‘My name is Darren Paul and I've been performing poetry for around 4-5 years. I am a British-born Jamaican import with mixed ancestry that grew up in London before moving to Milton Keynes at a young age. My poetry is sometimes existential in its nature with authenticity and truth being used to explore the art of being, through the experience of living.
Although I’m by no means an MC or rapper I realise I am a lyricist and I owe this awareness of oral tradition to my first love that is rap and hip hop. I realise as my consciousness rises, I have to use my voice for the voiceless as a form of resistance and rebellion to bring about change and unity.
I have to use my voice for the voiceless, as a form of resistance
My name ‘Abracadazra’ is wordplay based on the ancient Aramaic incantation ‘Abracadabra’ – meaning I create as I speak. This year I've been using it to perform as I believe a poet has a duty to use all performances as a way to educate, raise and highlight issues that everyone might not be aware of in order to start a dialogue so we can all move forward together.
It is said talent borrows while genius steals so I must say my work, X Factor, is both a homage and pastiche inspired by Saul Williams, the American writer, poet, actor and musician. I've blended some of my experiences growing up, my genealogy, recent history, some iconic songs, cultural references and food, plus there is content relating to astrology, mythology, religion, colonialism and slavery.’
See Darren's performance of X Factor at Hip Hop and the Institution in the video below.
Dale to add transcript
You can follow Darren Abracadazra on Instagram.
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