Speaking Pen International Concept (SPIC) Interview Session with Poet James Ademuyiwa, held at the SPIC Family Whatsapp Group, hosted by SPIC Interviewers Unit, on Sunday, 05th of June, 2016 between 8:03pm to 11:44pm.
SPIC:
Good evening to all, Please if you active signify by any similes. More actives members please,Two more active members then we start.
Wow house, I've got an amazing interviewee tonight. I believe you would love to know how amazing he is?.
Join me as I welcome Poet James Ademuyiwaaaaaaa!
Good evening Poet James Ademuyiwa
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Good evening here
SPIC:
Welcome Poet James Ademuyiwa. Please kindly introduce yourself to the house
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
My name is James Ademuyiwa
SPIC:
Okay, who is James Ademuyiwa?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
And I am a Poet, That's all.
SPIC: Okay
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Yeah
SPIC:
Poet James, tell us, do you have a Pen name?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Firstly, can we settle something first please? I'd love to be addressed as only James;
Thanks. Now to the question on Pen Name, I do not have a pen name per se.
SPIC:
Okay as your Lordship pleases. Okay, I hope you will get one soon?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Because, the name people think should be my Pen Name has been a Nickname before I ever dreamt of writing my first piece. And I mean (Jamesconco)
SPIC:
Wow! that sounds amazing. Hope you will adopt that?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I hate Norms, so my name is James Ademuyiwa It turns me on when you call me James Ademuyiwa and it makes my brain cum of words.
SPIC:
Wow, James Ademuyiwa turns you on. Then there is a reason?, can you share with the house?
But James come to think of it, we only know your name and nothing more, is that fair enough?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Hehehehe
Well, you should get to know during the cause of the interview.
SPIC:
Okay still as your Lordship pleases
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
If you insist, I'd just say, it only connects back to the fact that, I became so proud the day I was honored as the "Empowered Spoken Word Youth from Africa" by the Canadian Poetry Festival in 2014
SPIC:
What type of Poet are you: written Poet, performance Poet or spoken word Poet?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
So, I realised, I've been doing more than just rants, that I've been affecting lives with my pieces which some call "sublime". I am a Poet; I write on Page; I perform on Stage; I dramatize Poetry, So, you can call me a "Performing Spoken Word Poet".
SPIC:
Now you are talking. In fact am on already. No need to turn again
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
C'mon. Don't be naughty. Lols
SPIC: Chai, so you wanted to keep all this to yourself
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I'm a trained Communicator so, I answer whatever you ask me
SPIC:
Kudos to you dear, it's not easy. Is okay
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Sorry for eating during the interview, I'm I permitted?
SPIC:
Yes o,
Many poets uses different poetic devices, so tell us which poetic devices you use more often?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Hmmmmm
Can I list more than 1???
Similie, Metaphor, Metonymy and Synecdoche
Remember to take them respectively as listed above.
SPIC:
Poetess Abigail Aliu: Yes, you can even list trillion
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
No no.
SPIC:
Okay
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
You said "often". Yeah yeah
SPIC:
Okay. So if I pick like five to six of your write up(poems) which of these aforementioned poetic devices can I find most?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Similie and Metaphor. Here is my latest
I heard your god is a vampire
walking in the sun
chasing necks of wandering
sheep in the coven of holy
cannibals.
I heard your god is a vampire
working in the sun
quenching his thirst with
innocent bloods on the streets
of Kano.
I heard your god is a vampire
scared of looking at the mirror.
SPIC:
Wow, this your Poem got me thinking. So you love comparism?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
That's full of Metaphors. Yeah yeah Comparison is what I see to drive home best the thoughts of a Poet to the other end
SPIC:
Many people within and outside the Poetry circle cannot tell if Spoken words are actually Poetry, can you enlighten us on that?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
If you ask me, Poetry started with Spoken Word
SPIC:
Really, How?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Firstly, from the Biblical story of creation, God said things figuratively and they were and are still are "Let there be light"
SPIC:
Wow, never knew I got a pastor Poet in the house, Yes, and there was.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Now, taking it away from Religion and Faith, back in the old Greek Empire, Roman Empire and old Empires, people were usually called to action or changed emotionally and psychologically through words spoken
SPIC:
Hmmm James is making me to be on cloud nine
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
If we are to look at it from the ancient literature (Shakespeare), all is Plays and Dramas, for example: Julius Ceaser, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest etc. You'd see the dexterity of the main acts with the use of words
SPIC:
Wish to study at your feet throughout the night, James the great!!!
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Take for example, the Julius Ceaser role in "Julius Ceaser" he's a man of words and looking at his words they are just so poetic. So, what I'm I saying? Poetry started from the Spoken Form then was written down. Don't forget, God spoke first, not wrote first. Choose any that fits into the statement
SPIC:
Okay sir, you quite enlightened us tonight I must confess
Tell us of prizes and awards that you have won
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Okay Ma. Don't forget, it's my own opinion, someone else's might be different. Chaiii, I hate to mention them because, they are not important.
SPIC:
Pleaseeeee
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Well, no problem, It all started with the "2nd Winner of WhatCanWordsDo?" Organized by Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, CEO Words Rhymes and Rhythms
SPIC:
Wow, that's amazing
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
"Empowered Youth on Spoken Word from Africa" by the Canadian Poetry Festival in 2014 (Award) First prize from WRR was February, 2014. While the Award was in October, 2014 which somehow served as my birthday gift
SPIC:
Really?, Wow, it's seems I will follow you home to snap with the awards.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I was named among the top 20 Poets (Page and Stage) by the EGC ratings. That closed the accolades session for 2015, 2014 rather.
SPIC: Hmmmm,
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
2015 opened with a "Special List of the Eriata Food Poetry Competition' where I was awarded. Oh! I'm sorry, 2014 had me came 5th at the Maiden edition of Eko Poetry Slam
SPIC:
Okay, James for the sake of those of us who might not be familiar with some Poetry bodies, can you tell us what EGC means?. Kudos to you, you've come a long way
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
They are generally known as EGC, but it's curated by Enigmatic Olumide Bisiriyu. Sorry, I can't get you the meaning.
SPIC:
Okay no problem.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
2015, I won the 2nd Prize of the Okigbo Poetry Night at University of Ibadan in a Dramatic Poetry Competition. Basically, I unleashed my dramatic Poetry performance that night.
SPIC:
Can you tell us the name of your favorite poet and what you love about the Poet?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Can't remember some, but 2015 ended with me being the 12th position on the year's EGC list which had Efe Paul Azino as the first
SPIC:
Wow, getting higher
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Well, I'd disappoint you, I don't have a favorite Poet
I just have those I love to listen to often or read; Well, Efe Paul Azino is my role model.
SPIC:
Okay. So what do you love about him?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
But, I love to read Maya Angelou, Oswald Mitsyali, Agarau Adedayo, Oriogun Oluwasegun etc
SPIC: Okay.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
With the fact that he opened my eyes to what is called Spoken Word in November 2013 at the maiden edition of Ake Arts and Books Festival, where I was so astonished to see someone perform poetry without holding a book for more than 15 minutes. So, I got interested from there.
[6/5, 9:28 PM] James Conco Pt: Because, he loves to input history in most of his pieces, I fell in love with him. I'm a lover of history.
SPIC: Wow, I see.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I hate to bore people, hope I've not woken your boring life!
SPIC:
Wow, so you can tell me more about slave trade, the amalgamation of North and South
SPIC:
No.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Definitely.
SPIC:
Okay.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Unfortunately, those are histories written for us not written by us
SPIC:
Can you tell us what inspires you to write poems?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
LIFE.
SPIC:
Life? That's deep
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Yeah, it is because I am deep.
SPIC:
(laughed)
Do you write other genres apart from Poetry?.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Yes Ma.
SPIC:
Which other ones?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Prose and Drama. The Prose are Short Stories and Flash Fictions & (Reviews). Drama, I do engage in Movie Script Development
SPIC:
Wow, nice one, multi talented
Do you make money from Poetry, if yes tell us how?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Maybe I am not multi talented, maybe I need to exhaust myself before I die. Yes Yes Yes.
SPIC:
So tell us how?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Aside from few Stipends some event organisers provide when I grace their events, I get to organise Poetry event myself and see returns on Investment
SPIC:
Wow, can I be your P.A?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
But the whole part of making money with poetry comes with me adopting my Poetic skills as a Public Relations and Marketing Content Developer for Brands and also Social Media PR and Marketer for personalities, events, Brands and products; Though, I was once contacted for an Advertisement Voice Over meaning money comes from voice overs too as a Spoken Word Poet.
SPIC:
That's great strategy. Hmmm, am inspired
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Maybe.
SPIC:
Okay
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Yeah
SPIC:
Have you ever had your Poem criticized before, if yes, how,by who, when and where?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I get my poems criticized all time
SPIC:
Hmmm
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Because, Criticism is appreciation and appreciation can come either positively or negatively. So, I can't say this and this are those that have criticised me
SPIC:
Okay, I love that spirit, Can you share with us one of your Poem that was criticized and by who?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Yeah yeah
You would be having all my poems tonight oooooooooo
I think this last question is no more necessary coz, I had answered it
SPIC:
Okay, for now just tell us the title of the Poem
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Which poem?
SPIC:
Any of your Poem criticized, tell us the title and how it's was criticized
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Read this again
SPIC:
Okay.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I get my poems criticized all time, Because, Criticism is appreciation and appreciation can come either positively or negatively.
SPIC:
Oh, all times.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
So, I can't say this and this are those that have criticised me. Yeah yeah
SPIC:
Okay noted. Tell us of your best movement ever as a poet.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
That was when I performed the first Spoken Word in my school, "A minute silence" and the crowd almost turned to a river of tears.
SPIC:
Hmmmm, I imagined how it was.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Thanks. I made my colleagues and lecturers proud this day in 2015. Plus, I introduced Spoken Word to the system, which led to organizing the first Spoken Word and Soul Music event in MAPOLY, Empowered By Words Season 1.
SPIC:
Now I pronounce you DON JAMES!!
When did you realized you wanted to be a poet (writer)?.
Can you brief us little about it?.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
C'mon. You like stories o
Okay, It happened I was a group leader for an Entrepreneurship project in school, that's my second year in school
SPIC:
Yes oo, Okay.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Having given a lot of myself to the success of the product which was a Stage Drama, the first of its kind in MAPOLY, that student would pick a stage drama for an Entrepreneurship project
SPIC:
Nice one thanks for sharing
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I was so enthusiastic about the success but, 60% of my group members were nonchalant, they liteirally behaved as I was the only one that would be awarded at the end of the day
SPIC:
What is the measure of success as a poet?. Don't mind them.What is the measure of success as a poet?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
C'mon, I'm still on my story.That's a bad habit of an interviewer.
SPIC:
Haaaa, am sorry ,thought you were through
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
You've got to listen to me before moving to the next question. Read again, does the story seem to have ended?
James Conco Pt: Back to my story
SPIC:
Okay boss, time constraints. Depending on the reader, to me that was brief enough.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
The story wasn't complete Ma. Because, whenever I call them for rehearsals, they would give excuses of going to tutorials or the library. Even up to the day the supervising lecturer came to inspect our rehearsal for final approval, they delayed that I was scolded by him
Well, at the end of the day, having reawaken Ulcer due to late meals during the project, I was totally exhausted that I almost go unconscious on getting home.
SPIC:
Hmmm, listening, Really?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
So, I revived myself with Matina (in Odunlade's voice) Pelu Miliki alagolo. Yeah yeah, and you didn't want to listen. I need to tell you guys so as to know where I was coming from.
SPIC:
(laughed)
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
So, after taken that, the next thing I did instead of sleeping was to start writing my travails in lines of Poetry,Thank Good Poet Bada is here.
SPIC:
Okay.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
While I was writing it, Sir Bada came to visit me to congratulate me on the success of our project as one of the leading roles in the stage drama, that he met me scribbling for the first time. The next thing he said was, "James!!! You mean you wrote all these lines on a straight approach"?. And I said yes.
SPIC:
You sighted SPIC BADA, you will pay Fine - one trillion naira only.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Then, it was over 60 lines.
SPIC:
Hmmm
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
So, he concluded I must join WRR on Facebook.
SPIC:
Okay, what an angel?.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
He introduced me to WORDS RHYMES AND RHYTHMS, I started familiarizing with them, then I got to meet Kukogho Iruesiri Samson too the curator of the group
SPIC:
Okay.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Basically, Sir Bada discovered me that day as a potential Poet, and I launched fully, officially December 2013.
Summarily, I started Poetry out of frustration. I became of Poet through sadness. I realized I'd become a Poet in 2013.
SPIC:
Okay, you've really come a long way
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
To me, the measure of success as a Poet is when your impact has been felt physically. I just answered your next question.
SPIC:
Hmmm, that's the fact. Not how far but how well, Yeah
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Yeah yeah. Are we through now?
SPIC:
James, tell me if I approach and I say to you, " please sir can you teach me how to write poems?" What will be your answer, in another way, tell you how do you begin a poem?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Hehehehe, Well, we've got two questions up there.
SPIC:
Asking" are we through now is a very bad habit of an interviewee. It's even poisonous.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
It's never a bad habit.
SPIC:
(laughs) there you go
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Let me pick them one after the other
SPIC:
Okay
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Nope, you delayed. You refused to give an iota of continuity,
SPIC:
Really?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Well, asking me how to write a poem. I would ask the person, what do you understand as Poetry. The person's definition would lead me to what I'd say next, Though, often, I get to tell people having given me the response to my question on what their definition of poetry is, to go and study the nitty-gritty of poetry, That is, the rudiments of Poetry. Then, tell them to read Poets of yore
SPIC:
Hmmm
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Meanwhile, for one to retrieve these steps from me, we'd have got to have a kinda relationship that allows me to study the person. So, the arrangement I'd use for enquirer A might be different from that of enquirer B. Summarily, what I'm saying is, writing poetry comes from within
SPIC:
Wow.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I can't teach you how to write poetry, I can only show you how to.
SPIC:
Hmmm
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Second question, I begin my own poetry in various ways
SPIC:
Okay
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I've written some pieces that, I got their last lines first While, I've written most poems that I got their first lines first.
SPIC:
Don James on point!.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Likewise some, it's only the idea that pops into my head, and I get to develop words for. Now, the duration of words development for me varies, I've written a poem of 1 year, 1 week, 10mins, 4 hours etc. Generally, all been attached to how LIFE brings them about.
SPIC:
Okay
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Yeah.
SPIC:
It's being nice having you around.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Okay Okay Ma.
SPIC:
So what words do you have for Speaking Pen International Concept(SPIC Family) who nominated you to be interviewed.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Well, they should continue doing what they know how to do best. Their last input is not their best. Focus is key. Knowing yourself is paramount. Chasing more horizons should be your Mantra.
SPIC:
That advice is rich, thanks. What is your advice to Poet looking up to you?.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
You welcome
SPIC:
Thanks.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
They should take their eyes off me and see beyond where I've not gotten.
SPIC:
Hmmm another rich, heartmelting advise. I feel like staying here with you all through the night but nature will fail me, before we let you go, we will like you to attend to some questions
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Much
SPIC:
So my Seamless PENist, it's question time
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
No problem.
SPIC:
Thanks.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
You are welcome. Shoot
SPIC:
Do anyone have questions?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I think my namesake got something. He's typing since 1884(laughed).
SPIC:
Hmmm please let's wait for him
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Sure. I was once like that too
FIRST QUESTION: Jamesconco my main man.(WWR-I am one of you) my question.....Do spoken word poetry really have style or is just about telling stories?.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Hmmm
SECOND QUESTION: Sir James, of course having you here was or is fantastic..
My question is does it make any sense when one just starts writing without a specific topic in mind and maybe develop one along the line?
THIRD QUESTION: My own question is, do u cram the spoken words?.
SPIC:
Please o don't kill our guest with questions
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Firstly, let me make you understand that, everything that was coined for this generation to base their thoughts and actions on weren't dropped from heaven, they were propounded or formed by men, amongst which "style" is a word, an action and a form of something. What do I mean to say is, the moment I do my poetry regularly and you see me in it, you can call it "Jamesconco's style". Though, we have already established styles but, there is no way I won't portray one or two attributes of an established style.
So, simply put, Spoken Word has a style, mostly story telling, I've got some styles I denoted from people like: 'Rhetorics', 'Proverbial Approach', 'Attribution' etc.
Presently, maybe if I check knowledge databases, I might find styles of Spoken Word or due to my negligence/ego mixed with ignorance, I've not had the chance to check for various styles of Spoken Word aside Story Telling.Have I answered your question?
RESPONSE: YES.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Sir James, of course having you here was or is fantastic..
My question is does it make any sense when one just starts writing without a specific topic in mind and maybe develop one along the line?
####FORTH QUESTION: my question is , is there a special way or technique of writing spoken words poetry
Definitely, it does make a great sense to write without a title at hand then, develop it during or after or even end up calling your poem "untitled" like many established poets do. Unto the next question
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
My own question is, do u cram the spoken words?..
Yes, I cram my Spoken Word first then, know them by heart so that, if I'm called on from sleep, I can recite any of my poems.
FIFTY QUESTION: As we know Poetry requires Rhyming pattern to some extent, does it necessarily mean poems must have an end rhyme?.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
As we know Poetry requires Rhyming pattern to some extent, does it necessarily mean poems must have an end rhyme? NO NO NO. That's why we have blank verses and Free verses. Read more on those, have I answered your question?.
RESPONSE: Yeah, u did.. Thanks
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Though, during my study on Blank and Free Verses, I came across the fact that, those that invented free verses were too lazy to form a rhyme pattern so, they ended up creating the two. But, I defended them as a chronic blank and free verser that, they are never lazy, they are just too brilliant to lose their messages to mankind for Rhymes sake.
SPIC:
Wow wow wow, James you've really done well. I pray God gives you more insight to write
SIXTH QUESTION: My mind is messy with this question right now...how do you manage your words to suit your writing?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
Amen ooo!!!, My mind is messy with this question right now...how do you manage your words to suit your writing?
Yes Yes Yes, Poems without suitable words are craps.
Now, let me clear this, there are no standardized words for particular poems. It's just that, there are different "Registers" for each idea in a poem. So, it is this ideas that would make you look out for the appropriate words to carry them out. Meaning as a poet, you must have the reception of many words on various fields. You can't be talking about a metaphor of a dead soldier and be using the registers of a carpenter. You didn't ask the question oo, Now, the art in poetry now demands you should do unusual coinage of words to make popular things uncommon and uncommon things popular
SEVENTH QUESTION: my question is , is there a special way or technique of writing spoken words poetry"?
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
There are no special ways, you only make yours special to your listeners but, there are established techniques of story telling or let me say Spoken Word like articulation of thoughts, right placement of words and verses, effective suspense, aligning Rhymes and reasonable rhythms etc.
Any more questions??
SPIC:
We are no longer going to take questions. Okay, it's been nice having you around, I enjoyed every bit of your words
Yes Don James is through with us. It's being a wonderful, insightful, enlightened, sweetened period.
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
I hope you find my thoughts useful.
SPIC:
I appreciate my special guest for honouring our invitation. I pray host of Heaven will surround him with favour
POET JAMES ADEMUYIWA:
It's really nice to be here.Thanks for having me.
SPIC:
And to my active member I pray we will all get to the peak of Poetry and we will all break records. Till we come your way again, we SPIC Interview Unit says good night.
GENERAL RESPONSE FROM ACTIVE MEMBERS:
Night!!!!.
HOST: Spic Abigail, of SPIC Family.
Other active SPICs during the interview session:
Sunday Abegunde, Mirzadekunme, Diamog, Kimberly Smit, Withoutwax, Tersemann, Muyi,Winlade, Tolulope Impact,Naporo,Kola,Nseobong Umoh,chimeziebright,Iyanda, Elemide Benjamin, PhEor, Hal-B-, Sareeta, Abdul Hakim, Lawrence, Debby Eminent, Emaculate,Sir A-One, Olusesi Kehinde,Chechyn, Andreas, etcetera.
Compiled by:
Spic Abigail .
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