me - all i do is write but i'm keen to collaborate...
My Podcast
Influences
kwame nkrumah (if you haven't read him, you haven't begun to understand the institutions of poverty and exploitation), stevie wonder, wulomei, wyclef jean, a.b. crentsil (you really should check this guy out!), patrice lumumba, ?uestlove, sunrise, efua sutherland, marcus miller (a true don!), james baldwin, kakaiku, nightfall, fela, nesta marley, joni mitchell, mos def, egya koo nimo, langston hughes, aerosmith, osibisa, donny hathaway, atukwei okai, bobby womack, satchmo (po from earth, rose with the weed smoke, funded mlk, master in the art of subterfuge...), roy ayers, mazisi kunene, nina simone, kontomire aka palaver sauce (go to a GH restaurant and order some - i promise you'll write a dope line afterwards), guy warren, tribe called quest, brendan behan, erykah badu (mama's gun & live are my albums), jewel ackah, bessie smith, charlie mingus, muhammad ali, kwegyir aggrey, w.b. yeats, ayi kwei armah (crazy plots!), aretha franklin, pat thomas (another highlife genius), minnie ripperton, groundnut soup, marvin gaye, sekou sundiata, matsuo basho, prince, john coltrane, bill withers
new mid-section:people whose voices i love and would buy their albums even if they sang the list of dead us soldiers from iraq aretha franklin, luther vandross, jeffrey osbourne, natalie cole, rachelle ferrell, john lee hooker, erykah badu, prince, donny hathaway, dee dee bridgewater, anita baker, robert cray, george benson, nina simone, cassandra wilson, lizz wright, smokey robinson, marvin gaye, nat king cole, dianne reeves...
i'll continue in my head but i'll end here for now...
Nii Ayikwei Parkes writes poetry, lyrics, prose and articles. Former Poet-In-Residence at the Poetry Café, he is the author of three poetry collections; eyes of a boy, lips of a man (1999) and M is for Madrigal (2004) and the self-published shorter (2005), which is a vehicle to raise money for a writers' fund in Ghana. Nii also co-edited the groundbreaking Tell Tales Volume I short story anthology with Courttia Newland and regularly edits x magazine.
A versatile performer who is not afraid to 'act the fool' on stage, Nii has performed all over the world on major stages like the NuYorican in New York, The Royal Festival Hall in London, Java in Paris and Paradiso in Amsterdam as well as at festivals such as the Lancaster Literature Festival and the Austin International Poetry Festival. He completed a sell-out six-week tour of the United States in 2002, followed by a US West Coast tour in 2004. His accolades include finalist in the 2000 Unisong International Songwriting Competition for his song "The Sweetest Minute", sung by Yaa Asantewa Ofori, a 2003 Arts Council Award for his just completed novel, The Cost of Red Eyes, the 2003 and 2004 Farrago Best Overall Poetry Performance Award, and a high commendation in the 2004 New Writer Short Story Prize for his story, "Scotch Bonnets."
Nii is currently associate Writer-In-Residence on BBC Radio 3 and is the featured face for poetry in the 2004 Time Out London Guide. He was recently awarded an AHRC Grant for his MA Creative Writing degree at Birkbeck College.
Brotha Nii! It's been far too long! And here in the States, as you may well know, it's National Poetry Month. I'd like to feature your poetiks on my page, in honor of this art we love so well.
Respect Nii on your dedication to poetry, very inspirational buddy, and great to see you blogging again. University is good and the Media is tricky along with English Language, however I remain positive. Just popped by to read your new post and wish you well. Best wishes Rob B.
Hi Nii, It was great meeting you at the Hague! I finally received my "eyes of a boy, lips of a man" (I had to order it from the UK since its not sold here in holland) Now I have read it I love your work even more.. Keep on writing, keep on performing!
Hello I was reading this months "The Liberal" and was very moved by your writing. Thank you... and I hope you are well.
For anyone who hasn't read the Liberal Nii's words from Ballast V are as follows,
Quite simply, genetic memory made metaphor, musical time stretched like currents, songs escaping to ribbon the sky; like a whipped hem of waves laying claim to the shore.
Hey Nii. Read your short story in African Writing. I've got myself a little book review there as well. Good to know you are so busy. Look forward to next AWE, November right?
Good seeing you last week in LA Nii. Sobriety was not on my side, but a citizen of the cosmos was; it's so easy to identify with words that do matter, keep speaking them.
BROTHATALK-SISTASPEAK X marks the spot, and the spot is Deptford: tonight a diverse line-up of poets from across the country converge on SE8 to celebrate Black History Month. London’s writers’ collective, Malika’s Kitchen, will be hosting the considerable talents of Tonya Bolton, Talking Tekla the Narrata, Sheree Mack, Abi Idowu and Native. An evening of well-honed words and excellent company.
When: Fri 5 October @ 8pm Where: The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG Tickets: £6 /£5 concs /£4 under-25s Box office: 020 8692 4446 / www.thealbany.org.uk
A CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL!!! A special two-day event, will bring together an unprecedented number of Gospel artists from the UK on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October at Hackney's premier live music venue - Ocean.
Celebration of Gospel Music brings to the forefront the rich heritage; past, present and future of Gospel music.
In honour of the great sounds of Gospel music CGM presents a spectacular event of history, education and powerful songs that will create an atmosphere of excitement, liveliness, audience participation and an uplifting experience through sounds of ranging vocals, breathtaking performances and live music.
Thanks for adding us. Please support our production "Nobody Knows" showing at the Drum theatre in Birmingham - 25-29 and at the Shaw theatre in London - 5th -7th October.
Academy of Soul will be representing again, and there will be a couple more performances too -
So join us for another Immaculate Sunday, this Sunday 5th August 2007 @ The Wall, Liverpool St.
For all the West African and people who love to dance to Hip and Hi life there will be a special set just for you - come and party in the Sun with us TODAY!
Hey music lovers!
Don't forget to check out our next event this Tuesday. We've some wicked artists chosen for your listening pleasure!
Featuring:
Kindred Collective
Lurine Cato
Adisa
Heather Talyor
Zara Mcfarlane
& many more!!!
Admission: FREE!!!
Poems on the Underground African Poems on the Underground - from June 2007
The new set of poems by African poets will be displayed on the London Underground from June 2007.
'Tin Roof' by Nii Ayikwei Parkes, b.1974, Ghana. Ayikwei Parkes is a poet, editor and performer who lives in London. Read his biographical and bibliographical details on the Contemporary Writers website. xoxoXOXOxoxo Soulful Woman-UK
