Fatshimetrie, November 10, 2024 – The importance of the theatrical aspect in the art of slam was highlighted during the closing of a residency-workshop at the Wallonie Bruxelles center in Kinshasa. During this event, a new concept called “slamatre” was presented, merging slam and theater to give a new dimension to poetic performance.
Benjamin Masiya, member of the slam collective “Tetra”, stressed the need to revive the energy of slam by infusing it with a theatrical dimension. According to him, slamatre not only attracts a wider audience but also renews the art of slam by giving it a scenic and visual dimension. This approach was developed during a workshop led by the Belgian writer Aliette Griz, which sparked many reflections and debates among the participants.
Slamatre aims to explore the links between slam and theatre, highlighting the possible interactions between these two forms of artistic expression. It is not only about creating an engaging poetic performance, but also about playing on codes and conventions to surprise and captivate the audience. This innovative approach has met with great success among the members of the Tetra collective, who have already had the opportunity to perform at various cultural events in Kinshasa and express their committed vision of the art of slam.
For Benjamin Masiya, slam is much more than just a form of poetry: it is a way to give a voice to the voiceless, to convey strong and engaging messages that resonate with the audience. By combining the theatrical aspect with slam, the Tetra collective seeks to renew the slam scene in Kinshasa and explore new possibilities for artistic expression.
In conclusion, the concept of slamatre opens new perspectives for the art of slam by bringing it a theatrical and scenic touch that makes it even more captivating and engaging for the public. This fusion between slam and theater promises to revolutionize the artistic scene in Kinshasa and breathe new life into the art of committed poetry.