Mitchy Explains Why Spoken Word Poetry in Uganda Still Falls Short of an Industry

Ugandan spoken word poet Isabirye Godfrey Mitch Junior (Mitchy) has weighed in on the current state of spoken word in Uganda, saying the craft is growing but still has a long way to go.

Mitchy, who is also a writer and environmentalist, shared his views during a sit down interview on the Ugandan Boy Talk Show, where he made it clear that spoken word should not be termed an industry.

According to him, the space remains a “scene.”

I do not want to use the word industry. The reality is that it is still a scene because, by the time something becomes an industry, it involves different players. So, to be realistic with the current state of spoken word as an art form in the country, it is still a scene. We are at the level of a scene, trying to figure things out and put ourselves there. Calling it an industry is a stretch, unrealistic, but it is something we can work towards.

Mitchy also pointed out that what makes an industry is the ecosystem behind it.

Using music as an example, he noted that one artiste’s work creates opportunities for many professionals, from lawyers to vendors and royalty collectors.

For something to become an industry, it must involve many players. I can give you an example. Look at music, right? Yes, there is the artiste, but there are also lawyers getting paid, URA getting paid, food vendors, and people collecting royalties. It takes many people from different professions and experiences to make something work as an industry.

But for spoken word, he believes the space is still unstable financially, with inconsistent pay and many people treating it as a hobby.

But spoken word is at a point where some people are getting paid, some people are not getting paid, and some people take it as a hobby. It cannot be an industry when it is a hobby at the end of the day.

Still, Mitchy believes spoken word can grow into an industry if the community continues to build and strengthen its systems.