Briefly introduce yourself sir
FR33ZINPAUL:
I am Njoku Paul Chibuike Henry aka Fr33zinPaul. I hail from Ehime
Mbano in IMO state. A spoken word artiste, teacher, lover of children
and lover of life
CITADEL OF LIFE:
Nice. Sir may we know the meaning of NJOKU. The name is so filled with
native fragrance
FR33ZINPAUL:
It has different meaning. It depends on how you look at it. My people
tell me that it means "Ugly Fire"
CITADEL OF LIFE:
Hmmmm ugly fire. What a meaning. So tell us sir how you got the
sobriquet 'Fr33zinPaul'
FR33ZINPAUL:
People keep on asking me this question. Hmmm, nice question.
First of all, it is spelt "Fr33zinPaul"
I got the name while in junior secondary school. There was a trending
movie then called "Matrix Revolution" and in a scene in the movie, a
man with powers said "Freeze" in the middle of a busy street and
everyone froze leaving only him walking. I liked the scene so much
that whenever I was in the class, being the class prefect I used the
word "freeze to quiet the class. However, one day, a friend of mine
wanted to call me and called me Fr33zinPaul! He kept calling me the
name and in the long run, I felt it was a very cool name since I was a
young rapper then. That's is how I got the name even though my story
is long. Lol
CITADEL OF LIFE:
As a teacher what do you teach?
FR33ZINPAUL:
I teach literature, phonetics, government and English
CITADEL OF LIFE:
As a spoken word artiste how do you master your poems before performance?
FR33ZINPAUL:
I write it in a piece of paper. Take it around with me. Look at it
every now and then. I also record myself and listen to it every time.
It is always on replay. While even lecturing my student or students, I
use them as a mini audience. Most times I stay up late In the night to
master my piece
CITADEL OF LIFE:
Let's talk about poetry now. Are you a page poet as well
FR33ZINPAUL:
Honestly, am a page poet cos every spoken word artiste started from
writing on a paper. But doing spoken word is my forte so when it comes
to page poetry, am still and really learning
CITADEL OF LIFE:
When did you find yourself in the river of poetry?
FR33ZINPAUL:
I have been writing since I was in junior school but officially I
started late 2014 and since then till now, it has been creatively
awesome
CITADEL OF LIFE:
Sir from 2014 till now tell us what have been your achievement so far
FR33ZINPAUL:
My biggest achievement has been when a lady of about 65years met me in
Ibadan last year after my performance and said "Thank you for that
message, you will go places". Knowing that my piece pierced through
the heart of someone is a big achievement to me cos since it did to
that woman, it has been doing for others. Maybe they are too shy to
open up. I live everyday with an aura of achievements
CITADEL OF LIFE:
What are your challenges so far in the poetry and spoken word industry?
FR33ZINPAUL:
My challenge at first was trying to be someone Else. Trying to perform
like someone else. Trying to write like someone else. It was a big
challenge cos I always end up getting disappointed after a
performance. But I believe as a poet or spoken word artiste, you have
to be ORIGINAL. When you are original, nobody can can bring you down.
Another challenge is time, time to write and time to rehearse.
CITADEL OF LIFE:
An issue has been breaking blocks and splashing water on social media
like twitter, Facebook and whatsapp. The issue is ' don't date a
poet'. Kindly tell us about your view on this in a sincere way.
FR33ZINPAUL:
Simple, don't take a poet who has a temper, uncaring, flirty,
inconsiderate and all the negative things you can think of. If you see
a poet who has good attributes and you snub him and date another
person, if dem break your heart, I will write a poem for you and title
it 'NTOR!"
CITADEL OF LIFE:
What would be your First reaction to any one who pass a destructive
critic on your poem or performance without even giving you kudos for
courage you summoned while performing or writing
FR33ZINPAUL:
My first reaction will be goose bumps. In my mind I will be like "God
punish this guy o". This will be my reaction cos I am human. But I
will move on and perform more
CITADEL OF LIFE:
How many poems have you written if you're to count and tell us where
have they been published
FR33ZINPAUL:
Well none has been published yet except if a blog takes one's poem and
it is called publishing. I have written 50.
CITADEL OF LIFE:
Where do you see yourself in the next 2 years
FR33ZINPAUL:
In the next two years, I will be two years older. Lol. Should have
acquired more money in my bank account. Should have acquired more
knowledge academically. Should be closer to God and finally I would a
house hold name to reckon with in the world of poetry
CITADEL OF LIFE:
It's no longer a secret that Africans don't cherish spoken word
poetry. How do you think you can correct that impression?
FR33ZINPAUL:
I think Africans cherish it very well. It started with our fore
fathers when they did story telling. Now, i also know that Africans
don't like reading so when you deliver a piece and still want them to
check the dictionary before they understand your message, then there
is a problem. The only thing I can do now is to make my message
accessible to all by writing in simple words. When people can relate
to your spoken word piece, they will definitely cherish it
CITADEL OF LIFE:
What do you think spoken word and poetry promoters should implement to
hasten the widespread of spoken word and poetry just like music
FR33ZINPAUL:
They should seek for sponsors but sponsors won't come if we the spoken
word artiste don't up our game. Musicians are always in the studio,:
some recording thrash some recording good music. As spoken word
artiste we should write with originality and creativity. Promoters
like Tokunbo of great path, Mr Olulu and Komson are doing a great and
marvellous job. Spoken word has already taken over. Watch out
CITADEL OF LIFE:
To finalize sir. I'll love you to present to us one of your original
write up coined by you with your fr33zinPen
FR33ZINPAUL:
OK sir
I wanted to send one but I can't find it so let me send a very short one
FRIENDLY FOES
Friendly Foes,
They wink at you
Deceit beneath their smiles
Follow you around like a disciple
Wishing you well inside a well.
They scream:
"Success! Success!"
Whispering:
"Nonsense" "Nonsense"
Crew of vagabonds
Lies coated tongues.
Fr33zinPaul©
CITADEL OF LIFE:
Once again citadel of life warmly welcome you Fr33zinPaul with the Fr33zinPen
FR33ZINPAUL:
I am honoured
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