English literature academic Professor Nicola J Watson has worked behind the scenes on an Open University/BBC co-production about the acclaimed rapper, poet, playwright and recording artist Kae Tempest.
She brought her knowledge of the history of performance poetry to the programme, “Being Kae Tempest”, which will be aired on BBC Two at 9pm on Wednesday 29 November.
Kae, who uses the pronouns ‘they/them’, is thought of as one of the most viscerally exciting artists working in Britain today.
Their accolades include being the youngest ever recipient of the prestigious Ted Hughes Award and they have been nominated for both Brit and Mercury music awards.
Nicola says the tradition of performance poetry stretches from ancient bardic traditions through 19th century improvisation and recitation and deep into modern poetic culture.
She said: “Making the programme has been an exciting chance to engage with cutting-edge performance poets and the ways that they draw both on a long tradition of protest poetry and on rap culture.
“Kae Tempest, and contemporaries, prove that their performances can draw and engage huge audiences. Anyone who still believes that poetry is too difficult should sample the accompanying materials and then buy themselves a ticket to one of the many live poetry festivals springing up all round the country.”
Tempest has always found support and respect within the queer art scenes close to their heart since, in July 2020, they came out as non-binary, announcing they would publish and perform under the name Kae.
This unique Arena film delves deep into their creative process and gains rare, intimate insights into Kae’s life throughout a period of profound personal and artistic change.
This series was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, with particular relevance to Q66 BA (Honours) English Literature, Q86 BA (Honours) English Literature and Creative Writing and A112 Cultures
Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast and Partnerships
- Academic Consultant: Prof Nicola J Watson
- Media Fellow: Dr Joanna Paul
- Broadcast Project Manager: Laura Connor
- Senior Broadcast Platforms and Partnerships Manager: Patrick Kearney
Supporting Online content:
Visit our Broadcast and Partnerships site, OU Connect, where you can find extensive resources and information on topics related to this series. We invite you to explore how poetry moves and inspires us. Watch amazing contemporary poets reflect on their inspiration here.
Picture credit: BBC, Bohemia Films, Henry Lockyer
