Young writers to join poet Bassey Ikpi during farewell-tour stop in Philly

AFTER 10 YEARS as one of the leading names in spoken-word poetry, Bassey (pronounced B-

ah

-see) Ikpi is retiring from the spotlight. But before the Nigerian-born Ikpi - who performed with Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam on HBO and on tour - officially throws in the towel, she'll take her show, "Basseyworld Live," to Time on Thursday for one last go.

Ikpi will perform older and newer works. "This is my farewell tour, if you will," she said.

Also taking the stage is the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement, which recently beat out 50 teams from across the country to take top honors at the 2011 Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Festival. "It's kind of like passing the torch," Ikpi said. "I've been doing this forever, and I love what Philly has done with youth poetry. I love how these kids have discovered their voices. It's a beautiful testimony to where youth really are and not where naysayers say they are."

Spoken word gives the Poetry Movement kids an outlet they never had before, Ikpi said. "Kids are often being told what to feel and how to feel. Very rarely do we get to hear what they're going through. Their voices aren't heard unless something terrible happens." She added that although writing poetry isn't for everyone, PYPM can inspire kids to explore other ways to tell their own stories through art, dance or music.

Despite their young age (13 to 19) and her experience, Ikpi won't do formal mentoring sessions with the PYPM kids this time out. "I don't think they need it," she said, laughing. "They're doing just fine winning championships without my input."

Even though Ikpi is putting her performing days behind her - she just turned 35 and has a 5-year-old son whom she hates leaving to go out on tour - she won't be sitting at home in Maryland, where she lives. She said that she's found a new calling in youth mental-health advocacy.

Ikpi, diagnosed with bipolar II disorder in 2004, is starting a nonprofit called the Siwe Project to honor Siwe Monsanto, a friend who committed suicide in July at age 15. "Her death really pushed me to think, 'What are you going to do that's tangible so she didn't die in vain?' " Ikpi said, stopping to collect herself before she could continue. "I'm working with her mother to prevent other Siwes [from] taking their lives."

The timing feels right for Ikpi to break from the path she's been on for more than a decade. She said it's important to know when to put an end to things. "I've turned into a homebody in my old age," Ikpi said. "I'm not a rock star, despite the shoes."