BLAM!! Empress Imani (volume 1 contributor) captivates, blessing Bristol Old Vic with style, content and pure soul, embracing her "chance to shine - the love and respect was appreciated. Such experiences help performers grow significantly - spread our wings and hopefully fly," she reported, and did she fly - in no hurry to return Up-North, all round a superb, vibrant and relevant spoken work poet. Joel Douglas also appeared and never fails to deliver, even on off days he connects as his conviction cuts through. All acts and local celebs who appeared helped to create an intimate and ambient atmosphere. "The best night with multi-talented performers I've been to in a while, who I'd like to see again." Jayne Saul-Patterson - UWE. Humongous shout to UJIMA CIC for inviting our involvement, and for a smashing new concept for this generation. And thanks to Bristol Old Vic. If you missed it, look out for the Ujima Radio reload (TBA soon).

Plus 16.06.18 UWC associates spread the love at Bristol's REFUGEE FESTIVAL, including (reppin' the youth with wonderful words) SINAIRIE, KALILA, then DEASY BAMFORD (with an impromptu reading) and  GUIRE (the songful soul)  took us on a poetic journeys of faith in humanity. What can we say, you have to see them live to get the whole picture. Thanks to United Communities for recognising the contribution we can make. With another fresh line up catch us, then HARBOURSIDE Festival 2018.. then at REDFEST (Saturday 4th Aug)..

Thanks to Freelancers and UWC members Dylan Romeo and Wizdom Collins Urban Word Collective can now present some stunning taster footage of what we've been up to.  We're hoping to complete a documentary longer term... So 1st up is Lyrically Justified - Speaks Volumes from Hamilton House back in November, featuring some powerful performers, from Miles Chambers to Chloe Rose Laing, Lawrence Hoo to Nadinne Dyen, Edson Burton to Jasmine Ketibuah, and others, with special thanks to Co-resist, Ujima Radio, DMAC - UK and ACE.  Please leave a comment, or support our cause by buying books. We are known to host free  community showcases and want to pay Poets expenses, and occasionally  professional fees. See & hear more tasters from Waterstones featuring Karabo Moruakgomo aka KB, Dareece James, Tom Burgess and others. Witness Lyrically Justified Fitness building a presence on YouTube. If you like pls subscribe. Info is power but true info is People Power, Black and White Power, Superpower... "We are Lyrically Justified" 

Blessing the stage was Joel Douglas with poetry and song, Anndeloris Chacon, Karabo Moruakgomo aka KayB (Poetry & Song), Deasy Bamford, Nia Bimkubwa (Poetry & Song), Rob Mitchell (mostly contributors to Lyrically Justified books)... Thanks to DMAC UK and Diverse Artists Network for the opportunity: It was buzzing - the energy, the passion, the diversity, the unity, as photos show. 

At Vitality Bristol we presented another superb line up to add to the eclectic community festival vibes, with live music, drum circle and Carnival workshops. Lyrically Justified featured //Kabbo Ferdinand drumming and chanting a soothing intro, Sinairie and Kalila (local under 16s), Nia Bimkubwa, Guire, Nell, Rob Mitchell & Anndeloris. and the more established community poet Lawrence Hoo.  Oh and we met the immovable Akala, Poetic, Rapper and Artivist cousin of ours.

 Thanks to the Vitality Crew, all Poets involved, Volunteers - Eshiva (love.light) Wright & Laura Mckeown, not forgetting the warm crowd. Hosts were Shaun Clarke & //Kabbo Ferdinand. Photos by Mike Steel (Vitality) and Harry Pugsley (Cool Corner). 

Following two Bristol based launch events at Waterstones and Hamilton House ft an array of splendid poets, (& with thanks to partners), it's fair to say we're tasting success, and of course we're quite ambitious. Although we're planning Launches in all the big cities including Leeds, Manchester, London, Hull, now comes the online Launch. And obviously we're counting on you. With your investment in a book, we believe we can establish this platform in all it's potential glory, so please check the Website, get the book, and let's make this happen. Many thanks for being a part of this movement and we'll catch up soon at space near you... BUY HERE

Joel Douglas aka Splitz P, Dareece James, Tom Burgess & Anne Marina Chacon make waves - photos by Nicole Gehle

THIS IS A FREE EVENT BUT PLS RSVP WITH WATERSTONES OR OBTAIN AN
​INVITATION FROM FEATURED POETS/URBAN WORD COLLECTIVE ​

PRE-ORDER LYRICALLY JUSTIFIED 2 - ARKBOUND
​                           Or search for Lyrically Justified on Amazon                         
LyricallyJustified.co.uk

Lawrence Hoo (featured in Volume 2)does his thing at Lyrically Justified Speaks Volumes - Hamilton House 29th October. The next Bristol based Launch Event will be at Waterstones, Saturday 27th January 7-9pm 2018, and will be FREE with an invitation or if you RSVP with Waterstones. 

This and next year contributors to both volumes come together in different cities, including Leeds, Hull, Manchester, London & Bristol. A Bristol based event 
(with song and dance) is due this October, Sunday 29th, with another (FREE ENTRY) Bristol based launch taking place at Waterstones (The Galleries) on Saturday 27th January 2018  7-9pm (with more details to come).

Lyrically Justified – volume 2

PRESS RELEASE (May 5th 2017)
Crowd Fund Campaign (May – June 2017)

As in the first book diversity remains essential to this second instalment of this urban poetry anthology. Due to published in September 2017.

Part sponsored by Bristol based publisher Arkbound, in partnership with others and with the support of Ujima Radio, the inherently eclectic Urban Word Collective has launched a Crowd Funding Campaign to produce Lyrically Justified (Volume 2), featuring UK based writers from diverse cultural and artistic backgrounds, a unique opportunity and collection exposing some of the best talent of our time. 7% of book proceeds will be given Leeds Young Authors.

Compiled by Shaun Clarke, free from offensive language, this is an anthology born of struggle and perseverance, from authors who know the highs and lows of our society, inspired by conviction and the ability to see beyond surrender. From inequalities and immigration to identity, heritage and hope, this book is current, of present hearts and minds, and promises to be thought provoking for the masses.
“They Champion causes, not for domination but for resolution… Urban Artists, they search for truth in light of wisdom and creativity.” Of the 1st volume Khadijah Ibrahiim said of the first Volume,
​“from the stage to the page - their work speaks of society, personal experience, struggle, freedom and rights…”
While all 25 plus poets so far are UK based, this is poetry from a variety of perspectives and they herald from Bristol, Hull, Leeds, London and Manchester, with Miles Chambers, Rebecca Tantony, Nattylyn Jeffers, Splitz P, Charmain Ugq Lawrence, Sukina Owen Douglas, Young Rhodsie, EmfyahSiS Mc,  Mama D, Solomon OB, Zodwa Nyoni, Kabbo Ferdinand, Dareece James, Caroline Teague,  Meshach.R.Brencher, Shareefa Energy, Ricky Venel Stone, Hannah Teasedale, Alyx Tamminen, Lauren Living Harrison, Steve Deegan, Kelly Boyle, Lawrence Hoo, Kerri Butterworth, Daniel Burtram, Russ Litten, Lucy Clark and Alexia Lindsay, Nathaniel Superbeastmode & Koel Mukherjee.
Each writer is acclaimed to some extent and with encouragement and support will shine on. Google any of the named contributors listed to experience what they are capable of.
To further promote the book Writers will appear at local events including The Great Youth Debate 6th (London).and National Writing Day on the 21st June in Bristol (with more to come).
Following a successful campaign the book is due to be released through Arkbound, Amazon, online, and in various bookshops.
To support the campaign please visit; http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/lyrically-justified-volume-2 by the end of June 2017.
http://lyricallyjustifiedvolumes.weebly.com/
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