Meet Rudolph Adidi, the Architect cum Poet

Rudolph Adidi, popularly referred to as Ruddapoet is a young Architect, passionate writer and spoken words poet. Born in 1991, Rudolph hails from the Northern part of Nigeria, Jos in Plateau state. Ruddapoet is a graduate from University of Jos, where he studied Architecture. He is a member of Abuja Literary Society (ALS), pioneered by Dike Chukwumerije, who is also one of the front-liners of spoken words poetry. 

His exposure and interest in reading all kinds of literature, which started from a tender age, motivated and informed his decision to take up poetry writing and subsequently poetry performance, which he has come to love and is very good at. He is the current Slam Champion of the much coveted quarterly Slam Competition, and a winner of the Association of Nigerian Authors Poetry Competition, Abuja Chapter. 

In his argument about the inception of spoken words, he claims that contemporary poets are not much of writers but are performers, and so this is where spoken words come in handy.

In trying to explain what spoken words poetry is about, he says; "Spoken words poetry, especially in the country is just coming up and the audience are beginning to like it, because it is entertaining and a form of art. We artists try to find where we're good at in spoken words poetry.

"Spoken words is art in which a poet expresses himself using his poems, through recital either from memory or from props. Spoken words is an inspiration from the black Americans. They freestyle and tell you it's a poem; it's spoken words. There's usually a lot of rhyme, pattern and rhythm. 

"The clear-cut difference between spoken words poetry and rap is that rap answers to musical terms and thematics, while spoken words poetry answers to poetic dictates", he argued. 

Rudolph draws inspiration from everywhere, ranging from his mood, to his environment, to the happenings of the time, amongst others. He writes about everything that's worth writing about. After coming second at the auditions, he is currently waiting to contest in the upcoming War of Words competition, which will take place in Lagos.