Incy met three impressively formidable spoken-word poets yesterday. Each of these UK-based poets has a strong, unique voice, and she had the pleasure of seeing them perform live at the Southbank Centre in October 2025. All three poets were super kind and approachable and took time to speak with Incy and encourage her interest in poetry. Learn more about each poet below.
IAMTariq
Tariq is a spoken word poet whose work is social commentary through poetry. He is a key member of Flo Poets and Poetic Unity and co-founder of House of Vox. Tariq’s poetry has appeared in Word on the Curb and Poets Palace.
Tariq’s first two poems were political and social commentary, and he delivered his poetry with quiet force, making the audience pay attention from the outset.
His poem Mask You Line dealt with masculinity and mental health and is a much needed comment on a struggle that doesn’t receive as much attention as it should.
He next performed a poem that featured words using every letter of the alphabet – imagine an alphabet poem, every word thoughtfully chosen, yet for grown ups. Incy found the alphabet poem very clever.
Follow him on Instagram here @iamtariq
Blaize
Blaize Alexis-Anglin is a North London-based poet, performer, and storyteller. He has collaborated with Save the Children and works with House of Vox. Blaize says he is committed to storytelling that heals, remembers, and redefines.
Blaize’s poem Clean Air for the Ends was played to the audience via video, and it was a powerful poem about the environment and climate change.
Blaize’s last poem at this performance used clever wordplay, using a metaphor for religious worship into a love poem. His delivery as well as his words, as Tariq before him, hushed the audience in parts. At other points, he made us all laugh.
Follow him on Instagram here @myselfblaize
Tia Zakura
Tia Zakura Camilleri is a poet from Cardiff whose unique style focuses on social justice, merging poetry and rap.
Tia’s poem I am the Angry Black Woman accurately observed unjust societal labelling, used in order to remove agency. To this, she shrewdly states “we should all be angry”. Her second poem about her childhood experiences of bullying, including cruel comments about her beautiful, natural black hair, were saddening but Tia’s poem ended with positivity, self-love and authenticity in the face of racism.
Follow her on instagram here @tiazakura
The magic of performance poetry is connecting with the audience and each one engaged the audience throughout with little touches.
Poetic Unity
Each of these poets works with Poetic Unity, an organisation founded to bring poetry to black and black-mixed children and young people. A black-led charity that began 10 years ago, Poetic Unity describes itself as providing “spaces for learning, expression and joy through poetry…Our work centres the needs and experiences of the young people we support, recognising poetry as a therapeutic tool that unites and heals communities, celebrates identity and challenges injustice.”*
Its tagline is “Brixton to the world”, a positive and ambitious statement to spread its message and reach, from the diverse hub it originated in, to the international stage.
Incy met the founder of Poetic Unity, Ryan J. Matthews-Robinson, also known as Ragz-CV. Whilst Poetic Unity is based in London, its reach is far and it welcomes members from the black community, aged between 10-30, from all over the UK. Let your friends know about this supportive organisation which gives a way to connect with other black poets and also receive support for emerging or new poets.
Incy had her first substantive experience of spoken word at this event and she loved it.
(Some poetry may not be suitable for younger children, dealing with strong themes and language. Others suit all. Please look ahead before introducing children to new work).
*Words from Poetic Unity website