Stonedwithcupid wins Spoken Word Artist of The Year

Akeem StonedwithCupid Chandler-Prescod has continued his winning streak as he won the Gine on People’s Choice Award Spoken Word Artist of the year at the fifth annual Gine on People’s Choice Award Ceremony at Frank Collymore Hall on May 19.

StonedwithCupid, who is a multiple award-winning performance poet who in 2023 won The 26th Annual Frank Collymore Literary Award for Spoken Word, NIFCA Gold for his poem Suicide Bomber as well as the Prime Minister’s Award for Theatre, was shocked to receive his award from Producer of Gine on Awards, DJ Simmons. 

StonedwithCupid said winning the award made him feel seen by his community as he often records, produces and films his work, and is a full time self-managed artist.

“The reason this award means so much is because I am not sure people see the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, the hundreds of hours mixing, mastering, producing, colour grading, graphic design and event production,” he said.

It amazes me that I can do all of this whilst pursuing a master’s [degree] at the University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. Being able to perform at the highest level whilst actively pursuing my [degree] is a superhuman feat and receiving this award makes me feel seen and as though all of my hard work was not in vain.”

Stonedwithcupid’s award comes as no surprise as on May 9 he received commendation from Prime Minister Mia Mottley for his poem Origins, which he performed at the Fireside Chat with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who is a Nobel Laureate and Former President of The Republic of Liberia.

“The Prime Minister of Barbados hugged me and told me to keep going. This meant a lot to me as an artist because it is great to know that my work is something that she enjoyed. The poem Origins is a poem which talks about knowing your history, and I was pleased to have performed it for the Prime Minister and dignitaries from Liberia as they educated Barbadians on the history between Barbados and Liberia,” he said.

What’s next for Stonedwithcupid?

StonedwithCupid said he has some major projects in the works. He will be performing on May 30 at 8 p.m. at Cricket Legends of Barbados (PR)