Musician and poet, Wol Riak, is using his experiences from South Sudan to fight a war of words.
The 19 year old from Tarneit, who arrived in Australia eight years ago, will next month compete in the Hobsons Bay heat of the Australian Poetry Slam.
“I do music and I write a lot of lyrics and I just thought I would do it to portray some of my lyrics that I have not put to music,” said Riak, who performs as Krown.
“I try to portray ghetto stories in my own sort of way.
“I mix what I’ve seen in my background with modern imagery.”
Performing writers will have two minutes at the mic and five random audience members are chosen as judges.
There are 50 heats Australia-wide, with the best poet from each state going to the national finals for a chance to win an $11,000 prize pack.
Hobsons Bay hasn’t hosted a heat in eight years.
It will be held at Newport Community Hub on August 11 from 6-8.45pm.
No bookings are necessary and people are encouraged to just turn up.
