ONE ON ONE WITH BLACK LILY

ONE ON ONE WITH BLACK LILY

Although she’s in Harare more often than we would prefer, Black Lily is straight out of Bulawayo and remains one of our favourite exports. Outspoken, feisty, a fiery cauldron of poetry. We’ve seen her in various slams and spoken word platforms, as part of the group 3Some alongside Tinashe Tafirenyika and Lady Tshawe; we have also heard her sing and today we got to talk to her and find out what turns her gears. 

EKASI: Thank you for making time to do this. Please tell us about yourself.

BlackLily: My name is BlackLily and I am the Founder/Managing Director of BlackLily Art Inc which is basically a conglomerate of the different art forms that l practice that is, Poetry, Music, Digital Design, fitness and Makeup.

EKASI: Let’s talk about your poetry. What's the inspiration behind it?

BlackLily: My poetry is inspired by truth. I seldom write hypothetically, if it's not my story then it's someone else's but it is always true. Many of my counterparts are admirably witty and some are wordsmiths but l believe myself to be an emotional poet, easily because I'm an empath, and it is easy for me to captivate the heart of my audience because my poetry is always relatable.

EKASI: The arts are notoriously difficult to get into, and stay in. WHat tough lessons has your time practising taught you?

BlackLily: The industry is not easy to navigate especially given the state of our economy. People generally view arts as entertainment over employment so the artist is left naked to the possibility of going unfed. Needless to say, poetry is not the most revered form of art so that makes it ten times harder to actually make money from it. But I see now how it is our responsibility as artists to change this, a story for another day l suppose.

EKASI: Besides the artists themselves making an effort, what what do you think needs to be done to improve the poetry in Zimbabwe, particularly in Byo?

BlackLily: Mmm l don't want to touch any nerves. Bulawayo citizens are very iffy with their art, but guess what, Bulawayo poets are literally the best in the country.We just need a lot more support and a lot less hate and control and all the other nonsense politics in the sector because we truly find ourselves in a retrogressive space.

EKASI: Where does one find your work?

BlackLily: I have an anthology that l wrote during the first lockdown that l literally gave out, it's up on my Facebook. But l haven't been practicing for a bit now, which l do intend to change.I'll let you know once l start releasing content.

EKASI: Any advice to young and aspiring poets?

BlackLily: Speak. We hold history in our hands, we get to immortalise people and moments and spaces. The universe has entrusted us to pen it's existence, that in itself is an honour that should never be taken lightly. So write. Write it all, as you see it, as you think it, as you feel it, and when it gets tough do remember that it is literally necessary. You are a need in the progression of humanity. 
Love and Light!