Brian Silweyz posing for a photo|Image Courtesy|
Brian Silwe Omondi alias Brian Silweyz is an urban spoken word artist, performing artist and human rights defender who has embraced advocacy through spoken art journals. He has risen through the ranks to get on top of the game.
Silweyz is not a new name in most of Nairobi routes since he embraces traveler activism in buses and matatus. You have heard of ‘story story come, story story story go,’ if yes, that is the slogan.
The Nyanza Review had a chat with Brian in the urge to find out what it feels like doing advocacy and activism through spoken word.
Brian underlined that his spoken word is an inspiration of real life happenings, making him easier to blend with his audience especially during The Gen Z demonstrations and other awareness events.
“My spoken word pieces are inspired by real life issues happening to me or what I see other people going through and how these problems are connected to the government of the day. This is based on three key things: the story of me, us and now. For instance, bad governance leads to corruption that leads to unemployment then to depression eventually leading to crime and drug abuse just to mention but also remember all oppressions are connected,” he noted.
Furthermore Brian outlined that doing spoken word is an art but it’s better if it’s going to ignite the audience to do better. Spoken word has to ‘inject’ knowledge into the listeners mind.
“I use spoken word to advocate for social change. Through my poetry, I champion for human rights equality and a just society for every individual. I write, record and perform pieces on social justice in stages, street poetry, concerts through media and sometimes I use unconventional ways like civic education in matatus with a friend called Willie Oeba on different routes and the aim is to take this message to where it matters the most and challenge them to elect better leaders, exercise their democratic rights and hold leaders accountable,” stated Brian.
Brian Silweyz performing in one of the advocacy events late last year|Image:Brian Silweyz|Facebook.
Spoken word can grow, grow and keep growing but only if we know the obstacles we are going to face. Brian believes that if media does better in giving platforms, then life as an urban spoken word artist could be easier but not just the media. Finance and the government are a challenge to expect for a spoken word artist
“Like any other genre spoken word has its ups and down but what keeps me going is to remember why I started, there a lot of people going through hard times in this country and it’s my responsibility to use my platform to amplify these voices regardless of the challenges I face,” asserted the spoken world artist.
He went further narrating how many do not align with his work, including the government, social media critics, some bloggers. He revealed that he has faced threats due to airing his views through his work of art.
“Sometimes people find your message too ‘hot’ for them to associate their brands with you, there is backlash from the government, operational funds to sustain your production, sometimes you get threats from bloggers and even attacks to downplay the work you produce,” admitted Brian.
Besides, he has also been gagged and censored by some media organizations, thereby compromising his efforts. He has, however affirmed that in order to thrash the provocations he faces, he has identified areas of counter attack.
“Another challenge is the censorship of some media that boosts a big challenge. To curb this, I create events to raise funds with the support of my community, merchandising, keeping safe by knowing your surrounding and associating with like minded organizations that champion for human rights,” he admitted.
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