Poetry
The poet & #Merky Books winner uplifting a generation
Monika Radojevic in conversation — After co-winning Stormzy’s publishing imprint’s inaugural New Writers’ Prize, the 25-year-old is gearing up for the release of her debut poetry collection – an urgent book about identity, ancestry and history.
Written by: Beatrice Tridimas
Caleb Femi and Athian Akec in conversation
Voices of a generation — The 17-year-old activist and politician Athian Akec speaks to Caleb Femi about his book, 'Poor' – a collection of poems exploring the strife and joys of young Black boys in 21st century Peckham.
Written by: Athian Akec
The Black poets breathing life into contemporary Britain
True to word — Lola Christina Alao explores the Black British poetry scene, looking at how a generation of young voices are making sure their experiences are heard.
Written by: Lola Christina Alao
‘UK punk got politicised and became rubbish very quickly’
John Cooper Clarke on NYC — A young wordsmith fascinated by American culture, John Cooper Clarke couldn’t wait to get to New York. Today, the 70-year-old poet looks back on his time there – from the performances to the drugs.
Written by: Jonathan Turton
Sylvia Plath’s visual art is celebrated in new exhibition
Uncovered treasures — The poet’s secret artistic talents are unearthed for a new show at Washington D.C’s Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
Written by: Dominique Sisley
The journalist smashing your stereotypes of the American South
Understanding Alabama — In 'Whitman, Alabama,' Jennifer Crandall mixes documentary and poetry to introduce a radical idea: we should all get to know one another a little better.
Written by: Marta Bausells
The unsung female heroes of the Beat Generation
Voices in the attic — Was the Beat Generation just one big sausage party? Or were there women writers too? Bill Cotter celebrates the repressed female voices of 1950s America.
Written by: Bill Cotter
The poet-turned-hero fighting for her country's future
Speaking up for silenced voices — Ketty Nivyabandi was a little-known Burundian poet until she led a dangerous protest against her country's president. But becoming an unlikely leader meant having to flee for her life. Now she's campaigning from afar.
Written by: Alex King
The sculptor who conjures work from light and darkness
A mastery of materials — Artist Rubén Fuentes takes us on a poetic and philosophical journey through his creative process.
Written by: HUCK HQ
Busdriver on self-deprecation and the uplifting power of rap
Poetry, protest and Perfect Hair — LA rapper Busdriver is doing hip hop his own way: self-managing a slow-burning but immensely credible career.
Written by: Cormac O'Brien
The untold story of the forgotten grandfather of rap
Documentary shines light on Hustler's Convention — Jalal Mansur Nuriddin aka Lightnin' Rod's pivotal album Hustler's Convention set the template for hip hop to come - but it disappeared underground and his contribution was never acknowledged. Now filmmaker Mike Todd is helping put the record straight.
Written by: Alex Robert Ross
Where are all the radical poets?
Metaphors and molotovs — Poet Aaron Fagan speaks to Commune Editions, a radical poetry press formed during the Occupy, anti-tuition fee and Black Lives Matter protests in California's Bay Area.
Written by: Aaron Fagan