Have You Heard George's Podcast?

BBC Sounds

4.8 (224)
DRAMA

The award-winning and critically-acclaimed podcast from George the Poet delivers a fresh take on inner city life through a mix of storytelling, music and fiction.

APR 12

Special: This Cultural Life

George talks to John Wilson about some of his most formative cultural influences including the grammar school that taught him the essay-writing skills he still puts to use when making his podcast. He reveals how Tupac Shakur’s 1998 song Changes ignited his interest in hip hop, and discusses the impact of rap and grime on his own verse. He also remembers how his local community radio station gave him his first break and encouraged the development as a performer. Producer: Edwina Pitman

44 min
12/22/2023

38. Once Upon a Time in Kampala

In Uganda’s capital city, a young cab driver forms an unlikely bond with a sex worker during the crippling lockdown of 2021. They are both forced to make tough decisions. Written by George the Poet Produced by Benbrick & George the Poet Original Music and Sound Design by Benbrick.

26 min
12/15/2023

37. Back to Common Ground

George responds to audience questions taken from Common Ground, the platform he co-created in Chapter 3. Listeners discuss everything from art to race using prompts from previous episodes, reaffirming the importance of the artist/audience relationship.

41 min
12/01/2023

36. Jamaican DemAhCrazy Pt. 2

Shaken by the passing of his grandmother, George reflects on the post-colonial struggles of her generation. 1970s Jamaica provides an early case study of the weaponised debt that went on to re-colonise much of the global South. A look back on previous episodes illuminates patterns of exploitation and extraction across African/Western relations. This is the global context that frames the questionable role of the International Monetary Fund in the perpetuation of poverty. George is reminded by his grandmother’s legacy that fighting for justice is always an option. Written by George the Poet Produced by Benbrick & George the Poet With an original score composed by Benbrick and recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra.

26 min
11/17/2023

35. Jamaican DemAhCrazy Pt. 1

When keeping it real goes…wrong? For a moment in the seventies, Jamaican democracy produced an ambitious plan to end inequality between countries. But when the island’s socialist leader, Michael Manley, flew too close to the sun, he got burnt. What was the New International Economic Order? Why did it rattle Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan so much? On this fast-paced tour of Jamaican history, George looks back at the rise and fall of the Third World’s biggest political project. Written by George the Poet Produced by Benbrick and George the Poet Original score composed by Benbrick and recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra

27 min
11/10/2023

34. Francophone Pt. 2

When is a breakup not a breakup? When your ex controls every aspect of your life. After walking through the freedom struggles of Ghana and the Congo in previous episodes, George turns his attention towards the “former” French colonies of West and Central Africa. What happens when freedom is gifted conditionally, not won through revolution? Is all independence created equal? Written by George the Poet Produced by Benbrick and George the Poet Original Score by Benbrick recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra Sound Design by Benbrick

27 min
10/27/2023

33: Francophone Pt. 1

The power of Western languages over African economies is undeniable, and nowhere is this more obvious than in Black music. Despite "Francophone” meaning French-speaking, across Africa, it signifies so much more. George looks at the power dynamics between the English-speaking world, the French-speaking world and the Africans forced to navigate both. How did these languages become so important? And what do they reveal about the legacy of colonialism? Written by George the Poet Produced by Benbrick & George the Poet Original score composed by Benbrick and performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra

22 min
10/20/2023

32. Drama in Ghana Pt. 2

After achieving independence, Ghana gave support to freedom fighters across Africa. What went wrong? Written by George the Poet. Produced by Benbrick and George the Poet. Original score by Benbrick and recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Sound Design by Benbrick.

24 min

See All (44)

George The Poet

Host

4.8

out of 5

224 Ratings

Amazing

12/20/2023

ellej000

Came here from a suggestion from another podcast. I’m a writer myself and I was searching for inspiration in other work because i was so stuck on one part of a story I’m writing. I started listening from the Ep Bedtime story but I have NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP. I’m a listener in the USA and its mind blowing how similar the up bringing in London and here can be so similar. You have so much heart in your episodes its so inspiring. Your podcast made me realize how important it is to LIVE to experience before putting anything on paper. Thank you for sharing your experience the way you do. And thank you for continuing to bring such a vivid story of your experience. Thank you.
Beautiful!!!

10/07/2023

Huruma Rugagi

I’ve always been told by my Black American friends that Black history needs to be understood through music. Well I’ve tried, but I’m not musically gifted and China Anne McClain’s Black history bit in A.N.T. Farm was as far as my ungifted self could understand through music until now. Instead, I read books, like “Caste” and listened to podcasts, like “1918” as the information-gathering that best approximated what the Black experience that they wanted me to feel. But those mostly isolated the experiences of trauma, not life in all of its complexity and richness and connection and insightful life lessons. This is the bridge I needed to understand Black history in the way that my friends wanted me to understand, to feel the music and to understand the culture and life experiences through the music. Thank you for building this bridge. This podcast is absolutely beautiful in both its rhythmic poetry and its heart-felt insightfulness. As a White American living in Kenya with my Rwandan-born/DR Congo-grown partner, I have enough life experiences to believe that you are doing all the stories justice with absolute care and insightfulness. Beautiful. Thank you for this gift. I have always needed this.
The sound the words are everything

07/18/2021

whoischan

As a fellow podcaster for she gets it pod… I’m so happy your back for another season!!! I share this with others!!!! I believe we the people should always have more when it comes to music!!!! No one should be suffering after they create vibes, music and art for the world. Corporations should not build generational wealth off our backs. It’s wrong!!! We are the creators!!! Def time to own it
Pod in God Mode

12/07/2020

Autumn Flew

💯unique thought provoking relevant. Best podcast ever.

The award-winning and critically-acclaimed podcast from George the Poet delivers a fresh take on inner city life through a mix of storytelling, music and fiction.