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George the Poet

{{Short description|British spoken-word artist and rapper (born 1991)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{EngvarB|date=January 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| honorific_prefix =

| name = George the Poet

| honorific_suffix =

| image = George the Poet 2019.jpg

| image_size =

| landscape =

| alt =

| caption = George the Poet in 2019

| birth_name = George Mpanga

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| alias =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1991|1|14}}

| birth_place = Neasden, London, England

| origin =

| genre = {{hlist|Spoken word|hip hop}}

| occupations = Poet

| instruments =

| years_active = 2006–present

| associated_acts = Benbrick, Mikill Pane

| website = {{URL|iamgeorgethepoet.co.uk}}

| module=Awards: 2019 Peabody Award

}}

George Mpanga (born 14 January 1991), better known by his stage name George the Poet, is a British spoken-word artist, poet, rapper, and podcast host with an interest in social and political issues.{{cite web|url=http://www.rarerecruitment.co.uk/rrs2012/05-George-Mpanga.php|title=Rare Rising Stars 2012|publisher=Rarerecruitment.co.uk|access-date=5 January 2015}}{{cite web|first= Ian |last=Youngs|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30579567|title=BBC Sound Of 2015: George the Poet interview|work=BBC News|date=1 December 2014|access-date=5 January 2015}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/30/george-the-poet-if-i-accepted-an-mbe-what-would-my-descendants-think|title=George the Poet: 'If I accepted an MBE, what would my descendants think?'|last1=Arts|first1=Lanre Bakare|date=30 November 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=7 December 2019|last2=correspondent|first2=culture|issn=0261-3077}} Mpanga came to prominence as a poet, before progressing to spoken word and hip hop. This led to him being signed by Island Records, culminating in the release of his debut EP The Chicken and the Egg to critical acclaim. However, Mpanga felt constrained by the art form,{{Cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/news/series-3-episode-11-george-the-poet|title=Series 3, Episode 11: George the Poet|website=Channel 4 News|date=24 July 2019 |access-date=7 December 2019}} quit rapping,{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/5a8e2aa2-1eaf-4f4d-b12e-f536d17075ea|title=From rap to representation with George the Poet|date=27 August 2019|website=Financial Times|first=Roula |last=Khalaf|access-date=7 December 2019}} and left his record label prior to the release of his debut album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/924bb964-002c-11ea-b7bc-f3fa4e77dd47|title=The big themes shaping culture in London and New York|website=Financial Times|access-date=7 December 2019}} He moved on to performing poetry and created a podcast entitled Have You Heard George's Podcast?{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/oct/21/george-the-poet-young-people-excluded-podcast-royal-wedding|title=George the Poet: 'My manifesto was in poetry when I ran for student union chair'|last=Thapar|first=Ciaran|date=21 October 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=7 December 2019|issn=0261-3077}}

In 2018, Mpanga was elected to be a Member of the National Council of Arts for Arts Council England. Have You Heard George's Podcast? won five awards at the 2019 British Podcast Awards, including "Podcast of the Year".{{Cite news|last=Sturges|first=Fiona|date=26 May 2019|title=Why George the Poet swept the board at the British Podcast Awards|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/bd517058-7e37-11e9-81d2-f785092ab560|access-date=8 February 2021}}

In 2019, Have You Heard George's Podcast? won a Peabody Award, becoming the first podcast outside of the US{{Cite news|title=George the Poet on why ending racism shouldn't be on 'special' Black people {{!}} CBC Radio|language=en-US|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/george-the-poet-on-why-ending-racism-shouldn-t-be-on-special-black-people-1.5717832|access-date=2021-02-08}} to win the award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48326244|title=Podcast award winners revealed|date=19 May 2019|publisher=BBC}}{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Tommy|title=Meet George The Poet: Spoken Word Artist Partnering With Leading Investment Firm Sweet Capital|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommywilliams1/2020/09/27/meet-george-the-poet-spoken-word-artist-partnering-with-leading-investment-firm-sweet-capital/|access-date=2021-02-08|website=Forbes|language=en}}

Early life

Mpanga was born to Ugandan parents on the St Raphael's Estate in Neasden, north-west London. His paternal grandmother is Ugandan politician and former cabinet minister Joyce Mpanga.{{Cite episode |title=31/12/2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000cmym |series= Today|series-link=Today (BBC Radio 4) |author=George the Poet |network=BBC Radio 4 |date=31 December 2019 |time=2:17:45|quote= We're gonna meet my grandma, Joyce Mpanga, who was the first Women's Minister of Uganda.}} He began performing rap and grime when he was 15 years old.

Education

Mpanga was educated at Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet, a selective state grammar school, from 2002 to 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qebarnet.co.uk/new_and_noteworthy?newsID=759|title=A very happy new year for George the Poet|website=Qebarnet.co.uk|access-date=28 July 2020}} He subsequently studied Politics, Psychology and Sociology at King's College, Cambridge (2010–2013),{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/checkpoint/challengesV2/AQEsLajQPZBEVwAAAW5ICyEd_abw3r4Bm6b6bJimo-c14nWWpsOxuN0vT-CvvRGBoLJU6BtSLXqZCj-q0Ti9pyOY7GIH6FHyYQ|title=Security Verification | LinkedIn|website=linkedin.com}} where he decided to adapt his rap output into poetry so as to communicate more effectively with his audience.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/feb/03/george-the-poet-rappers-power-educate|title=George the Poet: 'Rappers have so much power to do good and they squander it'|first=Kate |last=Mossman|work=The Guardian|date= 3 February 2013 |access-date=5 January 2015}} Mpanga said, "I think rappers are primarily expected to make money for the industry and provide party soundtracks, but obviously there are exceptions and grey areas. The poet's 'role' is usually to provide thoughtful social commentary."{{cite web|url=http://raymondantrobus.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/q-with-george-poet.html|title=Q&A With George The Poet|website=Raymondantrobus.blogspot.co.uk|publisher=Shapes And Disfigurements Of Raymond Antrobus|first=Raymond |last=Antrobus|author-link=Raymond Antrobus|date=17 October 2012|access-date=5 January 2015}}

During his studies, Mpanga won a social enterprise competition organised by Barclays and Channel 4 called The Stake, which asked entrants how they would spend £100,000. He used his £16,000 prize to fund The Jubilee Line, a series of secondary school poetry workshops for underprivileged children in London.{{cite web|url=http://cambridge.tab.co.uk/2013/02/06/interview-george-the-poet/ |title=Interview: George the Poet |first=Rebecca |last=Diamond |work=The Tab Cambridge |access-date=5 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205035238/http://cambridge.tab.co.uk/2013/02/06/interview-george-the-poet/ |archive-date=5 December 2014 }}

Life and career

In May 2012, Mpanga premiered the piece "My City", about his hometown London.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/01/george-the-poet-my-city_n_1562705.html|title=George The Poet's 'My City' Reminds Us There Is More To London Than The Jubilee (VIDEO)|first=Sam |last=Parker|work=The Huffington Post UK|date=1 June 2012|access-date=5 January 2015}} Subsequently, BBC Radio 1 selected him as the face of their Hackney Weekend (in June 2012),{{cite web|url=http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/george-poet-royal-appointment|first=Dionne |last=Grant|title=George The Poet: By Royal Appointment|work=The Voice|date=22 January 2013|access-date=5 January 2015}} and Sky Sports F1 commissioned him to write poems for their coverage of the 2012 Formula One season and the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix.{{cite web|url=http://soulculture.com/culture-2/poetics/george-the-poet-delivers-monaco-grand-prix-inspired-poem-over-james-blakes-retrograde-video/|title=George The Poet delivers Monaco Grand Prix inspired poem over James Blake's "Retrograde" [Video] |work=SoulCulture|date=28 May 2013|access-date=5 January 2015}}

In July 2014, the consumer watchdog group Which? released the track "It's Yours", a collaboration between Mpanga and producer Jakwob, as part of a campaign lobbying the UK Government to improve their response to complaints about public services.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/which-partners-with-jakwob-and-george-the-poet-for-government-campaign/059046|first=Coral |last=Williamson |title=Which? partners with Jakwob and George The Poet for Government campaign|work=Music ,Week|date=16 July 2014|access-date=5 January 2015}} "My City" was adapted as a music collaboration with dance producers Bodhi, and released as a single in August 2014.{{cite web|url=http://5mag.co/culture/music/bodhi-vs-george-the-poet-my-city |title=Bodhi VS George The Poet – My City |work=#5 Magazine |access-date=5 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206122853/http://5mag.co/culture/music/bodhi-vs-george-the-poet-my-city |archive-date=6 December 2014 }} In October 2014, Mpanga released the EP The Chicken and the Egg and the single "1,2,1,2" (once again with Bodhi), describing the former release as "about premature parenthood. Through the story of a rocky relationship, it outlines the cycle of fatherlessness in seven tracks."{{cite web|url=http://sbtv.co.uk/2014/09/george-the-poet-the-chicken-and-the-egg-ep/|title=George The Poet – 'The Chicken and the Egg' EP – SB.TV – The UK's leading online youth broadcaster.|publisher=Sbtv.co.uk|access-date=5 January 2015}} Vice magazine wrote that the EP "showcases perhaps the tightest lyricism of the year to date".{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/read/premiere-listen-to-the-debut-ep-from-george-the-poet|title=PREMIERE: Listen to George The Poet's Latest EP| work=Noisey|first=Luke |last=Morgan Britton|date=24 September 2014|access-date=5 January 2015}}

In November 2014, it was announced that Mpanga had been shortlisted for the Critics' Choice category at the 2015 BRIT Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/30218553|title=Brits announce 2015 Critics' Choice shortlist|first= Nesta |last=McGregor|work=BBC Newsbeat|date=27 November 2014|access-date=5 January 2015}} He came fifth in the BBC Sound of 2015 poll.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/229DTVzPlwsFVNrtYb6ZHHs/5-george-the-poet 5. George The Poet], BBC Music – BBC Music Sound Of, 2015. As of late 2014, Mpanga was writing a debut album and working on theatre and film projects. He released the single "Cat D" in February 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/track-of-the-day-202-george-the-poet|title=News|website=Clash Magazine}} His first collection of poetry in book form, Search Party, was published by Virgin Books in 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/george-poet-pens-poetry-collection|title=George the Poet pens poetry collection | The Bookseller|website=thebookseller.com}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/19/george-the-poet-review-village-underground|title=George the Poet review - a lesson in rhyme and reason|newspaper=The Observer|first=Ben|last=Thompson|date=19 April 2015}}

In March 2018, it was announced that Mpanga had been elected as a member of the national council of Arts Council England.{{Cite web|url=https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/introducing-our-new-national-council-members|title=Introducing our new National Council Members {{!}} Arts Council England|website=www.artscouncil.org.uk|access-date=3 July 2018}} Shortly afterwards, in June 2018, it came to media attention that Mpanga had been stopped and searched by police in an incident that was video-recorded.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/29/george-the-poet-is-strip-searched-by-police-after-gig|title=George the Poet is strip-searched by police after gig|last=Siddique|first=Haroon|date=29 June 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 October 2019|issn=0261-3077}} Mpanga opened the BBC coverage of the royal wedding, between Prince Harry and Megan Markle, by reading a love poem. He has also appeared twice on the television programme Question Time. In 2019, Mpanga turned down an offer to become an MBE, citing the British Empire's treatment of his ancestral homeland, Uganda.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/25/george-the-poet-rejected-mbe-pure-evil-british-empire|title=George the Poet: I rejected MBE over 'pure evil' of British empire|last=Rawlinson|first=Kevin|date=25 November 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=7 December 2019|issn=0261-3077}}

{{As of|2021|07}}, Mpanga was studying for a PhD in economics at University College London, focusing on the potential for black music to catalyse social power and economic progress.{{cite episode|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000y5tf|title=George the Poet|series=Profile|network=BBC Radio 4|date=24 July 2021|accessdate=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.barbican.org.uk/digital-programmes/george-the-poet-live-from-the-barbican|title=George the Poet: Live from the Barbican|publisher=Barbican Centre|accessdate=24 July 2021}}

Artistry

Mpanga's influences include rappers Nas, Dizzee Rascal, and Tupac Shakur, and poets including Maya Angelou, Black Ice, and George Watsky.Hannah Ellis-Petersen, [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/14/george-the-poet-spoken-word "{{'}}I'm from a community that doesn't often get to represent themselves{{'}}"], The Guardian, 14 December 2014.[https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/apr/11/george-the-poet-protesting-with-poetry "George the Poet on protesting with poetry"], The Guardian, 11 April 2015.

Discography

=Extended plays=

  • The Chicken and the Egg (2014)

=Singles=

  • "It's Yours" (2014)
  • "My City" (2014)
  • "1,2,1,2" (2014)
  • "Cat D" (2015)
  • "Wotless" (2015)
  • "Search Party" (2015)
  • "Search Party 2" (2015)
  • "What Do You Reckon?" (2016)
  • "Wake Up" (2016)
  • "Follow the Leader" (2018)
  • "Make a Change" (2021)

=Guest appearances and collaborations=

  • "Young Kingz Part 1" (2013). Collaboration with Krept & Konan
  • "The Lucky Strike EP" (2013). Collaboration with Mikill Pane
  • "Act I" (2013). Collaboration with Naughty Boy
  • "Act II" (2013). Collaboration with Naughty Boy
  • "Epilogue" (2013). Collaboration with Naughty Boy
  • "In The Quiet" (2014). Collaboration with Nick Brewer and Max Marshall
  • "My City" (2014). Collaboration with Bodhi
  • "Spoken Word" (2016). Collaboration with Chase & Status
  • "Royalty" (2018). Collaboration with Dun D and Tiggs Da Author
  • "If I Gotta Go" (2021). Collaboration with Skrapz
  • "Motivational Speech" (2024). Collaboration with Skrapz and Terrell the Artist

Podcast discography

= ''Have You Heard George's Podcast Chapter One (2018)'' =

  • Episode 1 – Listen CloserListen Closer. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/listencloser] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420124522/https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/listencloser|date=20 April 2019}}, aCast, April 2019.
  • Episode 2 – PopcornPopcorn. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/popcorn], aCast, April 2019.
  • Episode 3 – A Grenfell StoryA Grenfell Story. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/agrenfellstory], aCast, April 2019.
  • Episode 3.5 – Grenfell IIGrenfell II. [https://soundcloud.com/georgethepoet/haveyouheardgeorgespodcast-episode-35], SoundCloud, April 2019.
  • Episode 4 – It's On UsIt's On Us. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/itsonus], aCast, April 2019.
  • Episode 5 – Press PlayPress Play. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/pressplay], aCast, April 2019.
  • Episode 6 – The Journey Pt IThe Journey Pt I. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/thejourneypt1], aCast, April 2019.
  • Episode 7 – The Journey Pt IIThe Journey Pt II. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/thejourneypt2], aCast, April 2019.
  • Episode 8 – Sanyu's WorldSanyu's World. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/sanyusworld], aCast, April 2019.

= ''Have You Heard George's Podcast Chapter Two (2019)'' =

  • Episode 9 – Sabrina's BoyE9. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/urn%3Abbc%3Apodcast%3Am000b18m], aCast, December 2020.
  • Episode 10 – A Bedtime StoryE10. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/urn%3Abbc%3Apodcast%3Am000bb6y], aCast, December 2020.
  • Episode 11 – Writer's BlockE11. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/urn%3Abbc%3Apodcast%3Am000bcnn], aCast, December 2020.
  • Episode 12 – A Night to REMemberE12. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/urn%3Abbc%3Apodcast%3Ap07sq1zv], aCast, December 2020.
  • Episode 13 – A North West StoryE13. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/urn%3Abbc%3Apodcast%3Ap07sq3lg], aCast, December 2020.
  • Episode 14 – A Hard TaskmasterE14. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/urn%3Abbc%3Apodcast%3Am000c5pc], aCast, December 2020.
  • Episode 15 – Who Am I?E15. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/urn%3Abbc%3Apodcast%3Am000c9nd], aCast, December 2020.
  • Episode 16 – Loose EndsE16. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/urn%3Abbc%3Apodcast%3Ap07vsbfk], aCast, December 2020.
  • Episode 17 – The BagE17. [https://play.acast.com/s/georgethepoet/urn%3Abbc%3Apodcast%3Ap07vscp9], aCast, December 2020.
  • Episode 18 – Concurrent AffairsE18. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07vsf20], BBC Sounds, December 2020.

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
Year

! Organisation

! Award

! Result

rowspan="3" |2015

|BRIT Awards

| Critics' Choice{{cite web|url=http://www.brits.co.uk/news/critics-choice-winner-announced|title=Critic's Choice Winner Announced|publisher=Brit Awards|date=4 December 2014}}

|{{nominated}}

MTV

| Brand New for 2015{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/e6xg41/krept-konan-crowned-mtv-brand-new-for-2015-winners|title=Krept & Konan Crowned MTV Brand New For 2015 Winners!|publisher=MTV|date=2 February 2015}}

| {{nominated}}

BBC

| Sound of 2015{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30250416|title=BBC Music Sound Of 2015 longlist revealed|publisher=BBC|date=1 December 2014}}

| style="background:lightgrey"|Fifth

rowspan="6" |2019

| rowspan="5" |British Podcast Awards

| Audioboom Podcast of the Year{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/winners-2019 |title=British Podcast Awards 2019 |year=2019 |website=BPA |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714225452/https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/winners-2019 |url-status=dead }}

|{{won}}

Best Arts & Culture

|{{won}}

Best Fiction

|{{won}}

Best New Podcast

|{{won}}

Smartest Podcast

|{{won}}

Lovie Awards

| Artist of the Year{{cite web |url=https://winners.lovieawards.eu/?_ga=2.53893288.1494357074.1581601550-829239125.1581601550#!sa=305 |title=Lovie Awards|year=2020 |website=Lovieawards.eu |publisher=Lovie |access-date=14 February 2020 }}

|{{Won}}

rowspan="6" | 2020

|Peabody Awards

| Podcast/Radio Award{{cite web |url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/have-you-heard-georges-podcast |title=Peabody Awards 2020 |year=2020 |work=Peabody Awards |access-date=7 May 2020 }}

|{{Won}}

Webby Awards

| Best Podcast Series{{cite web |url=https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting?_ga=2.200769902.11640131.1588887791-591594301.1588080637#/2020/podcasts/features/best-series |title=Webby Awards 2020 |year=2020 |work=Webby Awards |access-date=7 May 2020 }}

|{{Nominated}}

Visionary Arts

| Influencer of the Year{{cite web |url=https://visionaryarts.org.uk/visionary-honours-2020-shortlist-announcement/ |title=Visionary Awards 2020 |year=2020 |work=Visionary Arts |access-date=7 May 2020 }}

|{{won}}

Broadcasting Press Guild

| Podcast of the Year{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastingpressguild.org/2020/03/glenda-jackson-moira-stuart-michael-apted-and-george-the-poetare-among-the-winners-at-the-46th-broadcasting-press-guild-awards/ |title=Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 2020 |year=2020 |work=BPG |access-date=7 May 2020 }}

|{{won}}

NME

| Best Podcast{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/george-the-poet-wins-best-podcast-supported-by-dax-at-nme-awards-2020-2607032 |title=NME Awards 2020 |year=2020 |work=NME |access-date=14 February 2020 }}

|{{won}}

Audio Production Awards

| Best Presenter – Speech{{cite web |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/11/audio-production-awards-2020-winners-announced/ |title=Audio Production Awards 2020 Winners |year=2020 |work=Radio Today |access-date=3 December 2020 }}

|{{won}}

rowspan="4" |2021

| rowspan="4" |Audio and Radio Industry Awards

| Best Speech Presenter{{cite web |url=https://www.radioacademy.org/arias/nominees/ |title=ARIA Awards |year=2021 |access-date=22 April 2021}}

|Won

Best Factual Single Programme

|{{Pending}}

Best Fictional Storytelling

|{{Pending}}

The Creative Innovation Award

|{{Pending}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

  • {{Official website|http://iamgeorgethepoet.co.uk/}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:21st-century English male musicians

Category:21st-century English poets

Category:21st-century English male writers

Category:1991 births

Category:Alumni of King's College, Cambridge

Category:Artists from London

Category:English people of Ugandan descent

Category:British spoken word artists

Category:Island Records artists

Category:Living people

Category:People educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School for Boys

Category:People from Neasden

Category:Rappers from the London Borough of Brent

Category:British spoken word poets

Category:English spoken word artists

Category:English male poets