As part of World Book Day celebrations, around 50 Strode College students took part in an energy-fuelled creative writing workshop, delivered by professional rapper and poet Inja.
Inja shared his love of words, poetry and music with the Music and Performing Arts students during his inspiring creative writing workshop, where students were encouraged to list their ‘likes’, ‘hates’ and ‘aspirations’ before producing a piece of writing. See ‘aspiration’ poem by Extended Diploma Music student Sophie Bryan (from Yeovil and previously at Preston School), below – just one example of some of the fantastic poems written by the students.
Rapper and poet Inja also gave a fantastic live ‘emcee’ performance and a reading of some of his poems to students during their lunch break, before handing the mic over to Music Production student Jay Parsons (from Yeovil and previously at Buckler’s Mead), who performed one of his raps to the audience.
Following his performance, Inja was interviewed by Broadcast Media student Josh Perkins (from Aller and previously at Huish Episcopi Academy) and can be found on the college online radio station ‘Freq FM’.
The visit was funded by the educational team at Wells Festival of Literature. Spokeswoman Hilary Cain said: “We are delighted to bring Inja to Strode today. He is so engaging to watch and I find his use of words gripping!”
Inja said: “I started writing as a form of personal therapy when I was school. I have performed to crowds of 25,000 people, but I still prefer the smaller more intimate shows. For me it’s the joy of creating something brand new. It’s beautiful.”
Poem by Strode College student Sophie Bryan, Extended Diploma in Music.
Aspiration: To have enough money to take care of my parents
“The day the next gate opens to a sea of green
Will be the day I can buy my dad the guitar of his dreams.
My mum will cry with joy as the gate provides her with new luxuries for her home.
This is my gate of Green I’ll do as I please
To support me and my family’s needs.”