BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI– Some stories are written on paper. Others are lived, felt and eventually turned into words. For Sibusiso Shongwe, better known as Bless LePoet, life itself has become a source of poetry, music and storytelling.
The Phonjwane-born creative has built his identity around poetry that draws from real-life struggles, human behaviour and issues affecting society. His work moves between spoken word and music, creating a space where difficult experiences can be confronted through rhythm and verse.
One of his notable pieces, Bengisemngcwabeni Wami, imagines the poet attending his own funeral, offering an emotional reflection on life and mortality.
His creative journey began in Hip-Hop, where he was known as Yung BadNewz. It was while in Form 3 that he became fascinated by poetry’s ability to carry long, detailed messages. He began taking the craft more seriously in late 2021, drawing inspiration from fellow Liswati poet Scooby The Poet, born Sibonginkhosi Ngwenya.
Since then, Bless LePoet has expanded his work into music, film and comedy while taking his poetry beyond Eswatini. His growing body of work has included international recognition from US-based Pepper Magazine and collaborations with artists from across the region.
His latest chapter is Second Chance (Remix), featuring King Mzesh and BadRelief, produced by XeRo and BR and set for release on September 29. The Hip-Hop track reflects on past struggles, resilience, faith and gratitude for life’s simple blessings. He is also developing After Tears, an Afro-Poetry project with Fezeka Nkosi, which continues the emotional journey begun in Bengisemngcwabeni Wami.
Away from his own work, Bless LePoet uses his platform to create space for others through Bars2Bars Cypher Seasons, a Hip-Hop initiative supporting emerging artists. For him, the journey remains one of turning pain into language and language into something that can move another person.
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(Courtesy Pic)
