Inspector Gadget coat. Dark hat. Slinks around like a cold cat. Dope rhymes, phat nouns. Defending women, dismissing clowns. On that grind like white on rice. Hushing haters, muting mice.
Vox against violence and the State’s new cars. No stranger to Brandberg and local bars. Beard on blast like Wolverine. Looks fifteen when he shaves it clean. The man in black at every show. He’s Playshis the Poet.
Best act like you know.
It’s been seven years since Playshis first took to the Spoken Word stage to recite what had been percolating in his head in response to dreams, reality and the state of the nation. Fast forward to 2014 after some goading, a few special requests as well as women wailing from assorted front rows and Playshis is set to step up and out as a headlining artist in ‘Press Play – A Wordsmith’s Journey Through the Arts’.
Not only a regular performer but an avid supporter of the arts, some artists like theatre maven Sandy Rudd have come to see Playshis as a bit of a talisman. A good luck charm who blesses shows simply by being the one person you can count on to show up.
Admired equally for his own talent and his support of others, it comes as no surprise that his first one man-show will be featuring an array of the hottest performers in the city, all eager to add some fuel to Playshis’ poetic fire at the Warehouse Theatre next week.
Roll call for ‘Press Play’ includes dancers slash actresses slash uber babes Tulimelila Shityuwete and Odile Muller who are fresh off the lauded ‘Anima’ stage amidst rave reviews.
Power poets Okin and Mark Mushiva from imminent hip-hop outfit Black Vulcanite are also in the mix in what is sure to be a war of words with kooky comedienne, Weezil, weighing in for some levity.
Mega talents and award-winning musicians Christian Polloni and Steffen List will be incorporating the edgy and eclectic while Sean K brings the soul and Tapz Munya busts out the beat on percussion. Last and hardly least is fellow Spoken Wordsmith Nunu ‘Truth’ Namises whose collaboration Playshis simply describes as “a long time coming”.
In terms of what to expect, Playshis says weaving poetry through the disciplines of music, drama, dance, comedy and visual art is certainly challenging but that doesn’t mean it won’t be hot.
“I personally think that poetry can link with almost any discipline. One might not see it at first but once you accept the challenge to add poetry to another element to create something powerful, it eventually forms into what you envisioned. There is no limit to art,” says Playshis.
Citing the show’s themes as anger, realism, love, comedy, frustration, romance, sadness and happiness, Playshis is certain that ‘Press Play’ is the full package and a departure from what people have seen him do at Spoken Word.
“It’s different as it focuses on my journey through the arts, through writing and through growing as a performer. You will see me in a lot of collaborations in this show which is something I have not done a lot of yet. The content is personal yet relatable and will be delivered in a different, more creative and expressive way, as opposed to what you might have seen from me at a Spoken Word show in the past,” says Playshis.
“We’re going to give you an event. Not just a poetry recital. It is going to be a performance. It is special because this is not the type of show that you see every day, every week, every month or every year.
It is special because I will be joined by special people who believe in me and who believe that this will be a special show.”
And now for a word from his conspirators… um … collaborators on why they got involved:
Playshis is one of the gentlest souls I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I love his ethos and I love not only the delivery but the content of his work. As soon as he mentioned a collaboration I jumped at the chance, it’s always a pleasure to work with those you love and respect as artists.
I like what Playshis does and also I want to involve myself in poetry more because I love it. We’ll be performing two poems together and it will be very special.
Playshis is a great charismatic poet and I like that about him. He is an honest guy and he doesn’t apologise for some of his rants in his poetry. You can expect a musical-poetic collaboration between the two of us. Come to the show and see for yourself!
Playshis has a good heart that speaks of relevant things. He does so eloquently and truthfully – he has a voice of a unified people, which is what Namibia needs and that is something I want to support. I like his sincerity. His feet are solid on the ground every time I see or speak to him. He is not disillusioned by bullshit. I aim to harmonise with his voice and his message.
I really enjoy Playshis’ work and talent. Also, he is such a great guy. I think you can expect something different – with acting as my art. I’m excited myself! It’s going to be amazing to see Namibian talent combined and celebrated like that.
Playshis is one of the few poets that can be honest but not necessarily full of himself – an elusive balance for most poets. Expect poetry about beautiful women delivered in cat voices.
Playshis and I have always joked around about the thought of doing a two-man poem, mostly to see how the intricacies and different styles of writing poetry we use could coincide, and this show is the perfect opportunity to do just that but with a little bit extra as it is a performance and not just a written piece.
