WERI LA VOIX SLAM DU MOIS DE L' HISTOIRE DES NOIRS
- Editor
- Feb 16
- 3 min read
On the occasion of Black History Month, a committed artist stands out through the power of her words and the sincerity of her journey. A slam poet and communicator, Wyry Poetry uses her voice as a tool for impact, blending introspection, cultural heritage, and social engagement.
Behind this distinctive stage name lies a deeply rooted story. “My real first name is Irina,” she reveals, before explaining the origin of her artistic identity. Coming from the BT people in Côte d’Ivoire, she explains: “Where means the voice, it means speak.” A choice that is far from random, but one that reflects a calling: “When I discovered that I was called to use my voice to touch hearts […] I told myself that it would be my artist name.”
Her journey is marked by displacement and disruption. Arriving in France at the age of eight, she recalls a “cultural shock” that led her to withdraw into herself. It was in this context that she discovered poetry, particularly through the works of Baudelaire and Victor Hugo. “A poem that spoke about the nostalgia of one’s country […] that was my first connection with poetry,” she recounts. Writing then became a refuge: “Paper became my confidant.”
After a break, her return to writing happened unexpectedly during a university competition. “I told myself: ‘Oh, so I actually write,’” she remembers. She then chose slam as her means of expression, a format that allows her to merge poetry and performance. Inspired notably by Grand Corps Malade, she created her first piece using an existing instrumental.
This first slam, titled Love Yourself, marked a decisive turning point. Designed as part of a project aimed at strengthening women’s self-esteem, it is rooted in personal and spiritual reflection. “We focus on ‘you must love others,’ but we often forget ‘as yourself,’” she emphasizes, referencing a biblical verse. For her, self-love is essential: “You must fill yourself up and then pour into others.”
Her work is also part of a broader reflection on Black identity in a Western context. She speaks about the realities of microaggressions and the sense of otherness experienced as a Black woman. “I learned that I was different,” she explains, before denouncing certain stereotypical remarks encountered in everyday life. In response, writing becomes a space for resistance and empowerment: “I also have value […] I don’t have to fit into a mold to be accepted.”
Her texts celebrate this embraced and affirmed identity, as reflected in her lines: “I am a Black woman, I shine even in the shadow of gazes […] I am the star that sparkles at night.”
Primarily followed by a female audience, particularly from the Afro-descendant diaspora, Wyry Poetry speaks to those who share similar experiences of invisibility or injustice. “They recognize themselves through my story,” she says, referring to women facing obstacles in professional or social environments.
Despite the challenges, she observes a positive evolution in the recognition of Black communities. “I see an improvement […] there are more spaces to celebrate ourselves,” she notes, while calling for continued efforts: “No limits.”
Today, the artist embodies a multifaceted path. With a degree in marketing and communication, she balances a career as a consultant with her artistic work. “I consider myself multipotential,” she states. A reality that allows her to combine professional stability with creative expression.
On stage, her slam continues to resonate as a call for awakening and action. In one of her most striking pieces, she challenges: “Awaken your potential from this sleep […] what are you doing on this earth?”
In conclusion, her message is both universal and forward-looking: “Believe in your dreams, go for it […] do not live a monotonous life. There is something great waiting for you.”
Through her words, Wyry Poetry does more than tell a story: she invites everyone to write their own, with boldness and authenticity.
Comments