Stoned With Cupid wins inaugural Run Your Mouth Open Mic

Thirteen cultural practitioners came out to The Athlete’s Foot Barbados to be a part of their inaugural Run Your Mouth Open Mic competition which was held yesterday.

The competition which was held in The Athlete’s Foot newly opened store in Sheraton Mall attracted established poets such as Keoma Rhyminister Mallet, La Shawna Melanin Drops Griffith, Akeem Stoned With Cupid Chandler-Prescod, Theo Deo The Poet Greenidge and Clarissa Carmen Williams as well as vocalist, rappers and comedians.

At 6 p.m. the competition which was hosted by veteran theatre practitioner Jennifer Walker started and the contestants were treated to a performance from Janine White from her new book which is soon to be released.

The competition was fierce as each person brought their A-game to the inaugural event where the winner could walk away with store credit that they could utilise in the athletics store.

At the end of the night, Chandler-Prescod was declared the winner. He gave a heartfelt performance of his poem Cope where he discussed the problems that men face in relationships. Sitting on the stage he delivered his opening line, “I got more faith in an atheist praying for me than I have in you,” which captured the audience’s attention. He was presented with his first-place certificate for US$100 by the General Manager of The Athlete’s Foot Barbados Justine Butler.

Chandler-Prescod who is the reigning National Library Service’s Poetry Slam Champion 2022, as well as the winner of Best Talent at Spirit of The Nation 2021, said that he was ecstatic over his win.

“There are people who go their whole lives and never win anything, so I am always grateful whenever I place or actually win something. This is the first time I have won something like store credit, and I am looking forward to perusing the store and checking out the items that they offer.

“I think it says a lot about the state of poetry in Barbados when it can win in a space populated by singers, rappers and comedians. It is a reflection that the genre can hold its own against more established and widely consumed disciplines. I am just honoured to be a part of this wave of lyricists making an impact,” he said.

There was a tie for second place which saw Williams who performed her piece Garment of Love in which she asked the audience to question if love was a garment, how it would look on them.

She tied with Mallet who did a freestyle in which he utilised the names of the contestants in his piece.

Receiving third place was Antonio Corbin who did an original rap song which had the members of the audience vibe along to his song. He received a certificate for US$50.

Greenidge also gave an outstanding performance of I Am, explaining who he is as a poet. His poem shed light on his life and how he has come to be Deo The Poet.

Also outstanding were Princess Thomas, Joshua Moore and Josh Ox who all performed commendably in their vocal selections and definitely are ones to watch for the future.

The Chief Judge for the Run Your Mouth Open Mic Winston Farrell said that all of the contestants did notably well, and he encouraged them to continue to hone their craft. (Write Right PR Services)