Spoken Word Poet Sumeya Issa Releases Debut Poetry EP, Collaborates with OMEGA
Sumeya Issa, a spoken word poet, releases her first poetry EP featuring OMEGA, aiming to inspire hope and positivity.
BLANTYRE, Malawi-Blantyre-based Poet Sumeya Issa has announced the upcoming release of her first-ever Poetry EP, showcasing her talent in spoken word since her debut in 2014, writes Winston Mwale.
The EP includes a collaboration with the captivating vocalist known as OMEGA.
In an interview, Sumeya explained that the EP was inspired by the challenges people face in maintaining faith, hope, and strength during difficult times.
"I wanted to provide powerful lyrics that can serve as a source of solace and inspiration when life's storms threaten our peace and well-being," she said.
Sumeya expressed her sincere prayer and hope that the EP would take listeners on a beautiful journey of healing, hope, and positivity.
She urged her audience to tap into their inner power and to remember their worthiness for truly living and thriving.
Here is an extract of the interview that Sumeya had with AfricaBrief’s Editor-in-Chief, Winston Mwale:
Winston: Hi Sumeya! Congratulations on your upcoming Poetry EP release! It sounds like a truly inspiring project.
First, can you tell us about the journey that led you to become a spoken word poet and inspired you to create this EP?
Sumeya: My poetry journey began in 2014, during my first year of University. I joined the writers club at the Polytechnic, and the young artists in that group inspired me tremendously.
One of my greatest pillars during my early years as a poet was a very good friend of mine, who is now late. He was also an amazing poet himself and went by the name Kenney Kaula. Even though he is late, his journey and faith in me still inspire me.
My inspiration for this EP is rooted in my desire to continue to use my voice to make a difference and connect with my audience.
Lyrics for your soul are meant to radiate positivity, and healing and resonate with all of us who have faced both loud and silent battles and felt like giving up.
The EP allows one to accept vulnerability whilst embracing their inner power and abilities ( based on my faith and belief that because we are Godly creatures, we have been given power over our struggles, and that means we are powerful).
Winston: What motivated you to collaborate with Omega? How did her voice enhance the message you wanted to convey?
Sumeya: Omega is such a joy to be around. She radiates the beautiful energy of a young soul seeking her place in the world. She uses her voice so powerfully that I don't even think she realises just how talented she is, because I got goosebumps every single time we were in the studio and she started to sing.
So my biggest reason and motivation to collaborate with Omi had to do a lot with her character as an individual, and the power and emotion in her voice are everything I needed for this EP.
Her voice anchored my words pretty well, and being that this EP is deeply sentimental, I think it worked out perfectly.
Winston: The themes of faith, hope, and strength are central to your EP. Could you share some insights into how these themes have personally impacted your life and why they are important to you?
Sumeya: I think as human beings, we do need to dwell in hope, strength, and faith. I looked specifically at the numbers surrounding suicide cases around the world and how mental health continues to be a global issue.
I mean, even men go through the struggle of depression and anxiety. So the themes are so important to me because I have also been through mental health struggles myself, and it's often such a dark place.
I wanted to use this project to help speak to someone who might be going through the same thing, with the hope that my words would be a safe place to fall back on.
Winston: What do you hope listeners will take away from this EP in terms of healing, hope, and positivity?
Sumeya: I am hoping listeners will start to speak out more about their vulnerabilities, that they will be comforted by my words, and that they will know that as artists, we are always looking to create content that is equally important to them and that will help make a difference in their lives.
I also mostly want men to know that having a mental breakdown doesn't make them weak. It makes them human.
So I am hoping that no matter how much it might look like women are the most emotional and most vulnerable; struggles with mental health can affect everyone and there's a chance for all of us to find healing
Winston: Can you give us a peek into some of the powerful lyrics or messages that listeners can expect from the EP?
Sumeya: They should expect emotion, Inspiration, and strong words of motivation. There's also something beautifully crafted for all the women to fall back on.
Winston: How did the creative process unfold between you and Omega? Did you write the lyrics together or collaborate in any other way?
Sumeya: The creative process between me and Omega
As I mentioned earlier, she was the perfect fit for the job, and she executed it beautifully.
I found myself relating to her a little bit because she isn't afraid of using her voice but tends to hide behind a shell sometimes, which is also something I tend to do.
So working with her meant being able to anchor each other’s creativity, and she is a very good listener, so she delivers perfectly.
We also both allowed each other to make mistakes and so we finally found our feet through that process.
For the lyrics, I did all the writing. We, however, brainstormed some parts, but all the lyrics were written by me.
Winston: As an artist, how do you see the role of poetry in bringing about healing and empowerment in people's lives?
Sumeya: Poetry is an art. Just like music, it is meant to convey some type of message to the audience.
I see poetry bringing about a lot of healing and empowerment if artists in the industry continue to creatively use their art to communicate real issues affecting people's lives.
Winston: Could you share a memorable moment or experience during the creation of this EP that has had a significant impact on you?
Sumeya: A memorable moment would be when I listened to my voice on the speaker, there was silence in the room and my own words started to resonate with me.
Really hearing the words on this EP will require a lot of listening. I am excited to see how my audience responds.
Winston: What are your future aspirations as a spoken word poet? Do you have any plans for future collaborations or projects?
Sumeya: I am hoping to keep creating. To keep writing and hopefully keep speaking as well.
Currently, there are no clear plans for collaboration, but I will be releasing more singles. So, I am really excited to see what the near future holds.
Winston: Lastly, could you tell us more about the premiere on Audiomack? What can listeners expect, and how can they join in on this beautiful journey?
Sumeya: The EP premieres on the 30th of this month, July. A link will be shared once it premiers, and you can all start to enjoy the poetry from there.
You can stream online or download the app, either way, you'll be able to access the EP through the link.
Winston: Thank you, Sumeya, for sharing your exciting news with us. We look forward to experiencing the healing and positivity that your Poetry EP will bring. Best of luck with the release! 🌼✨.