TOMRAVENOUS
S wahim Da Dark Cloud aka Tom Ravenous, birth name Thomas Masingi, is a writer / poet and the cofounder of Artistic Youth Expressions, which is a Mokopane-based movement that focuses on growing the essence of art in the area. The name“ Swahim” was given to him by his closest friend and fellow poet / writer Kabo De Optimuist. According to Kabo De Optimuist, the name means“ I am black”. Most of Swahim Da Dark Cloud ' s writings are revolutionary, however he is not limited to revolutionary poems. He started writing poetry while doing his first year at the University of Limpopo in 2009. For him poetry is the only place he completely feels at home. His writings are heavily influenced by his surroundings. He tackles issues such as slavery, rape, population control( Black Genocide), racism, classism, ignorance, self-hatredetc. He started off as an mc, then later branch into poetry after realising that he could express himself unlimitedly through poetry. He admits that his poetry would not have reached the level it has if it were not for his underground hip hop
background. Furthermore, he also recognises the role played by Limpopo based poets / mc in his art. He cites Street Poet, Lyrical Surgeon, Lezz, Epic Manifest and Kamelion as being very crucial in helping where growth is concerned.
www. megaartists. co. za Aug-Sep 2015 Page 5