The Last Poets – Umar Bin Hassan, Abiodun Oyewole and Babatunde – will be appearing at Pop Brixton in London on Thursday 23 July for an evening of conversation, questions from the audience, and live performance.

Described as the godfathers of hip hop, the Last Poets are returning to the UK for the first time since 2013, as the headlining act on the Apples and Snakes: Speak Up Newcomers tour, performing alongside emerging UK spoken word talent. Other dates on the tour are Friday 17 July at Voicebox at the Lovebox festival in east London; Saturday 18 July in the poetry tent at Latitude festival; Sunday 19 July at the Jazz Café, London; and Tuesday 21 July at Band on the Wall, in Manchester.

Lisa Mead, Apples and Snakes creative producer, said: “We’re really honoured to be working with the Last Poets again, they are an important voice both as poets and political activists. This tour is all about showing the impact of their work, their legacy and showcasing new talent alongside them, giving opportunity for new audiences to see just how brilliant and significant they are, plus see the amazing home-grown talent that is emerging.”

PHOTOGRAPH: GREG FREEMAN / WRITE OUT LOUD