This year's Auckland Writers Festival sees Australian slam poet champ Omar Musa face off with one of our best, Hip Hop hero King Kapisi . The two will meet in an a capella match-up , trading rhymes for an hour in front of a live audience.
King Kapisi Photo: Supplied
For King Kapisi, it's a chance to change some minds and earn respect from a different kind of audience.
"I'm looking forward to when poetry people can listen and go 'Damn, those rappers are pretty cool'.
Omar Musa might be more familiar with both the format and with performing his lyrics without the aid of backing music.
The Malaysian-Australian writer has two books of poetry to his credit and in 2014 published his debut novel. He has also released three Hip Hop albums.
Meanwhile, King Kapisi is cagey but confident ahead of the match up.
I don't think I'm "ready" ready. But I'm up for the challenge!
King Kapisi and Omar Musa appear at the Auckland Writers Festival on 13 May.
