Princess Emmanuelle a.k.a. EmpresS *1 (الامبراطورة الاولي )
The Artistic and Founding Director of Kamitan Arts CIC, and the driving force behind the ‘Poetry 4 Grenfell’ project, as well as the compiler and editor of the multilingual and inter-generational book. She is a (Ladbroke Grove) ‘Grove’-raised British female bi-lingual Rap-Poetess, Humanitarian, Choreographer and Freelance Performing Arts facilitator and Project coordinator of Afrikan and Middle Eastern heritage, that is very fond of her Sa3ayda, Upper Egyptian roots. A professionally trained Dancer (RTS, NSCD, BRIT, Urdang, LCDS), that initially cross paths with the Spoken Word to channel her artistic expression and emotionally heal after a serious dance injury nearly two decades ago. In the early 2000’s she entered the Spoken Word profession as ‘Princess Emmanuelle’ (later known as EmpresS *1 @EmpresS1Egypt), debuted her first ‘Word, Sound, Power’ album soon after “Born Into a Drowning World” which launched at The Tabernacle, 2001, and hasn’t looked back since. Having her work published in newspapers, magazines, books, albums and aired on radio and TV internationally. Princess Emmanuelle delivers Dance and Rap-Poetry workshops, working on performances, and collaborating on productions fusing Dance, Drama, and Poetry through Hip-Hop -Theatre with her non-profit community company, Kamitan Arts (KA). Recognised as “Egypt’s Sole Female Rapper” Egypt Today (Feb 2010) during her mid-career, EmpresS *1 has shared stages and opened up for some greats such as Jocelyn Brown (UK), PUBLIC ENEMY (UK/US), Gyptian (UK/JA), West el Balad (Egypt), O Rappa (Aracaju, Brazil), Raconais MCs (with Julio Serrano in Rio, Brazil), Dawn Penn (UK), Keith Murray (UK/US) and Al Griffiths from The Gladiators (Brazil/JA), Suheir Hammad (UK/US), Benjamin Zephaniah (Birmingham and Egypt ). Princess Emmanuelle’s work has taken her beyond the UK; to Egypt, Brazil, Sudan, and Berlin, yet, “you can take the girl out of the Grove, but you can never take the Grove out of the girl!” …she never forgets home.
After the Grenfell Tower fire that happened in my childhood area of Ladbroke Grove, I hardly wrote anything myself, I was very shocked, deeply upset and overwhelmed with emotions. Ironically enough I had naturally responded by helping others, through running Poetry workshops for the community as a way to channel the hurt, pain and mixed feelings. I later compiled the poems that were submitted, edited them into what became the “Poetry 4 Grenfell” book a year later, which raises awareness, amplifies our community’s voices and which now exists as a living testimonial and community heritage asset for us all.
4 years on I began writing this fresh piece, which has been tweeked for the 5 year anniversary, also recited on BBC Radio London for Robert Elms last week (link to come), it is still not finished…
What words could I possibly speak, That would heal the pain, loss and grief, Create a paradigm shift at the Inquiry So as to help you better sleep? Justice hasn't been served, 5 Years on and they still have the nerve?! To lie with a devil's tantalising tongue, Producing manipulative reports, Conceiving deceitful discourse. The Community will never be silenced for our efforts for Justice is always rising, As our Hopes are held up high to the sky Where we are protected by the Most High. As ancestors and Community angels pass us by soaring high high hiiiiigh - way up high... Always with us in Heart, Mind, and Soul That's the essence of the Truth that we cherish and we know. Looking out for their beloved ones here below, Appreciating our efforts and the seeds of Hope that we sow. Year 1, Year 2 , Year 3 Year 4, Our stories will-continue to be told! Now Year 5, our voices still remain alive! (x2) Memories we hold untlold now told, Testimonies and shared experiences worth Gold, Such as our Goal: For Justice to prevail through a United Vision Without discrimination, or Judgemental criticism. For Justice to prevail Through a United Vision! Don’t matter if you’re Black, White, Yellow, believe in Jesus, Mohammed, Krishna or Sikhism. Judgement Day soon come, Rich or Poor it’s for everyone! You can’t escape the scales of Truth, not even with the Powers that you now use, to control and misconstrue the Truth. May we find comfort in knowing that those responsible for such atrocities will be held accountable in the realms of Right Action and Divine VIRTUE… In the realms of Right Action and Divine VIRTUE… What words could I possibly speak, That would heal the pain, loss and grief, Create a paradigm shift at the Inquiry So as to help you better sleep? Justice hasn't been served, 5 Years on and they still have the nerve?! Year 1, Year 2 , Year 3 Year 4, Our stories will-continue to be told! Now Year 5, our Voices still remain Alive! Year 1, Year 2 , Year 3 Year 4, Our stories will-continue to be told! Now Year 5, our will power still remains alive! As ancestors and Community angels pass us by soaring high high hiiiiigh - way up high Always with us in Heart, Mind, and Soul That's the essence of the Truth that we cherish and we know. May all those that have passed on Rest in Dive Peace in the realms of Right Action and Divine Virtue, with the Most High. Ankh-Wdja-Snb* Amen Ashe’… 💚
What’s So Different? Festival Fastings, Festival Feastings, Veil on the head, And families meeting, Eid celebrations, Christmas and Easter, Praising a prophet, saint or spiritual leader. Values of living so similar in essence, Morals of kindness, forgiveness, and loving, Peace and equality, patience is a blessing. Know thyself and appreciate all that is living. What’s so different? What’s so different? Between him or her What’s so different? What’s so different? Between here and there What’s so different? If you’re Muslim, or if you are Christian A label to ur name but there’s not much difference! Mother Earth was not created 4 just u, u, u, It was also not created 4 jus’ a few, few, few, Different cultures, tribes and groups I hear u boo, boo, boo, Different languages and looks, Spirituality ‘n Religions too. R u really, r u really open minded r u? Humble and respectful with integrity 2? R u biased with ur views, prejudice with ur actions, Then jus ready to chat ‘n put up the Unity caption?! What’s so different? What’s so different? Between him or her What’s so different? What’s so different? Between here and there What’s so different? If you’re Ethiopian, or if you are Egyptian A label to ur name, but there’s not much difference! I know a place that we all come from 1 Jah, Rabena, Igzeyabaar, Allah its 11 1Love 1 Peace 1Life It’s a blessing Why so many fuss ‘n fight ignoring spiritual lessons… Laws of the Spirit r simply Universal, Don’t lie, Don’t cheat, Don’t hurt, no deceit, When u meet with a blessing make sure u appreciate it, Coz if u don’t stay pure u kno u gonna pay 4 it. U like Yellow, I like Lavender, He likes Green, But she likes none of them, I speak Egyptian, U speak Amharic, She speaks Chinese, They speak sign language. (Let there be peace on earth sign language movement) Oi Tudo bem?2 Tenayistillin yo! Igzeyabaar Yamasgaan3 Kieryalaison Languages differ like your hands and your feet But we still understand Love Now let’s all say Ameen! What’s so different? What’s so different? Between him or her What’s so different? What’s so different? Between here and there What’s so different? If you’re Muslim, or if you are Christian A label to ur name but there’s not much difference! What’s so different? What’s so different? Between him or her What’s so different? What’s so different? Between here and there What’s so different? If you’re Ethiopian, or if you are Saudi A label to ur name but there’s not much difference!
This poem is published in “Lyrically Justified Vol. 1 – Poetic Freedom of Expression” by Urban Word Collective, 2016.
To purchase a copy:
https://www.urbanwordcollective.co.uk/store/p1/Lyrically_Justified_Vol.1.html
1 God = Jah (Rastafarians), Rabena (Egyptian – mainly Coptic Orthodox), Igzeyabaar (Amharic – Ethiopian), Allah (Arabic – used by Muslim and Christians).
2 How are you? = Tudo bem? (Portuguese), Tenayistillin (Amharic – Ethiopian)
3 Thanks be to God = Igzeyabaar Yamasgaan (Amharic), Lord have mercy = Keiryalaison (Coptic)