Poppy Seed

POPPY SEED takes performance poetry to a new level. As a pioneer of the ‘Spoken Soul’ genre, she has been described as being “on the cusp of Poetry and Song” and sheds a positive light on the Urban music scene. Born in London on Poppy Day (11.11), Angela Harvey, (POPPY SEED) the daughter of a Jamaican veteran has been writing poetry since childhood. Seasoned by the vibrant London Soul music scene of the 80’s and subsequent travel to New York and Georgia which brought American Jazz, Funk & Gospel influences to her music; A chance performance at the renowned Spellman College and Paul Robeson Theatre in Atlanta, USA were the first appearances in 1989. After travel to the Middle East and Jamaica, POPPY SEED with her concept of conscious well crafted lyrics put to original music and performed with 10 live musicians started germinating in 1993. She soon materialised on the London poetry and alternative music scene and delighted audiences with poetry and live music that educates, entertains and inspires. The release of the self financed album ‘A Taste’ (limited edition) circulated underground and POPPY SEED soon emerged as the “Uncrowned Queen of the Poetry Scene”. With no financial backing sustaining a 10 piece band proved challenging and PA’s and small acoustic music sets were imposed. She has made steady waves on the poetry circuit for the past decade. “The warm Revolutionary” is a phrase penned by The Jamaican Observer, after her ground breaking tour there in 1998-1999. Back to England for the Millennium she was awarded ‘Black Woman of the Year for Arts’ and in 2005/6 'Best Poet' by Black Women in the Arts. These accolades have continued as her personal appearances have spanned Glastonbury Festival, Portabella Jazz Fest, Literary Festivals, Royal Festival Hall, ICA, The Rock Garden, The Albany, Oval Theatre, Africa Centre, Subterania, The Fridge, Schools, Colleges, Universities and Prisons. POPPY SEED also featured on the soundtrack of the stunning acclaimed Pan African Award winning films ‘500 Years Later’ and ‘Our Story Our Voice’ (2007) by Owen Alik Shahada and tipped to be involved with the future 2009 film ‘Motherland.’ In recent years POPPY SEED has impacted on high profile Corporate Arenas, countless Social Justice Campaigns in the UK and abroad including Germany (Lyrik Eins Poetry Festival), New York, Philadelphia and South Africa (Step Afrika), gaining National & International notoriety. Further seasoned and encouraged by Mentors and Associates - Mutabaruka (Godfather of Dub Poetry), Sade (Queen of Sultry Soul) and Producers David Ivory (The Roots, Gill Scot), Delroy Murray (Total Contrast), Robin Millar (Sade) and Paul Hussey (Celloman, Thabani). This Poet Activist, Composer, Playwright, Singer/Songwriter, who has been a College Lecturer for over a decade has composed and penned an extensive repertoire. In 2007, the new Album ‘Coming Through’ is a selection from that wide range. It aims to solidify her presence and make an official POPPY SEED imprint into the wider public and music industry with its unique spin on Poetic Soulful, Jazz Roots and Culture. POPPY SEED has also facilitated workshops in vocal training, song & creative writing and performance poetry skills. Described as being a “cut between Eryka Badu and Sade” and “a breeze of her own”; POPPY SEED‘s original music crosses genres to embrace Jazz, Soul, R&B, African Roots, Rock, Reggae and pop influences which enhance the themes of her poetry. The lyrics are socially and environmentally aware, conscious and easy to listen to. POPPY SEED describes herself as “an environmentally friendly humanitarian who is dealing in poetic sound power to entertain and educate.”