Kate Tempest: Storming the Castle

Listen to this lively discussion between Kate Tempest – one of the most exciting new voices emerging from Britain today – and host Maxine Beneba Clarke. Musician, rapper, playwright, performance poet, novelist; it’s hard to know which title comes first when referring to Tempest.

Maxine Beneba Clarke and Kate Tempest — Photo: Connor Tomas O'Brien

In 2013 Tempest won the prestigious Ted Hughes Award for her epic poem, Brand New Ancient. In 2014, her debut album Everybody Down was nominated for the Mercury Prize.

Her debut novel is The Bricks that Built the Houses. Each chapter of the book relates to a track from Everybody Down, and takes us into the homes of ordinary Londoners, revealing their motivations, failures and hopes. Tempest’s subject – rich with history, community and character – is South London, the place she grew up.