Tiya Joan seeks redemption through poetry
Tiya Joan, the 21-year-old poet and singer, has unpacked her innermost fears, feelings and hopes in her spoken word poetry album Fierce Redemption.
The artist chronicles her radical transformation from what she calls “a place of darkness” into light, giving a reflection of the struggles she has faced and how she has been helped to overcome them.
Her debut production, mastered and mixed by renowned music producer AK on the Board, contains four poems; Fierce Redemption, I am a Witness, The Art of Smiling and I am Scared.
Joan said: “In the cover poem, Fierce Redemption, it is about an honest reflection of someone who has struggled with pain and hurt. Beyond that people should expect a message of hope that portrays the redemptive power of God.”
On Thursday the album was made available online and can be accessed on websites like Sapitwa Poetry, Sound and Cloud, Audiomack and Spiritunez pending an official event to formally release the album on the market.
The Lilongwe-based artist, who owes her inspiration in poetry to music, sermons, other poems and her feelings, believes poetry is on a steady rise in the country.
“There has been a lot of progress which has been made with more young poets emerging and more platforms being established. People have become more receptive to poetry but there is always room for more improvement,” she said.
Though a budding artist, Joan has displayed her prowess through performances during notable events like Sounds of Christmas, Open Rhema Bash, Khetwayo’s Unplugged Concert and Mdidi wa Jehovah tour at Magu.
The poet is managed by Khetwayo Sibale, who has signed to his label Essence Music and he retains so much faith in the ability of Joan to succeed as a poet.
“She is one of the best poets in the country. Her delivery and poems are relatable. She has the potential to go beyond Malawi and I believe she will achieve her dream of going international,” he said.
Joan owes her involvement in poetry to her school days 11 years ago when she given an assignment to write a poem. n
