Franale’s Hip-Hop N Poetry Nights, Guyana’s premiere Hip-Hop N Poetry event, prepares to host its ninth anniversary on November 27th, 2022.
Recognising that Hip-Hop and Poetry, continue to influence the Guyanese lifestyle. We invited the events’ founder to tell us about herself and her event.
| #HookedToThe592:- Join with us in, enjoying this brief look at the growth of the event and please consider supporting Franale’s Hip-Hop N Poetry Nights.
Gtmemoirs: Firstly, thank you for accepting our interview invitation. And for those, who like us are now about to start learning about who you are, and how you live, please tell us about who is Franale Holder.
Franale: Well, I consider myself to be a woman of superior intellectual capabilities, I am someone who has doubts sometimes as it pertains to all the things I want to achieve… from making my mark in this world through the Arts, entertainment, and music to creating generational wealth.
Gtmemoirs: With Franale’s Hip-Hop N Poetry Nights, you have managed to deliver a performance space for Guyanese Hip-Hop Artists and Poets. Tell us about how it all started and the current state of affairs with its continued growth.
Franale: I was into hip-hop while I was traveling in my 20s… met a lot of interesting people along the way.
When I decided to come to Guyana I saw the lack of platforms for other genres of music and found that to be disappointing… took it upon myself to make a few calls and invest my own money into what’s now known as Franale’s Hip-Hop N Poetry Nights.
I had hoped to be much further along by now but getting a major sponsor or donor has proven to be difficult.
I am not a big deal yet so companies aren’t lining up to give back.
I however still believe that things are going to elevate to great heights in the very near future.
While major sponsors have not been on board, I’ve had special prize sponsors donate money or services to the participants over the years, namely: Artistry by Amber, Gupta Distribution, Guava Productions, The 704 Sky Lounge, GuyMart, 96.1 voice Fm, Love and Laughter TV, DrayStudioGY, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, University of Guyana, Mr. Al Creighton, and The Land Rig to name a few.
Gtmemoirs: You are preparing to celebrate 9 years of Franale’s Hip-Hop N Poetry Nights, what were your initial long-term goals, and have you achieved any?
Franale: Yeah, I still can’t believe I’ve held on for 9 years and counting… one of my long-term goals is to have a designated location for the show.
I have since been moving from location to location and am currently working along with the 474 Tiki Bar on Waterloo Street.
I also wanted an elaborate award ceremony but alas, without Major sponsors or donors I couldn’t achieve such… what I have however achieved thus far is remarkable even to me.
I’ve done one on one training with those who needed it the most… I have impacted the lives of so many (their words not mine) and I’ll continue to do so because this has never been just a pet project.
This is the foundation of what will be known as one of the greatest beacons for Truly Unique Talents.
Gtmemoirs: They say that numbers don’t lie… Can you say how many hip-hop artists and poets have performed on Franale’s Hip-Hop N Poetry Nights over its nine years of existence, and how many events have been held?
Franale: Indeed, numbers don’t lie. I’ve had the pleasure of providing a platform for 680 (and counting) Creatives to express themselves over the past 9 years. And, I have hosted roughly, 255 shows. I say roughly because there were months, I did not host, a few shows that were not recorded.
Gtmemoirs: Which of your many Franale’s Hip-Hop N Poetry Nights Events, is your absolute favourite and why?
Franale: Well, it would have to be the one held on September 27 last year (2021) when Yohan Vera planned and executed a surprise proposal for one of our best female poets, Safiello… I held onto the rings for a month prior and put on my best poker face.
The crowd went wild when he got on one knee.
This year they are expecting their first child.
Gtmemoirs: All circumstances regarding access to finance to grow being considered, how do you manage to keep bringing more and more people to your events?
Franale: Honestly. I realized that once I deal fairly with artists and Poets they bring on others and encourage them to get the training and guidance they need. A lot of the newcomers were sent by other artists and poets.
Along with them come new audience members.
For that, I’ll be eternally grateful. Besides that, I never pass up an opportunity to market myself in any setting in an appropriate manner of course.
Regardless of what’s out there your character and the way you treat people will always reign supreme.
Gtmemoirs: How do you decide on a venue and how do you eventually, design the event space?
Franale: I tend to broker collaborations with specific locations and try to stay consistent and grounded.
That aids in providing the audience with a familiar spot.
As far as designs go…it is very expensive but i do my best to make things look appealing.
Gtmemoirs: For those who have never attended a Franale’s Hip-Hop N Poetry Nights event, how should we dress and why should we come?
Franale: Well you dress as you feel. It’s always chill vibes but as I encourage my artists and Poets to dress the part I challenge my audience too… fashion/sheek/unique/simple/over the top, hip-hop, and poetry are all about expression.
Gtmemoirs: You are a multi-talented creative. Your voice was publicly raised as one of the best in Guyana, why aren’t more of us not hearing your music?
Franale: Awww… I appreciate such honorable feedback.
The truth is in the earlies I got discouraged after realizing how difficult it was for a female artist to first make it here in her birth country, then internationally.
I know I have what it takes but to have little to no financial support. Coupled with battling depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
It was easy to stop pushing for myself and get lost in pushing and supporting others.
All the while I could not stop writing.
At this point in my life, I understand that nobody owes me anything in this life but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.
I have done my best to try and accumulate sponsorship and donation for myself this past year and it has gone poorly mainly because people don’t know what I’m capable of.
I am going to change that very soon though.
I have to do this for myself as much as I do it for others.
I no longer believe things are impossible for me.
The world, will definitely, experience Franale’s Mind in all its gore and glory. It’s not too late.
