13 Fairy Negro Tales (Mouthmark)

In a language scooped directly from a paintbrush, Inua Ellams announces his arrival on the poetry scene. His vibe is grainy as old vinyl with bumping beats between the lines. Extract: from 13 fairy negro tales Spokenword is like sex/ the more you listen/ the better it gets./ That’s why on long bus rides/ I close my eyes and try to hear drumbeats/ from Nigeria- the mother land calling./ I be like “yes mum, I’m hearing ya”/ It’s like some ciphered world/ with armies of sounds/ and underground cultures/ with talon-less vultures/ trying to pierce my skin/ and place talking drums within./ But Hip Hop takes over/ and my head bobs to the beat/ of a different soldier/ and it’s gotten colder/ on this side of thought/ ‘cause now/ I hear dreams money bought.