Biography
Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo is a Nationally touring spoken word artist and lead singer/founder of The Rock by Funk TriBE. RBFT is currently one of the most sought after supporting acts for international touring artists showcasing in New England. As a dynamic sensation in the Boston music scene, Iyeoka and the Rock by Funk TriBE have been selected as the supporting act of choice for touring artists including FEMI KUTI, popular ZAP MAMA at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston and SLICK RICK @ Harper's Ferry. Iyeoka and the Rock by Funk Tribe currently host a once a month FREE CONCERT Residency series in BOSTON. Check calendar for NEXT SHOW location.
As a premier Slam Poet and competitor, Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo holds the title of the 2nd place 2009 Individual World Poetry Slam Champion and a recipient of the 2008 National Performance Network/NCCC Artist of Color Residency Award.
Among Iyeoka's individual lists of credits is Presenter and Host at the 2009 BOSTON BOOK FESTIVAL, a poetry presentation at an award ceremony for Mia Farrow at the Kennedy Center, being asked to compose and perform a poem for a dinner event hosted for Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, being commissioned by Discovery Channel for their 2008 brand campaign, being commissioned by a top-twenty ad agency to write a piece for a diversity training tool, gracing the inaugural cover of the magazine Leverage, receiving a 2007 Massachusetts Industry Committee Hip-Hop Award for Spoken Word Artist of the year, and a New England Urban Music Award for the Best Female Spoken Word Poet of 2006. She's also the only member of the nationally competing Boston Lizard Lounge Slam team to have earned her position 10 years in a row. In 2007, Iyeoka lended her coaching abilities as a spoken word expert on the hit PBS KIDS GO! TV series FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman. For her most recent project, Iyeoka has been tapped to develop a workshop for Brave New Voices, Russell Simmons' HBO docu-series about teenage slam poets.
In 2008, Iyeoka's vocal talents on a cover of U2's 1988 hit song "Desire" was showcased on a compilation of U2 covers that includes All-Star Grammy Award winning African artists.
Iyeoka is available for lectures, Poetry Slam demonstrations, Master Workshops and Youth Enrichment Residencies.
BONUS BIO INFO:
For promoters interested in booking a lecture series, Iyeoka is a NEST (New England State Touring) eligible artist.* Iyeoka holds a pharmacy degree from Northeastern University and is a Registered Pharmacist. 3 years ago Iyeoka transitioned her life-style from full time retail pharmacist to full time performance poet. Find out how she did it, why she loves it, and how you can find a way to live your passion too!
Iyeoka's lecture is geared towards college students in the budding stages of their boundless careers in art! Have you considered planning ahead on how to live your dream after college? The process begins now. This incredible workshop/lecture presentation showcases the 101 know how on HOW to make your dreams of living and breathing your art a reality.
For booking info on this lecture series or other presentations offered
please contact bookingiyeoka@gmail.com
*New England States Touring (NEST) is a cooperative program with the state arts agencies of New England, that provides support to nonprofits for performances, readings, and related community activities by artists that have met the eligibility criteria for the NEST program.
Instrumentation
Iyeoka is tour-friendly and booking is available in a variety of touring configuration to suite any budget, touring route and venue space.
-solo
-acoustic set with 1 member
musical accompaniment
-Full 4 piece RBFT band
Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo - vocals
Faisal Aswat - bass guitar
Steve Desrosiers - guitars
Brian Capobianchi - vocals / acoustic guitar
Jason Trikakis - drums
Available Solo or with the Tribe
Discography
THIS TIME AROUND 2009/EP-UNDERGROUND SUN
Black and Blues 2004 /Phanai Media Group/
Hum the Bass Line 2007/ Phanai Records/
In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 2008
Sony Records/
Tracks that appear regularly on
digital cable Music Choice Smooth R&B channel
1) Shadow
2)Pass it On
Live @ KTUH - Honolulu / 2008 / Phanai Records/
listen now at www.ThePoetreeHouse.com
Links
| http://www.Iyeoka.com |
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF IYEOKA IVIE OKOAWO |
| IYEOKA on TWITTER |
| Live @ KTUH - Honolulu |
| FaceBOOK MUSIC Page |