If poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, 23-year-old George Mpanga, aka George The Poet, has a lot of powerful feelings and knows exactly what to do with them. Already shortlisted for MTV UK’s Brand New 2015 and nominated for the Brits 2015 Critics’ Choice Award, the Island Records-signed singer-songwriter-poet is well and truly one to watch rise to the top and make a difference. It was only a few years ago that he realized his poetry could exist in the music world, something which he never looked back from. He has since collaborated with the likes of Idris Elba, supported Nas and Common on tour, become an advisor for the BBC diversity trust, a regular speaker for TED, and graduated from Cambridge University. His work is open and honest, revealing challenging truths about both himself and society. A recent performance of Tap Dancing for the BRITs critics’ choice award was particularly powerful, confronting his position as a young black man in the industry and the stigma that comes with it. Now, in compiling his works, George has created a biography in the form of Search Party: The First Collection Of Poetry. We catch up with the young talent as he prepares for its release.
Why Search Party?
There are a few reasons for the title. Firstly, I realized my journey through poetry has been one of self-discovery. Because my poetry is introspective, I’ve had to look into my experiences in order to deliver worthwhile commentary. Secondly, it’s a search worth celebrating, hence “Party”. Thirdly, a search party is a collective effort mobilized around a single goal, as I think society should be organized.
Have poetry and music always gone hand in hand for you?
Not always. Music was my first love, and hip-hop taught me to appreciate words, but when I started poetry, I was reluctant to introduce instrumentation because I thought it wouldn’t translate well in the live setting. By then, I was used to stepping on stage as an unknown act and leaving to standing ovations because of my words alone. Partly through ego, partly through fear, I didn’t want to share that moment with music, until I realised the two could complement and enhance each other.
Who are your favourite poets?
Tupac Shakur and Nasir Jones.
Which poem do you wish you’d written?
Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise is one of my favorite poems, but I’d never wish to have created anyone else’s work because it’s a part of them.
What are you personally searching for?
I’m searching for tomorrow’s me. I can only find him in today’s lessons.
What’re the most important thing that six years of studying politics taught you?
Nothing happens in isolation.
What is your search party’s manifesto?
A nation of progress: social enterprise, better education, and representation for all. We organize our lives according to what we think we can do, as opposed to what we want to do. For example, our personal time is arranged around our work shifts. I believe enterprise is the key to unlocking this culture of constraint; not only does self-employment free up your time, it allows you to explore your ideas and make the social contribution that you want. However, many would argue that people benefit from the structure and security of conventional employment, to which I would reply that education is the answer. If we train our young to contextualize their learning experience, we bridge the gap between school and employment, giving them the competence and the confidence to embark on enterprising ventures. And to avoid developing a nation of crazy little yuppies, my party would appoint a Minister for Representation, to ensure that we all share in growth. A good way to do this is by delivering goods and services to our elderly through our young. Let’s get young people thinking about the experience of old age, I’m sure it will make us all more considerate in other areas of our lives.
You’ve said before that too many people feel disconnected from politics. How do you think this can be changed?
Two things need to change: politicians must be prepared to evolve the political space to permanently accommodate people who are unlike them, and people must be willing to learn about the political space with a view to engineering their desired future.
What did signing to a major record label mean to you?
It propelled me forward by about ten years. Signing to a major gave me a platform and an endorsement that strengthened my message. In time you will see what an unfair advantage that is.
What do you hope that people take from your music?
I hope people truly realize you can do anything you put your mind to.
Who do you see as the ultimate “communicators” in 2015?
Entertainers, if they choose to be. The entertainers have everyone’s ears, and now I have theirs (evil laugh). Hide ya kids, hide ya wife.
What does this year hold for you?
This is the year in which I consolidate my role as a social commentator and also embark on social action. Wish me luck.
Search Party is published by Virgin Books and available from 19th February.
George will headline Village Underground on 13th April.
Credits
Text Francesca Dunn
Photography Amber Grace Dixon