pretty bad response from people after the first performance I most likely would have dropped it. Thankfully, I got a good response...But when I look at my pieces now...I can honestly say that I have grown a whole lot...

RW: what inspired your first poem?

AMA:  My first poem was inspired by the growing number of humans who find it very difficult to accept themselves. I basically wrote 'Amakason' just so I could explain to people using myself as an example that we don't need to be perfect before we start loving ourselves.We just need to accept ourselves,while God keeps working on our character and fits us into His image.

RW: Do you consider yourself a feminist? What does feminism mean to you?

AMA:  I don't consider myself a feminist...Feminism is the act of fighting for the equality of both genders. I believe that feminism doesn't deal with the problem,its just particular about equality....Truth be told,if the issue of equality is settled someday,there would still be problem between sexes...Because sin which is the root issue has not being dealt with...Instead of equality,I prefer we start fighting for equity...Where each gender operates according to their abilities...Life isn't competition, no matter how much ladies try to be equal to men,we can't be...Neither can men be equal to us...Because we were created to make up for the weakness of the men,while the men make up for our weaknesses...We are to compliment not compete with each other...That's my take on the feminism issue...

RW:  Well said Amaka, you have quite a lot to say about feminism, so coming now to your stage performances What is it like to perform in different settings, such as at festivals or events or probably on youtube? How do you find the different audiences?

AMA:  The feelings are very different...if its a live event,I feel less nervous than when I'm putting a video up on youtube...Youtube is a lot more impersonal.

RW:  What has been the highlight of your career so far?

AMA: hmmm....I think the highlight of my career was when I realised that my life on stage has to coincide with my life outside the stage...In the sense that, there is a big responsibility on me to practice what I preach...And I think its a thing that comes with speakers and people who hold positions of authority...Paul spoke in the Bible about the fact that there is a greater responsibility on leaders and that knowledge came with a holy fear....And it also created a deeper desire for the Holy spirit because I know that He alone can indeed help me do the will of my Father.

RW:  Your poems are so passionate both in delivery and content have you ever had to force a piece?

AMA: Yea I have. A scenario I remember vividly was when a church member was getting married and he asked me to do a poem at his wedding. It was a two days notice. it was pretty head challenging to write and rehearse a new piece in two days but I did it for them. But I went along with my manuscript to the stage.There were a couple of more times that I rushed a piece...The grace of God has always being there with me but I try as much as possible to not find myself in positions like that...Because as much as the Grace of God is sufficient,it would be every wrong of me to misuse it...

RW: So what is your best moment whilst taking part in an event? And worst moment?

AMA:  I think my best moment is when I'm on the stage performing...There are very few things that are as fulfilling to me as that moment...When I am performing spoken word at an event are usually my best part ...I think my worst part would be the few minutes before I'm called up on stage....The nervousness that I feel is one I don't like...I no longer get as nervous as I use to but I still don't like the feeling..

RW:  What is your favourite line of your own poem and your favourite poem you have written?

AMA: I do not have a best poem. Many times I see some poets who tell me how that they just wrote an amazing piece and I'm happy for them and how they feel...But I never feel that way...I don't think I have ever written a piece that I felt was AMAZING!. Many times, I am usually lost in prayer hoping that God would use those words to do whatever it is He wants to do...I simply just write what God wants me to and hope that I deliver it the best way possible...I'm not trying to be overly spiritual here,its just the truth...I hope you understand...

RW:  Yes I do... So what is your advice for young people such as you who are interested in performance poetry?

AMA: Be willing to pour yourself into the art, know and love Jesus if you want to focus on Christian spoken word poetry because you can't talk about someone you don't know...Read wide because there is no shortcut to being a great spoken word artist,you have to read...And above all,practice what you profess...Let your life on stage coincide with your life outside stage...

RW: Where can we find you online?

AMA: My facebook name is: Amaka Nwabeke

My Youtube channel (you can watch my videos here): Amaka Nwabeke

This is a link to one of my favourite videos "Dear Lust"- https://t.co/jknd6FwDUr