WORDS FIRST: ARE YOU THE NEXT SPOKEN WORD STAR?

BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Asian Network and BBC Contains Strong Language are again working together to find the best emerging spoken word talent in the UK. Whether you are influenced by poetry, lyricism, rap or hip hop – they want to hear from you. They are looking for people with a real passion for spoken word (in any form) that are keen to develop their skills.

What is Words First?

Words First is a talent development scheme that will run throughout 2020. Selected artists will be given the chance to attend digital workshops in July and August 2020, where they will work with established artists and mentors to develop their work, and be given a platform to perform their own work at digital showcases.

There will be a Summer showcase performance at the Contains Strong Language Festival 2020 in Cumbria, where shortlisted artists from the digital workshops will be invited to perform (further details on nature of performance i.e. remotely or in person to be confirmed in due course). The finale of the scheme will be broadcast on BBC Radio 1Xtra at the end of the year.

Additionally, throughout the scheme selected artists will be mentored and supported by the BBC and a fantastic network of regional poetry organisations including Young Identity, Apples & Snakes and Neu! Reekie!.

1Xtra previously ran the Words First scheme in 2015 - 2017 with support from George The Poet and Kojey Radical, and the finalists included Isaiah Hull, Amina Jama, Solomon O.B., Reuben Field, Liam McCormick and Asma Elbadawi. They all performed at The Roundhouse in 2016 and at the Contains Strong Language Festival in 2017, and Isaiah went on to perform at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2016.

To take part this time, simply upload a short performance video using the link below. Entries open 29 May 2020, and videos should be no more than 1 minute long. As this is a spoken word talent search, videos with a backing track or other music will not be accepted, so please perform on silence. Your video application must be submitted before entries close at 23:59, 19 June 2020.

"You can apply now, for your voice to be heard"

As the Ambassador of #WordsFirst 2020 Hussain with BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Asian Network and BBC Arts search for the next generation of spoken word stars ⁣⁣⁣.
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If you want to develop your talent, apply by Friday 19 June  https://bbc.in/2BFjg2x 

Join the conversation: 

#WordsFirst