In this exclusive interview with Esther Salami of The News Chronicle, popular spoken word artist and poet Hafsat Abdullahi, also known as Havfy or The Girl in English Class, shares her journey into stardom. From captivating audiences with her powerful spoken word performances to making a mark in the world of fashion, Havfy’s talents are as diverse as they are impressive. In this interview, she also offers advice to young people, particularly girls and women. Her testimony is nothing short of stunning.
TNC: How did your background or upbringing influence the person you’ve become today?
Havfy: My background is the foundation of all my niches. I was raised in a typical Nigerian household. With no means and little to no opportunities, I was raised to be content but I was not generally comfortable with my living condition. Consciously or unconsciously, I found myself moved towards goals and opportunities to better my life and that of my family. I owe it all to being uncomfortable and dissatisfied with mediocrity, I owe it to the hardship, but I also owe it to my parents who taught me to be happy in every step of the way.
TNC: Your way with words is absolutely stunning. Who are your biggest artistic influences, both within and outside of spoken word poetry?
Havfy: Within the literary category, I would always refer to Dike Chukwumerije, Titilope Sonuga, Niyi Osubdare, Ebony Stewart, Wana, Chimamada Adiche, Dan Brown. Then outside the literary space, there is a number of people, so much that the page will not contain. I will single out Beyoncé because of her dogged and untiring attitude to her craft, then Don Jazzy who taught me a lesson in community, but the list is endless. Each of these amazing personalities I look up to, I do because of certain beautiful qualities I want to learn from them.
TNC: Besides spoken word poetry, do you also write traditional poetry, and if so, who are your favorite poets?
Havfy: I actually started with prose, then I got initiated to spoken word poetry through traditional poetry. Niyi Odubdare’s “killing without a sword” resonated with me at the time. Then there was his other poem “The Stars Did It”. I found these poems in some old literature text in our house and that was how my poetry journey started. I started off as a page poet till I started to read my page poems and people actually do like it. Niyi was the initiator of my interest in poetry and he still is till today. I have a reasonable number of his poems offhand as a result.
TNC: I remember the first day I heard your poem, “The Girl in English Class,” which title has become your nickname. I don’t mince words when I say it’s one of the best poems I’ve ever heard. What inspired you to write that piece?Havfy: I wrote it for a competition. It was themed “Babel_A new language” and when the talk about mother tongue came to question, all that played in my head was the ridicule I got as a result of my mother tongue. All the times I was laughed at, because of the J factor in my speech, and how I have tried so hard to lose that mother tongue so I can be accepted and liked by my peers. But the scary thing about losing your identity is you’ll never be the ones you’re trying so hard to emulate. The question I asked was; “what was wrong with my own identity? Why should I be ashamed of having an accent when obviously I am multi-lingual? That piece was my answer. I will not apologize for my mother’s legacy. There really is no dignity in denying my identity.
TNC: I must say that, aside from the fact that you are a beautiful lady, one of the most striking things about you is the confidence you exude when you speak and perform. In a world where many women struggle with self-esteem issues, how did you develop this confidence?
Havfy: The society is designed in such a way that women pick up certain inhibitions as they grow. They are beauty standards, they are etiquettes, and so on. I’d say I was born without inhibitions but who isn’t? No woman was born with the proper behavior, we are shaped by the kind of environment we’re exposed to. I believe it has a lot to do with upbringing.
Although I was born with so much, I was raised with a sense of dignity and self-worth. I was happy with my little, I was content. I was loved and I was taught how to love and as a result, I am secure. Insecurities are born out of inhibitions and inhibitions, in turn, yield self-doubt and lack of confidence. I am confident today partly because of my mindset that began its shaping from childhood and because I have learned to add competence to that mindset. “Competence” because even if one is not given the opportunity of a healthy upbringing, one is not doomed. A person can build confidence by self-development. Maybe learning a new skill, getting more exposed, and building connections and when you see progress, your confidence is bound to grow. My life has seen different kinds of progress over the years, from the small to the big, [and] it helped to also sustain my confidence.
TNC: What are the challenges you’ve faced in your artistic journey, and how did you overcome them?
Havfy: The means to pursue my dreams was the biggest challenge. I was jogging from [one] competition after another, one talent show after the next so I could see money to support my craft. That was the biggest challenge I had. At a time it was so discouraging I thought of quitting. But I’m glad I did not.
TNC: Beyond your spoken word artistry, you are an excellent fashionista. Could you share some insights into that aspect of your life? Additionally, are there any upcoming fashion-related projects or collaborations that you’re excited about?
Havfy: My grandfather was a Tailor, my mother used to be a seamstress and I picked up the passion in some cartoons I was exposed to as a child. But right from time, I had a very unconventional taste in dressing. I liked to experiment, to style, and tweak things. I later told my mother about my interests and enrolled at a fashion school at 14 years of age and graduated when I was 17. The plan was to keep practicing but then my spoken word craft took over the spotlight and the craft is a very jealous craft that doesn’t like to be mixed with anything. But somehow I still make it work. There is a lot to me that my newfound fanbase are yet to see and I am excited to uncover these layers as my bond with them grows. I now have a page called Havfy’s Fashion and I intend to use the platform to share the fashionista side of me by sharing styling inspirations and making innovative wears that will not only last seasons but a lifetime. So stay tuned….
TNC: What are your long-term goals as a spoken word artist, and what legacy do you hope to leave through your work?
Havfy: Besides the awards and the accolades, I want to change lives. I want my voice to be a reference point at a gathering for rhetorics, I want to immortalize my words, I want to mount them in the sands of time so that even even I am no more, I will remain an echo of consciousness, I will remain the rude awakening to the betterment of humanity. But before then, I will be kind to myself and take every step as they come, changing the world, one metaphor at a time.
TNC: If you could give one piece of advice to young people, especially girls, what would that be?
Havfy: Bravery knows no gender…
TNC: Finally, what advice would you give to emerging spoken word artists who are looking to make a name for themselves?
Havfy: Don’t stop… Do it small, do it inexperienced, do it scared, do it crying, do it poor, do it uncertain, do it confused and embarrassed. But don’t stop!
