TAKE5: Ivan Irakoze

Ivan Irakoze is a spoken word artist and storyteller from Burundi currently living in Nairobi. He has performed at numerous events within the city and holds shows under his outfit, Ink Overflow.

1. What inspired you to put together Ink Overflow?

It started off as an idea amongst six friends; we were all students at USIU-Africa and were working on entrepreneurship ideas at NEVA, an incubation centre based at the university. We all enjoyed spoken word performances and decided to do something to promote it. The fact that I am a spoken word artist also played a part. We started with a few shows at USIU before we spread our wings to other venues. Besides spoken word, we feature music and visual art at our events.

2. What did you study in school? Does what you learnt come in handy in the day-to-day running of your business?

I studied International Business Administration with a concentration in management. I am definitely using what I learned to run and grow this platform, especially when it comes to the planning side of things.

3. What else, apart from running this business, do you do?

This is what I solely do for a living. Every day is different because I get to fulfil different tasks, such as getting venues for shows, attending various shows in search of artists whose work would fit the theme and concept of that particular show, working on a marketing plans and creating new concepts and content.

4. What would you tell a young person who desires to make a living from their art or what they enjoy doing?
It is not easy, and takes a lot of self-motivation. You have to deal with lots of doubts as well as the pressure you put on yourself. There is also a constant temptation to look for a regular 8am to 5pm job because it takes time to build a business, yet you need to pay bills. Remember also that in business, you get what you put in.

5. What next can we expect from Ink Overflow? World domination, perhaps?

(Laughs) Not quite world domination just yet. We’re going to keep trying to grow Ink Overflow as a platform for artists and their various art forms; we’re not setting limits to what it can grow into. On a personal level, I’d like to perform on different stages locally and internationally and reach a wider audience.

One of our goals is to play a part in eventually convincing our communities that art is a valid career path.