Meet the next addition to our Ones To Watch list 23 year old Asante AKA "A J King", a poet and founder of "4thecxltxre", a platform celebrating British youth culture. Though South African, AJ King embodies a rich blend of cultural influences, infusing his gentle, creative soul into poetry. With notable performances, including at BBC's Radio Upload Open Mic for World Poetry Day, AJ King continues to inspire and uplift through his art and community initiatives.
SDS: Tell us a bit about yourself: who is Asanté/AJ King, where does your name come from?
AJ KING: Well I would say that Asanté is a creative, gentle soul full of love and the adapting enigma. The name has a lot of different origins like in Ghana which I’m aware of and respect. But, my name particularly comes from Kenya, even though I am South African. My Dad was thanking my Mum and God for me being born but he wanted it in another language and his Kenyan friend said Asantesana which means thank you very much in Swahili.
SDS: How long have you been doing poetry for?
AJ KING: My first real account of me writing was when I was about I was about 11/12 years old, my first poem was for a girl I had crushes on in school in South Africa, it didn’t get me very far lol! People were asking who wrote it but I was too shy to admit it. Eventually I did tell her because she had noticed a drawing I put at the bottom of the page. Then mysteriously, I left the work of poetry for a while and found it again when I was 16 in a place called Soundskool (College). This lifted the spoken word arch of my life which I’ve been doing for around 7 years now.
SDS: This year you performed at BBC's Radio Upload Open Mic for World poetry day, talk to us about that, how did it come about?
AJ KING: Shout out to Alice at BBC first and foremost for the opportunity to perform on her show BBCUpload twice! That day in particularly was a huge surprise as she let me know earlier that day, so the energy was very spontaneous and natural, I performed alongside some very talented poets. Their work was inspiring, it came about as we were all previously interviewed because we had uploaded our work. It was my shot in the dark at the time but an amazing shot at that, Alice heard my work and told me I’d be on the radio the following weeks ahead.
SDS: What has been your favourite performance to date and why?
AJ KING: I’ve been blessed and honoured to have performed at many different showcases, venues and even gatherings. For me there isn’t a way I could choose just one. There are definitely a few in the top 5 but not just one, like, BBC Radio, The Queens House & Even competitions I’ve taken part in, every chance I get to perform is my favourite for me.
SDS: Can you give us one of your favourite lines from one of your poems and tell us why it's your favourite.
AJ KING: Again, for me this is like having a favourite child, all of my work has become my baby and to pick one would be a crime! But I’ll give a few that the crowd have seemed to enjoy the most from my works. (No particular order)
“I knew peace like My hat was Ghandi, There was no peace so the gat was Handy”
“Complaining over PlantAIN and Plaintin when you don't even have a Garden to Plant
in”
“I am in awe of your Aura your voice creates an aurora in my mind”
Just to name a few haha!
I resonate with these lines of poetry because they skillfully blend vivid imagery with
thought-provoking themes. The first line juxtaposes the concept of peace with the necessity of protection, creating a powerful contrast that highlights the complexities of achieving tranquility in a turbulent world.
The second line cleverly critiques the act of complaining about trivial matters when one lacks the resources or opportunity to make meaningful changes, prompting reflection on gratitude and perspective.
Lastly, the third line beautifully captures the impact of someone's presence, likening it to the awe-inspiring phenomenon of an aurora, suggesting a deep connection and admiration for the individual's essence and influence.
SDS: Back in 2021 you created a poem for the film Judas and The Black Messiah featuring Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield, how did this come about?
AJ KING: This was again another amazing experience which I am profoundly grateful to Poetic Unity for bringing this about. As you know, during the COVID pandemic, Poetic Unity, a youth charity based in South London that I have worked with for some time, was approached by a company called We Are Parable. Commissioned by Warner Bros and BFI, they asked Poetic Unity to gather poets, including myself, to write pieces inspired by the Black Panther Party’s 10-point program. These works were showcased at the debut of the movie at the Amazing Drive-Through Cinema venue.
SDS: Is there a London poetry scene? Where can we find it.
AJ KING: Of course there is and it is thriving! There a couple places I could mention off the top of my head. We have Poetic Unity run by Ragz CV in South London, as well as FloVortex Run by The Flo Floacist also in South. 4TheCxltxre in North West London, BYOB in North West as well, Mind Over Matter, Underground Bars, Luna Legacy, ATLsWordonthestreet & TheGoodNewschannel these are just a few platforms putting poets on across London and the UK.
SDS: You are the founder of 4thecxltxre, what is this and why did you start it?
AJ KING: As the founder of "4thecxltxre," I created this initiative to celebrate British youth culture and provide a platform for artistic expression and cultural exchange. It's a space where young people can come together to share their voices, experiences, and creativity in a supportive and inclusive environment. I started it because I believe in the power of art to bring people together, spark important conversations, and drive positive change in our communities.
SDS:If you had the ability to change one thing in the world what would it be?
AJ KING: If I had the ability to change one thing in the world, it would be to foster greater understanding and empathy among all people, bridging the gaps between cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs.
SDS:What is your number one goal in life?
AJ KING: My number one goal in life is to continue using my platform and voice to inspire and uplift others, especially the youth, to pursue their passions, embrace their identities, and make a positive impact in the world.
SDS: What can people expect from you going forward?
AJ KING: Moving forward, people can expect me to continue pushing boundaries, advocating for cultural richness and authenticity, and creating spaces where diverse voices can be heard and celebrated. Whether through my performances, collaborations, or initiatives like "4thecxltxre," I am committed to fostering connections and spreading messages of empowerment and unity.
Follow AJ King on Instagram @a.just.king
Follow 4thecxltxre here!
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