Here's Hoping with Jayda G Decolonising Through Poetry & Love with George The Poet
George shares how going to Cambridge and the fear of being stereotyped kickstarted his transition from Grime & rap to poetry, and why he never looked back due to the greater freedom he feels there is to talk on vulnerable topics in poetry. George talks about the impact of coming across black poets Def Poetry Jam and connecting to it emotionally instantly and why he feels poetry has maintained a grassroots quality compared to music because of the struggle to truly commercialise it. On this theme George talks about the process of writing his non-fiction book, Track Record, drawing on his PhD in understanding why, despite the huge commercial success of Black music, Black communities haven’t truly benefitted and been empowered by that success and unpacking how Colonialism and its continued presence is core to this. George also tells Jayda why he didn’t accept the MBE offered to him in 2019 and how it relates to Colonialism and being Ugandan, but conversely how writing a poem for Harry and Megan’s wedding opened him up to love and led him to falling in love with his wife shortly after. Jayda and George talk about marriage and George shares how partnership with his wife has helped him stay grounded as an artist.
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George the Poet is an award winning London-born spoken word performer and sociopolitical poet. George’s innovative brand of musical poetry has won him critical acclaim both as a recording artist and a social commentator. He is the author of multiple poetry books and the non-fiction book Track Record which explores the power dynamics that impact Black creativity. George is also the host of the podcast ‘Have you Heard George’s Podcast?’ which has won 5 British Podcast Awards! In 2019, George was offered an MBE, but turned it down due to due to the British Empire's history of exploitation. In 2021 The University of London presented George with an honorary doctorate in literature. George is now embarking on a PhD at UCL'S Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, focusing on the socio-economic potential of black music.
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