The winner of the Once Upon a Time Poetry Slam, was Neil Basu. Today, I sat down with him, searching for some insight into the charismatic man who swept away the competition in the April Poetry slam.
So, who is Neil Basu, and how did he get into the Singapore Poetry Slam?
Well, I came here about a year ago from New York, and figured that I'm here with a blank slate. I'd always been interested in spoken word, all the way back from my college days. I used to act in plays, Shakespearean plays, and that's where my interest in spoken word stems from.
As for how I got into the Slam here, I literally Googled "Singapore Poetry Slam," and landed myself at the Blu Jazz Cafe. My first time at the Slam, I was picked to be a judge, and after a few more times watching, I signed myself up!
How did you feel about winning?
Wow, this time it was very intense! All the other poets, including my fellows on the podium, were fantastic! All our slam styles were different, and I was a bit worried, because they were all just so good!
Finally, any advice for people looking to give slamming a shot?
I have just two pieces of advice. 1) Just sign up! 2) practice in front of your honest friends.
Now, let me explain. Sometimes you want to write, but don't quite have the time, and so you're a bit put off signing up. But, if you just sign up, sometimes you get pressured into writing something, y'know? The fear of God makes for good inspiration!
Secondly, practice. Not just for having practiced your pieces, but to have Honest people workshop it for you, give you advice on if it's too long or too complicated, and then you fix it. It helps you avoid feeling this on stage, and feeling a bit flustered on stage.
Thanks for the time Neil, and we hope to see you at the next next slam :)
If you didn't manage to catch Neil, please enjoy the snippet we have above, and do come to our next slam!
So, who is Neil Basu, and how did he get into the Singapore Poetry Slam?
Well, I came here about a year ago from New York, and figured that I'm here with a blank slate. I'd always been interested in spoken word, all the way back from my college days. I used to act in plays, Shakespearean plays, and that's where my interest in spoken word stems from.
As for how I got into the Slam here, I literally Googled "Singapore Poetry Slam," and landed myself at the Blu Jazz Cafe. My first time at the Slam, I was picked to be a judge, and after a few more times watching, I signed myself up!
How did you feel about winning?
Wow, this time it was very intense! All the other poets, including my fellows on the podium, were fantastic! All our slam styles were different, and I was a bit worried, because they were all just so good!
Finally, any advice for people looking to give slamming a shot?
I have just two pieces of advice. 1) Just sign up! 2) practice in front of your honest friends.
Now, let me explain. Sometimes you want to write, but don't quite have the time, and so you're a bit put off signing up. But, if you just sign up, sometimes you get pressured into writing something, y'know? The fear of God makes for good inspiration!
Secondly, practice. Not just for having practiced your pieces, but to have Honest people workshop it for you, give you advice on if it's too long or too complicated, and then you fix it. It helps you avoid feeling this on stage, and feeling a bit flustered on stage.
Thanks for the time Neil, and we hope to see you at the next next slam :)
If you didn't manage to catch Neil, please enjoy the snippet we have above, and do come to our next slam!
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