Suli Breaks just recently graduated from University of Sheffield with a degree in law.

Suli breaks is a poet looking to use his witty controversial, yet enlightening style, he is slowly becoming the crowd’s favourite. Using a style which he describes as a “mixture of everything he has ever seen or known” he light heatedly jokes that his aim is to make “Poetry kool!”.

Hey Suli, how is it going? Welcome to YHP.

Due to the grace of God, I am fine thank you very much.

Before we move, can you quickly give the YHP readers some background information about yourself?

Suli Breaks aka Suli Breezy aka Mr Riddle Riddle(Laughter), I am a Poet, who has performed at numerous venues across the country, has been featured in the Voice, was winner of Aspire Talent 2008 and was also a finalist in the 2009 Uni's Got Talent Competition.

You’ve just graduated from the university, how do you feel closing that chapter in your life, or are you going for a masters?

Rahh...it was ALOT. ALOT in the sense that it was a big experience, but also in the sense that it was ALOT of work.
I’m half and half right now. It’s quite a relief, because finally I get to work on my own schedule, no one telling that this has to be due at this time and I have to write this, exams are this time etc.
However, it is also quite intimidating, because this is where everything starts. Everything I do from this point onwards is a step towards creating the life I want to be living in the future. It’s like every move is geared toward the bigger picture, whereas for me personally in the University it was like your always working towards the next exam or next assignment. I rarely looked at the whole thing in context.

So how did the name come about?

It would seem quite confusing to most readers.
Quick summary, if you’re a Baller (basketball player), you know what it means when you “break someone’s ankles”. Let’s just say I did quite a lot of ankle breaking in my day. My name being Suliaman, everyone already called me Suli. So it was quite ingenious that my coaches’ brother Ben Peters came up with the name “Suli Breaks” and it stuck.

So tell us? How did you get into poetry?

I didn’t really get into Poetry, you could say that it got into me. I did my first performance, because someone had told me to come and rap at a show(probably trying to embarrass me) and I told them that I don’t rap no more and that I would do a poem instead. BADDA BING BADDA BOOM!! Here I am now. That show went extremely well as could have imagined.

What do you feel makes a good poem?

Being yourself. Channeling what you feel and believe. It sounds corny, but that’s what works for me. It’s like the poem is an extension of yourself. Things I talk about in a poem would be the same things I talk about on the phone to my wife.

Describe your poems in 5 words?

Inspiring, Creative, Insightful, Thought provoking (that’s 2 I know) and lastly Suli Breaks(my poems are basically my views brought to you in different mediums)

Who are your roles models/influences?

Being a Muslim, my obvious role model is the prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) who practices I attempt to emulate to bring me closer to God.
Aside from that, my role models are everyone who is the best at what they do. If it comes to basketball-Kobe Bryant, Acting-Denzel Washington. I just admire people who have strived to perfect their art of are recognised as one of the best in their field.
I also have another one, but it’s a secret because that person doesn’t know( I don’t think) so I will keep it to myself.

What is your favourite poem from your collection?

I don’t have one you know. I like different ones at different times.

What is your favourite poem and poet?

I don’t really listen to poet or follow it to have any favourite ones, but I really like this one though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iVAqePmZMI

Do you have a writing routine?

Not really.

What do you do away from writing poems?

I used to play basketball, but right now I’m stressed trying to find a job so am at home most of the time. I hit the gym quite often too.

What do you feel it takes to stand out as a poet?

You have to hit the crowd at angles they don’t expect. You know they expect poets to be like this and like that, but if you show them that you’re a little different that usually catches their attention.

Who is your favourite poet at the moment?

Jay-Z (Bursts in Laughter)
I really don’t pay too much attention to poetry!!

What current project are you working on and would you like to share it with the readers?

Well, those of you that are avid fans will have been aware that I did a weekly competition called “Riddle Riddle” last year. (Check Facebook group: Riddle Riddle for more details).
I am planning to launch Season 2 when semester resumes this year God willing. That’s all I’m giving away.

This year’s project is going to involve quite a few more parties.

Who are you currently reading?

Stephanie Myers.
Well, actually i’m reading James Caan “The Real Deal”, but I feel it is my duty to highlight how amazing Myers books are. I have just finished reading “Breaking Dawn.” She is hands down one of the best writers I have ever read the “Twilight” series is actually too SICK!! Let me not get too carried away and lose half my fan base.
No homo!!

If you weren’t writing poems, what else do you think you will be pursuing as a career?

Errrmm....Basketball. However, the game kind of outgrew me, literally. I got too short to play.(Laughter). I would probably be pursuing a law career as I did study a law degree.

If you could offer only one piece of advice to your fellow poets, what would it be?

Well, I think they should just try and be themselves that sounds corny too, but I mean don’t try to do what I’m doing or the next person is doing. Just do whatever feels most natural to you. As James Caan says ( I told you I been reading): Observe the masses and do the opposite.

So what’s next for you?

People need to wait and see, because I have the kind of ideas that people couldn’t imagine, so it’s hard to describe and only really time will reveal. Just know that God willing, I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Thanks for your time.
YHP Wishes you the best.

Contact Information

Facebook- Suli Breaks
Myspace- www.myspace.com/sulibreaks11
Youtube- http://www.youtube.com/user/sulibreezy