An Interview with Scott Coe, The New Stamford Poet Laureate
Meet the unconventional poet who won his place as Poet Laureate for Stamford with a rap about Boris Johnson...
Looking at Daffodils in primary school, and then later venturing into war poetry at secondary school, Scott was never one for the more traditional forms of poetry. Instead, his beginning in writing took the form of lyrics, only joining the poetry scene after a friend suggested taking his lyrics to a poetry night in Cambridge, where he found that he really enjoyed being able to perform his work. Music is still what inspires him, lyricists such as Noel Gallagher, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and Guy Chambers being some of the prime examples, as well as the word hooks that can be found in Pet Shop Boys lyrics- finding interest in these and taking them as inspiration. He also finds the same with podcasts- selecting words which interest him and using them in his writing, most of which is reactive to situations he sees or finds himself in.
To Scott, becoming Poet Laureate means having the opportunity to have a louder voice and a presence unlike the one he had before, as well as being able to present the idea that poetry isn't just, as he put it “a load of dusty old men sitting in a room”. That it is in fact, for everyone regardless of gender, age or background. He hopes through his appointment as Stamford’s Poet Laureate, that he will be able to encourage this idea, and show that poetry is varied- from spoken word to lyrics, rap to prose, storytelling, flash fiction and even comedy. With regard to Stamford, he aims to promote the thriving art scene there and get more people involved, even if they think poetry isn't for them. He says that it definitely can be, even if you don't write or create things yourself, reading or attending the works of others is a great way to be involved in creativity. He said that “If I can do it anybody can, I may be Poet Laureate but I’m just a figurehead” encouraging the people of Stamford to get involved- asking what they want to do that he can help put in motion.
He also stresses the importance of creativity in times like these- having just made it through two years of lockdowns, now there is the cost of living crisis and the tragic situation in Ukraine, poetry is a way to answer your own questions and give yourself a voice and a way to express emotion. An example of this was the rap that won him his place as poet laureate- experiencing anger and upset at Partygate, he originally wrote it for the Some Antics slam championship back in January, with only two days to learn it before having to perform it. Although it didn't win that evening, the judges of the Poet Laureate competition were clearly blown away by it. By pushing both himself and what poetry is typically defined by, he feels he is able to grow and promote other forms of spoken word, and the ability to explore new topics, such as politics and comedy, are not his typical go to's.
For the full effect of Scotts rap, click the link here to find it on Youtube, or to have a read, keep scrolling.
The Boris Rap:
Forgive Me
Forgive Me
Forgive Me
Forgive Me, Forgive Me, Forgive Me, Forgive Me
Cos my name is Boris
Prime Minister Reginas
I'm in charge but a total anus
I like to tell fibs
So where's the harm
Lost two jobs for lying, third time is a charm
I stumble and mumble
Through every lie
I can't even wear a fucking tie
Avoid tough questions by hiding in a fridge
Can't we just talk about Peppa Pig?
Everything I say is build back bollocks
Oi peasants!
Suck my Betty Swollocks!
And forgive me, forgive me, forgive me, forgive me
At the climate summit, to fix the weather
I waffle in Latin, cos I think it sounds clever
Then hire a jet to fly home for dinner
Cos I'm getting fatter while you're getting thinner
My lies every week in every paper
I run the country like a mad crime caper
I've spent all your money on my wife's wallpaper
Who knew John Lewis was a really bad draper
It's plastered-all-over, the news at 10
The only thing that's worse... is her taste in men
But forgive her, forgive her, forgive her, I forgive her
I once knew a woman called Jennifer Arcuri
I bonked her for a while
Then left her in a fury
I should've tried it on with Angela Merkel
I'd given her Norfolk
If she did me a twerkle
Cos I don't really care
I don't give a frigg
I'd even try it on with Peppa Pig
I'd say Hello Peppa
And slap out my bratwurst
But David Cameron probably got there first
Yeah... Porkus Maximas
Yeah... What Carrie likes for breakfast
Yeah... And you'd still forgive us
Forgive us, Forgive us, Forgive us, Forgive us
Cos my name is Boris
Prime Minister Reginas
I'm in charge but a total anus
Hanging with my posse
The Downing Street crew
Gonna have a party
Gonna paint the town blue
Gove and Cummings
Patel and Truss
And that bullshit on the side of a bus
Bet ya never thought you'd ever see the day
Where they'd find someone worse
Than Theresa May
Cos we're worse than Maggie and Tebbit and Hurd
And here's Matt Hancock
The snivelling little turd
And as for Rees Mogg
He's an utter C word
But forgive me, forgive me, forgive me, forgive me
So sack me or sue me
If you see right through me
The only thing I can do is a piss up in a brewery
I'm lying
I'm cheating
You can't afford your heating
I'm banning all your protests
Ignoring all your tweeting
So here's a Seasons greeting
We're off for a part---
Ahem
I mean a business meeting...
Handing out cheese and wine, and PPE contracts
Helping rich friends all pay less tax
Whilst your relatives die...
And your jobs get axed...
Forgive me...
Forgive me...
Please... Stop... forgiving me
Where you can find Scott:
He can also be found at a variety of events:
Stamford’s Pint of Poetry at the Arts centre there, which is the last Wednesday of the month, sometimes featuring guest poets.
Stamford Diversity Festival- August bank Holiday
Speech Rocks- 7th August
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