Captured by the featured shutterbug, Koa, these were images of beautiful women and walls crawling with graffiti and joyous children. The big fella believes his style has the ability to “shoot and caption your pictures to tell a thousand words, but to also say those secrets that words fail to deliver.” Sam Buggz and Stella Nasambu made for a witty pair of MCs. The PA system may have failed once in a while, but perched on a high stool, eight rows deep into the crowd, their wisecracks caused ripples of laughter all around.

Typically, poetry and Spoken Word forums attract quite a few faux poets. Those whose works are little more than mushy love letters set to ridiculous rhyme schemes. Thankfully, this event suffered from little of that ilk. Veterans and newbies alike set the stage ablaze with their powerful and engaging recitations.

As many as twenty poets blessed the mike, including the bespectacled pair, El Poet and Samo “The Almighty”, who performed “The School Bell Rings”. A complex poem based on ambition, it featured a mish-mash of pop-culture references, irony and clever word play. Si ni Sisi employed words and movement for a compelling performance.

Kenyan poets Raya and Adelle were among the ladies of note, with poems touching on tragedy, love and revolution. Dempsey and The Boys made a handsome trio as they played what could only be defined as “cool, urban sounds.” Ndila on the other hand was simply soulful on her cover of Nigerian songstress Asa’s “Jailer” .

The next Wamathai event will take place on September 15th. Visit www.wamathai.com closer to the date for venue information