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Idrees Saleem is a Spoken Word Artist who has won many awards and competitions. He is also a 2014 and 2018 National Poetry Slam winner. Before he received these accolades, he was a young man, holding down a ‘Government wuk’, just to be able to ‘pay his rent and buy groceries’. His journey wasn’t easy as he tells us below:

I was born in Maloney, in a traditional Muslim household. My parents got divorced when I was quite young so I spent my childhood years in a single parent setting: sometimes by my mother, other times by Abu (father).

Tough times

Growing up was challenging because money was a recurring issue. Quite often, we had to tote water from the spring until the water truck started coming around. I also was an epileptic as a boy. Although we were poor, I don’t remember feeling stuck by poverty. We drowned that out with our vivid imagination. My mother was a constant source of strength because no matter the circumstances, she instilled values of humility and contentment in us.

We also moved around a lot: Maloney, Malabar, D’abadie, Wallerfield. My mosque was in East POS so I quickly acclimatised to an environment that was able to balance peace on a thin thread. At one point, we were squatting in a lil 2×4 one room ply house at Arouca. My mother, my two siblings and I slept on one bed with a ‘potty’ underneath.

My mother would often go without eating in order for us to have a meal. I only now realized that her migraines were hunger headaches.

When I was growing up, I had no idea what I wanted to be. I liked art as a young boy but I was quickly discouraged because my elders thought there wasn’t a viable career path from art. In Form 4, I decided that I wanted to run my own business but I didn’t know what that business would be.

Doing a desk ‘wuk’ just to survive

It’s hard to go after your passion when you haven’t satisfied the lowest level of the needs pyramid. Rent and groceries pushed me into a “Government-type wuk” for years. I remember doing surveys at Guardian Life and hiding a paper under the survey sheet to write poetry whenever anything came to mind. I felt depressed knowing that I was sitting at work while my peers had a scheduled performance at that very moment.

Scepticism from family and religious beliefs

In the beginning, Mummy was sceptical. I felt that I had to show her that performance theatre was ‘doable’ before she came around. That was hard because I knew she ultimately wanted the best for me but there weren’t many jobs available in the field of theatre and poetry at the time. Also, being a Muslim, there are certain labels put on the entertainment industry where values are concerned. She was very sceptical and was fearful that her son’s salvation would be snatched away, justifiably so.

Mentorship is important

Mentorship was a critical part of my development as an artiste. In the early years, a few people guided me. Andre Dillon, who was my drama teacher in secondary school, became a close confidant and advisor in my trajectory as a performer. Muhammad Muwakil, a childhood friend of mine, and someone I looked up to, was already an established performer. I regularly sought his good advice. My performance peers are also my role models.

I am happy that now we are seeing a growth in the number of institutionally supported black mentors by way of NGO’s etc. Also, there’s an increasing understanding of the importance of mentorship as a preventative measure against delinquency and as a causal factor towards success.

Challenges persist

Notwithstanding my achievements and accomplishments over the years, there are still challenges. As a Muslim, travel is limited outside of Trinidad and Tobago because of the international political climate. Also, because my career path is still somewhat unique, there are still people who don’t see the need to pay a Spoken Word Artiste.

Some of my family members are still quite surprised at my accomplishments, not due to a lack of talent on my part, but because I have come a long way in terms of being ‘organized’.

My advice

Start by asking yourself aloud “who am I?” If options aren’t available in the classroom, there’s the internet.

The education system is rapidly changing with the advent of social media. Allow yourself to be stimulated. Sometimes you have to start walking and your legs will tell you “Yes, this is the path” or “No, this doesn’t feel like me” but you will not reach that point if you don’t take the first step. Also, don’t let orthodox pathways create locked doors for your dreams. Look at me, I’m a National Poetry Slam Champion and I failed literature. Hmmm…imagine that!

The Turning Point

Everything I experienced along the way, led me and inspired me to form my own company, Soundroom Productions Limited. With limited resources in the audio visual and production field, coupled with an absence of persons willing to mentor/guide, the early years were challenging and difficult.  After gaining experience and focusing on research and development to improve the business, I was able to position Soundroom Productions Limited as one of the leaders in the field with innovative technology.

I am happy that over the years we have been able to push the boundaries and deliver great solutions to our clients. My challenges and the unpleasant moments really prepared me for these proud moments

My advice to that young man who is in a difficult situation or confused:

It is important to realise early that life is not always fair and that you are not owed anything. Take time to understand your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses. Do not be dishonest but most of all, do not be dishonest to yourself.

Idrees is also a Senior Poet/Teaching Artiste at 2 Cents Movement and the Founding Member of Drama Making A Difference Company (DMAD)