Art / Spoken Word
The rise of Bristol spoken word poet Malizah
Chance encounters and conversations on the streets of Bristol are all part of what inspires the work of a poet unafraid to speak the truth.
“It was my way of having a voice, it was just, like, this is my chance to be heard,” says Malizah, reflecting on why she started out writing and performing spoken word pieces.
The poet, who has performed at the city’s Black Lives Matter demonstrations and been part of the Rising Arts Agency billboard campaign, is now working on her second EP and using her platform to inspire other aspiring young artists.
Surrounded by books, looking out to the rooftops of Jamaica Street from the new CARGO Loft workspace, Malizah speaks about her journey so far, as well as the people and places that inspire her work and the importance of truth.
“It empowers people when you know the truth,” says the artist, who grew up in Fishponds and currently lives in Hotwells.
“I feel that’s important – for people to feel empowered rather than a narrative that disempowers them.”
Malizah admits she had to overcome her own fear before self-recording her first EP on her phone.
“I think it’s like when you want to do something, just do it,” says Malizah, reflecting on the start of her journey.
“I always say progress over perfection. People want to be too perfect so don’t bother doing stuff – you’ve got to let people know what you’re about and I feel like that draws resources too, so I just did that and was humble and did the best I could.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSjyGYFDrZ2/
Having started out performing for youth groups, Mlizah is now working on her second EP with Saffron Records and hopes her journey will encourage others to follow their dreams.
“It’s for young communities – a lot of people, they want to do things but they’re afraid,” explains Malizah.
“And seeing people use their gift, I feel like that’s their personal power. When you share those talents that are in you; whether it’s baking, whether it’s singing, whether it’s helping people, it’s a different type of thing. It just makes room for you in different ways and I feel like I’m testament to that because I never knew nobody, I don’t have no connections – I just share my poems.
“I just want to feed that forward to others, if I’m able to use my gifts and now I’m working Saffron Records, it opens up those types of doors. Just be humble, even if it means you have to just film yourself telling your truth, it will open doors for you.”
Malizah’s second EP is due out in December of this year.
Read more: Bristol’s streets become canvas for young creatives
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