INTALK CONVERSATION: Praise Ayo-Oladapo Emphasizes The Inherent Essence And The Profound Depth The Messages In Spoken Word Convey

In this short interview, Praise reflected on the foundational principles of spoken word, therefore, emphasizing the inherent essence and, the profound

Praise Ayo-Oladapo Emphasizes The Inherent Essence And The Profound Depth The Messages In Spoken Word Convey

Praise Ayo-Oladapo Inioluwa's spoken word, Reminiscence, was shortlisted for the Pawners Paper's Spoken Word and Poetry Contest.

Praise Ayo-Oladapo Inioluwa is a final year law student at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. 

She is an orator per excellence. She emerged the best Speaker at Word-It 2023 Competition - an highly contestable inter-faculty debate competition in her school. Praise has equally stood out as an excellent speaker in many other competitions.

She is a spoken word artiste and a poet who has performed on different noble stages.

She is a lover of art, with a burning desire to keep expressing herself through the instrumentalilty of writing. She has the poetic and stage name "Deborah's Poetry".

Praise is currently an honourable in her faculty. She doubles as the Youth Advisor representing youths all over Nigeria and West Africa at the World Council of Churches, an international Christian Organization. This platform has availed her the opportunity to represent the continent in different countries, where she has been a voice for the plights of Youths in her region.

Praise is a lover of God.

In this short interview, Praise reflected on the foundational principles of spoken word, therefore, emphasizing the inherent essence and, the profound depth of the messages it conveys. She also shares some skills requisite for enhancing one's proficiency as a spoken word artist.

How does it feel to make the shortlist? Did you anticipate it? 

 

Whenever I give my totality to a thing, I expect nothing but positive outcomes, and this competition isn't an exception. I'm so elated I did. Thank you, Pawners Paper. 

 

What's the story behind your entry?—what inspired you to come up with the piece?

 

Hearing the word 'reminiscence', the only thing that came to mind was the reminiscence of the good old days of my country, Nigeria. I really, really missed them. And looking at the current happenings in the country, I was left with no other option than to express my feelings in a piece, and Pawners Paper availed me the opportunity to do so.

 

What would you describe as your best experience as a spoken-word artist?

 

Being a spoken word artist has not been an easy journey, especially in the aspect of memorization. My best experience was my first formal life performance; saying it all offhand for the first time without errors was awesome. 

 

What do you think are the skills that a spoken word artist must possess?

 

A spoken word artist is one who performs poetry, prose, or song with the voice. They use their voice and words to create a unique art form that is often called spoken art. The spoken word artist is not just someone who does speak art but also someone who uses their voice as a medium for artistic expression.

A spoken-word artist must possess a range of skills, including poetic writing, performance skills, emotional expression, rhythm and timing, storytelling, and stage presentation.

 

As a spoken-word artist who has garnered experience over the years, what would you say is the aspect of spoken word that captivates the audience more, and how well have you been able to utilize it?

 

The message it carries, your rhythm and timing, and, of course, your emotional expression. These three work hand in hand, and if one is missing, it waters down the entire presentation. 

I, as an individual, have been more intentional about this because spoken word goes beyond writing a great piece down but also requires being able to deliver it well and excellently.

 

Do you think there has been a direct or subtle shift from the standard and the ways literary works and spoken word are being perceived in their early days?

 

Yes, spoken word presently focuses more on rhythm than the quality message it ought to pass across. But notwithstanding, we have poets who still keep the standard and are portraying that so well. 

Beyond the rhythm is the message, so make it of high quality standard and relatable.

 

If there is, how has this affected society's reception and perception of them?

 

Once a spoken word does not carry a message relative to the society's needs, it definitely has no essence, and that's why spoken word in our days is still not as widely known as it should be. 

 

What is the power that you think the spoken word has over its audience?

 

It's like a magnetic power. There is this kind of strong effect it has on its audience, making them so glued to the artist that they even want more after he or she is done.

And as a result of the rhymes, it doesn't leave the memory easily, thereby imputing a lasting effect on them.