Words First: Are you the next spoken word star?

Words First is a talent development scheme that will run throughout 2022. Selected artists will be given the chance to attend digital workshops in April and May 2022 (please see full workshop dates below), where they will work with established artists and mentors to develop their work, and be given a platform to perform their own work at digital showcases.

There will be a talent showcase performance at the Contains Strong Language Festival 2022 in Birmingham, where shortlisted artists from the digital workshops will be invited to perform (further details on nature of performance i.e. remotely or in person to be confirmed in due course).

Additionally, throughout the scheme selected artists will be mentored and supported by the BBC and fantastic regional poetry organisations such as Young Identity and Apples & Snakes.

Words First finalists in 2019 and 2020 were later commissioned by BBC Arts to create a series of films for BBC Learning and iPlayer. In 2020, finalists were asked to respond to the word protest and what it meant to them. This year, 2022 finalists will have the chance to be commissioned by BBC Arts to create a poem for an animated film to be broadcast on BBC Four.

1Xtra previously ran the Words First scheme in 2015 - 2017 with support from George The Poet and Kojey Radical, and the finalists included Isaiah Hull, Amina Jama, Solomon O.B., Reuben Field, Liam McCormick and Asma Elbadawi. They all performed at The Roundhouse in 2016 and at the Contains Strong Language Festival in 2017, and Isaiah went on to perform at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2016.

To take part this time, simply upload a short performance video. Entries open on Monday 14th February 2022, and videos should be no more than 1 minute long. As this is a spoken word talent search, videos with a backing track or other music will not be accepted, so please perform on silence. Your video application must be submitted before entries close at 23:59, Monday 7th March March 2022.

Follow the links to the entry form and Terms and Conditions below, but please read the FAQs underneath before you enter.

WORKSHOPS

How long will the workshop(s) take?
The workshops will take place every Thursday (18:30-20:30) over six weeks. Workshops will start from Thursday 14th April, artists will be expected to submit their showcase video from Thursday 5th May – Thursday 12th May (midnight) with the final workshop concluding on Thursday 19th May.

If selected, Apples & Snakes or Young Identity will be in touch, providing you with the relevant workshop details.

Who will be running the workshop(s)?
Workshops will be conducted by a variety of tutors where you will explore writing, performing, editing and developing an authentic voice. Each tutor shall have experience in performing and facilitating such workshops.

Thursday 14th April: Introduction
Thursday 21st April: Form & Structure
Thursday 28th April: Developing New Writing Content
Thursday 5th May: Editing & Performance
Thursday 12th May: No workshop – artists to submit their video performance for showcase by midnight
Thursday 19th May: Showcase

Calling the Shots Films will be hosting an animation workshop for artists on Tuesday 3rd May at 18:30. The workshop will be lead by internationally established practitioner Ellie Land.

How much does the workshop cost?
The workshops are free of charge for selected participants to attend. You do, however, need a laptop or device which can connect to the internet. If you have a specific need, please provide us with details.

PARTICIPATING IN WORDS FIRST

What if I’ve never performed in public before?
The workshops are for amateur spoken word artists of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been performing for years.

What do you mean by spoken word?
‘Spoken word’ is a tricky one to define but you can check out BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Spoken Word Explained for more information.

Ultimately, Words First is an open call for spoken word artists, rappers, MCs, poets and performers – so if you create work in any of these forms, we want to hear from you.

What quality does my video need to be?
You can record it on your mobile phone, a webcam or whatever you like – as long as it’s a clear recording and we’re able to hear and see you clearly.

How do I record and upload a video of myself?
You don’t have to use professional equipment to make your recording – the quality of video will not be judged. You could simply use a webcam on your laptop or on a computer at a local library, or use the video feature on your phone or a camera (or maybe ask a friend if you don’t have access to a camera that records).

If you need help on recording your video, there are lots of guides and tutorials on ‘how to record a video of yourself’ available on the internet. Once you've recorded your video, you can upload it here.

What if my video is over 1 minute long?
It’s fine to submit a video longer than 1 minute, but we will only watch the FIRST minute.

Who will be shortlisting applications?
You will be shortlisted by the Words First Partners, as well as team members at BBC Radio 1Xtra and the BBC editorial team. They aren’t looking for polished performances, just artists who can show their passion, originality and personality.

How will you be contacting the successful participants to join the workshops?
We’ll be in touch with each selected candidate by the end of March 2022. If we don’t hear from you straight away, we’ll send you an email - so be sure to include your contact details in your application.

You will only have 24 hours in which to get back to us – if we can’t get hold of you during this period we will offer that place to another participant, so be sure to get back to us if we leave you a message.

Due to the volume of entries, unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted. Please note the workshops are only open to people aged between 18 to 30 years old.

RECORDINGS OF YOUR WORK

What will happen to the recording I make of my work that I submit as part of the application process?
Whilst you retain the copyright for your work, the BBC will have a license to publish, broadcast and release your video online, or on any other platforms.

Please read the Terms and Conditions for more information. Video submissions cannot be returned, so please remember to retain a copy.