When we hear words like “Power to the women!” they draw to our attention. On Friday the 22th of May the Rotterdam poetry gala Flow organizes a memorable evening at Theater Islemunda to give credit to all women! Flow is well known for their spoken word extravaganzas and traditional spoken word deliveries. Visitors are expected to dress up for an evening with a live band led by Jaskelis, support acts and theatre actors. What can you expect in return? A night filled with entertainment, excellent hospitality service and the ability to enjoy a true show. Your host of the evening is Flow founder and the incredibly talented Y.M.P, who will besides performing also introduce poetry forces Sanae Ben Abdelouahab, Yordhaira Moerman, Bjorn Romy, Sharif Noël, Tha Vurgg & Stepz and Brooklyn. The latter one, Brooklyn, we interviewed in order to give our #UCWBTroopers a glimpse of who she is, what she’s about and to enlarge your perspective on life!

Introduction
My name is Brooklyn Mozes, I was born in Brooklyn New York, on the 30th of November 1990. I moved to The Netherlands with my mother, brothers and sisters when I was young, but I would travel back a couple times a year to visit my dad, who still lives there. Ever since I can remember I used to write. It started out with quotes and little stuff that would inspire me or describe something I felt was beautiful or touching.

How did you get into poetry?
I really “got into” when my brother was murdered. This happened 2 weeks after my 14th birthday, on the 19th of December 2004. I went to therapy, but it wasn’t really working for me. So my words helped me to understand and deal with my emotions. After my brother and my grandmother passed away, my uncle got shot in front of my eyes, passed away and in the years that followed I had at least one funeral a year. So my words were the only thing, at that time I felt like could not be taking away from me. And this is still the case. My words save me.

Who or what inspires you to write a poem?
Well besides the situations that presented themselves in my life from a very young age, I would have to say, my biggest inspiration for writing is my mom and dad. They always supported me and my siblings in our dreams and my mom always made the time to be there and listen for hours as I tried to find the right words.

What was the first poem that you remember writing or performing?
The first poem, “real poem” in spoken word style that I remember writing and being completely proud of, was music. The first poem I ever performed was “a tribute to” at Theater Zuidplein in Rotterdam. That was a dedication to my brother that passed away, my family and my mom.

Did you ever have a writer’s block? If so, how did you handle the situation?
I have a writer’s block with every poem I make. I do a lot of research and reading before I actually finish a poem. So sometimes I’m missing a key piece of information that my text needs to reach the level I want it to be. And the thing that really helps me when I have a writer’s block is talking to my mom. I could talk to her about anything and she inspires me. Just looking at her inspires me, because she’s such a strong black inspiring woman every word that comes out her mouth is meaningful to me. I just listen to her talk and then I go back to writing the next day.

What would you like to achieve with your poetry art?
I want to reach beyond the stars with my poetry, and change the world. Or at least do my part in trying to make it a better place. My gift with words is the best way I know how to do that. And it makes me the best version of myself I can be. But what I really, really want for sure what I would love, is to publish a book. With all my poems and quotes in it.

What has been the highlight of your poetry journey so far?
I don’t have just one highlight but if I would have to mention one, it would be the day I got to perform for the first time and my mother was sitting in the audience looking at me with so much pride in her eyes. I never felt as important and blessed as that day.

How did your poetry style transformed from the beginning until now?
Well like I said I always used to write. I was always the “quite and nerdy” one growing up. I always wanted to stay home and read or puzzle in staid of going outside. Back in that time I would write but not rhyme or put the words together the way I do now. And then I saw Black Ice on Def Poetry Jam and I remember thinking, Wooowwwww, I want to be able to do that too. And this voice in my head just kept telling me: “I CAN do that too!” And then I wrote music. And from that day I improved my own style and I made it my own, until now.

What is your roll during FLOW SPOKEN WORD GALA: POWER TO THE WOMAN on the 22th of May at Theater Islemunda in Rotterdam?
I am very happy and thankful for the opportunity to dedicate a poem to Mother Nature, during FLOW. I feel like it’s a topic I can really find myself in and that connects each and every one of us to each other. I hope to inspire every last person in the audience. And hopefully give people a chance to see the world through my eyes. There’s a lot of hidden beauty in it if you just know how to look.

Why do you want people to attend FLOW SPOKEN WORD GALA: POWER TO THE WOMAN at Theater Islemunda?
I want people to attend FLOW, because I believe from the bottom of my heart that FLOW is going to be legendary. We put our blood, sweat and tears into this and like I said before, we are planning on inspiring each and everyone in the audience. We plan on touching their heart by showing them ours, and all in all it’s a show worth being watched.

Where can we follow your poetry career?
My website is currently under construction, but you can follow me on Instagram @Skeerjonair and through @BrooklynMozes. My Facebook pages are Sumeray Mahadio and Skeerjonair Recordsz.

Event: FLOW SPOKEN WORD GALA: POWER TO THE WOMAN
Date: Friday the 22th of May
Venue: Theater Islemunda
Adress: Herenwaard 17, 3078 AK Rotterdam
Line-up: Y.M.P, Sanae Ben Abdelouahab, Yordhaira Moerman, Bjorn Romy, Sharif Noël, Brooklyn and Tha Vurgg & Stepz
Music by: Jaskelis led by a liveband
Time: doors open at 19:00
Ticket reservation & Services: info@ikbenymp.com
Click here to attend the event!