Title: Elbow Room

Genre: Spoken Word Poetry

Artist: Younglan Ft. Edge Golbador

We are all seeking for space, and that is what makes Elbow Room by Younglan inescapably significant. Be a part of the awakening, “Work very hard that you might earn a place among stars”

Elbow: The elbow is the region between the upper and lower parts of the arm that surrounds the elbow joint. The term is specifically used for humans and other primates. The function of the elbow joint is to extend and flex the arm grasp and reach for objects.

Room: A portion of space within a building or other structure separated by walls or partitions from other parts.

In tune with primal traditions, whether of African, Middle Eastern or Nordic origins, Transportational music by Edge Golbador opens the Elbow Room. The unmistakable feeling of levitation, searching, expansion, and ultimately creative conjuring transports the listener into the words forming our present day human realities.

“Everything you seem to love now,

You might just end up hating

And everything you seem to hate now

You might just end up loving”

As humans, the transience, impermanence and shiftiness of our emotions and actions is revealed in this opening lines. The poet reveals that our experience either as individuals or as a people is answerable to change, continually, in a state of flux. However, we must, while our emotions and temporal knowledge lasts, take the necessary action that will better our lives and for the betterment of our community. We cannot leave our destiny entirely to chance or based on the fact that we cannot foretell the future. This line of thought is clearly revealed in the ensuing lines.

“So I am hating the president now

So that I might just love him later. . .”

In a beautiful use of juxtaposition, Younglan expertly balances the emotions of love and hate, subtly bringing leadership and governance to accountability. While not promoting hate amongst the citizenry for leaders or advocating blind followership by the citizenry, the poet implies that matters of state and life generally is a learning process, and as such, must be subject to regular review and accountability. As Socrates, one of the greatest statesmen and philosophers, opined, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” The same is applicable to present day governance and the living experience of every person.

“The earth has had enough of the poor man’s blood

These days, it regurgitates it even”

Meaningfully titled, the Elbow Room by Younglan is a search or demand for space by individuals and peoples to express discontent, either in politics, in health, religion, education, or lifestyle in general. The above lines are eloquent testimony to the discontent which citizens in every country across the globe feel against bad governance and politics deprived of humanity. The aim of such discontent, being to create significant awareness, stir up knowledge, and in some instances, revolution all in a bid to achieve betterment–better living conditions, better remunerations for workers, better health care services, better communication approach between leaders and followers and governance over-all because despite the seeming allegiance with protest and revolution the call for caution is strong.

“But if we all get guns

Then we all might die soon!”

However, whether or not the poet ends his diatribe with a call to arms or sues for peace. . . the listener will find out upon downloading and keenly listening to the piece.

Younglan’s excellent rendition, well-paced with controlled emotions, (just short of an outburst) alongside the superb blend of imageries, rhetoric, similes, and metaphors is an undeniable pointer to the fact that the poet in Elbow Room offers the creative world a master piece in the tradition of Taban Lo Liyong, Bob Marley, Achebe, Aime Cesaire, Langston Hughes, and every other bard who, in defense of humanity, has spoken out against injustice and oppression. This is one message that is sure to outlive us all.

Consider this review a tip of the iceberg. The entire piece is totally worth your listen, and remember to leave a comment and reach out to Alewa House with regards to sponsorship, downloads, and general details regarding Elbow Room, our effective tool in chiseling out corrupt practices and carving the tomorrow of our dreams. Elbow Room is a clarion call to which every person of good conscience must heed. Otherwise, “Can’t you see scars?”

Enjoy every bit!

Sylvia Ohiaeri Onyekachukwu

Youngman Africa Development Foundation

Elbow Room by Younglan is a 36-stanza kasen poem, which can be considered as a ‘Cry for liberation’ that was themed around the aspect of politics and Corruption. The poem started with a sad melodious melancholic tone which was followed by deep words that can be perceived as thought-provoking and can be regarded as an anthem of the modern generation Revolutionaries. 

What makes this poem fascinating is the writer's ability to motivate and give feeling of hope to the listeners amidst his frustration.The poem was spoken in an uneven tone which shuffled between anger, frustration, bitterness and positivity, It was so good that the writer's emotions could be felt in the tone of his voice.

Younglan began this poem by striking a balance between love and hate in the first stanza whilst saying "so I am hating the president now so I might just love him later"

The piece has a series of regular and irregular rhyme schemes (AA,BB,CC,AB,AC,BC ) through-out the stanzas also word plays "We're monsters and when these useless good for nothing leaders of ours die ,we cry and they give us public holidays as if we mourn stars" and figures of speech like:

-Repetition where he said "fight another day "twice, to lay emphasis on the process 

-Personification where the writer said "The Earth has had enough of the poor man’s blood these days it regurgitates it even "This shows the writers awareness of literal terms and his ability to use them without straying away from the intended message or motive 

- Alliteration was also employed to create a rhythm within the poem

The poem explores deeply the two side polarizing human nature, in this case the poets frustration is driven by his inability to make a difference alone yet being forced to tolerate what he's been getting from the politicians.

The second stanza brings to light the government's inability to recognize the people's effort “work very hard they told us, work very hard so you can earn a place among stars and yes! We worked very hard but look at us now we're monsters"

The speaker’s voice is invisible throughout the poem, where he acts as an imaginary speaker. Younglan does not share his life experiences throughout the poem, but rather uses an invisible voice by acting as an imaginary speaker. Despite the fact that he has used the first person sometimes in the poem" it is driving me crazy so I might just get a gun soon", his voice is invisible. This is a powerful approach, which helps in drawing the audience’s attention.

The lofty ideas in his 36-stanza kasen poem motivates me to keep fighting till the change I desire is made. Therefore it is highly recommended that everyone should listen to the poem and reap the benefits of the wisdom along the stanzas.

Listen or download Elbow Room for free.