At a time when redundant formulas are rife, the UK has a new champion ‘verbalist’ on its team. Tuggstar is an intriguing and exciting poet that epitomises everything ‘African British’. This internationally recognised performance poet has broken all the rules on his way to becoming one of the nation’s elite griots.

Born of Ghanaian descent the twenty-something lyrical warrior has taken the artistic arena by storm slaying many of his established peers and competitors en route.

Although aspirations to share his skills with the masses manifested years ago, Tuggstar first grabbed the mic at the turn of the millennium. As a result of acknowledging his gift, Tuggstar left his common environment to develop his art during a 12-month stay in Toronto, Canada.

On his return Tuggstar answered the artworld’s desperate search for fresh innovative expression - his uncompromising delivery and sinister conviction produces a powerful concoction with all aspects of the African Diaspora experience.

As well as spitting his verbal wizardry nationwide He returned to Canada in August ’03 as the sole UK representative in Toronto’s first International Poetry Competition, (where he competed against 37 other poets to reach the finals.) In September ’03 he won the grand US vs UK final of “Lyrical Court” where he defeated a talented array of both U.K and U.S poets. He has one book of poetry published entitled ‘The Way of the Word’. And released his debut CD entitled ‘The Africa E.P: From Here to There and Home Again’ a creative look into the post colonial African and Caribbean migration to Britain and the cultural struggles their off spring go through in their quest for identity.

Continuing his astounding rise in literature, in February 2004 he became the first dedicated columnist to spoken word, hosting the ground breaking New Word Order in New Nation newspaper. It’s an avenue that has engaged the whole nation in the blossoming scene. In late 2004 he merged with other ground breaking poets to form the poetical, political and theatrical group, Best Kept Secret.

Proudly representing Ghana, in 2006 he worked alongside Dare music with spoken word artists and singers to produce the blazing hot anthem for Ghana’s world cup 2006 football team. Beyonder, NII Ayikwei-Parkes, Nana and Vyenus in an unprecedented combined to produced the memorable track entitled Blackstarz.


He has also shared stages with Dead Prez, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Sway, Jonzi D and The Last poets. He is ready and willing to travel where ever to spread his word and has already been blessed to perform in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Atlanta, Melbourne, Norway and Ghana, so pay attention for the Tuggstar train roles on. 

In 2008, he released his second CD. Season of Lost Love, a creative look into male and female relationships through poetry and verse.