Slam Aleikum

04/02/2026

FINAL CALL: IKRAAAN

TONIGHT

DOORS 7PM

FREE ACCESS

IKRAAAN makes music out of sacred necessity. Obstacles, a bumpy road through life, and the pain of being fundamentally different are the difficult topics she addresses in her music. Her first EP, HAPPY PILL, brought a breath of fresh air to a climate of fast-paced music in 2019. Brihang, Zwangere Guy, and Amenra, among others, have declared themselves fans. In 2020, Studio Brussel selected her for the finals of De Nieuwe Lichting and she made the song “Waarom” with Jef Neve. In the summer of 2019, IKRAAAN started working on her first album. In that album, entitled “Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg” (“Mental Health Care”), she resolutely embarked on a journey of introspection. During the same period, the alter ego 'the clown' emerged in her subconscious. The clown embodies both the pain, joy, and emotions in a human being, as well as the good and bad in each of us. The second album, “Schemerlicht,” which she released independently, shows IKRAAAN courageously facing her deepest personal challenges. In it, she distances herself from the clown and focuses on her inner strength, emphasizing her growing awareness of self-acceptance and embracing her own value. “Schemerlicht” symbolizes the journey toward liberation from external expectations and embracing the “dark periods” that everyone has gone through at some point.

IKRAAAN has been represented by VILT Management since 2025. In 2026, IKRAAAN will release a third album.

31/01/2026

We would like to tell you some more about our second headliner for next Wednesday: Luc Geeraert 🎤

(NL) Luc Geeraert schrijft zowel wetenschappelijk als literair. Sinds twee jaar springt hij geregeld op een podium om spoken word teksten te brengen. In mei 2025 wist hij onze voorronde te winnen en werd hij Gents slampioen, en in die hoedanigheid neemt hij later in 2025 deel aan de finale van het Belgisch Kampioenschap in Luik. Op een missie om meer podiummeters te maken voor dat BK, won hij per ongeluk, doch zeer terecht ook nog eens de Belgische voorronde voor het NK van You On Stage. Zo blij dat we hem opnieuw op ons podium mogen verwelkomen 😍

(ENG) Luc Geeraert writes both scientifically and literarily. For the past two years, he has regularly taken to the stage to perform spoken word pieces. In May of 2025, he became Ghent’s slam champion; in that capacity, he will take part later this year in the final of the Belgian Slam Poetry Championship in Liège. On a mission to gain more stage experience for that championship he accidentally, but well deserved, won the Belgian preliminary round for the You On Stage National Championship!

We can’t wait to see him back on stage🔥

📍 De Centrale
🗓️ Wednesday, Feb 4th
🕖 Doors: 19:00
🎟️ Free Entrance

29/01/2026

Extremely proud to announce another headliner for next Wednesday's (4/2) edition at De Centrale: Kunde! 🎤🔥

Kunde (Ku:ndeɪ), aka Joram Kunde Boumkwo, is a Belgian-Cameroonian rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who masterfully blends Hip-hop with contemporary Jazz, P-funk, and Afrobeat.

Raised on his father’s Pan-African polyrhythms and his own 90s Hip-hop collection, the Ghent-based artist evolved from a young beatboxer into a versatile pianist, vocalist, and bassist. This self-taught journey resulted in a unique sound reminiscent of icons like Anderson .Paak, Patrice Rushen, and Fela Kuti.

In his latest album, Dandelion (W.E.R.F. Records), he uses storytelling, rap, and field recordings from Cameroon to explore the complexities of Afro-Belgian identity, intergenerational trauma, and neocolonialism. His raw, honest lyrics are carried by warm, infectious grooves that will keep you moving. 🕺✨

It is an absolute honor to welcome Kunde to our stage. Don’t miss out!

📍 De Centrale
🗓️ Wednesday, Feb 4th
🕖 Doors: 19:00
🎟️ Free Entrance

23/09/2025

3rd headliner of SA 1/10 in Gent: Fatena Al-Ghorra!

Fatena is a Palestinian writer who has published five poetry collections. She works as a freelance journalist, translator and poet. She has participated in international festivals and poetry projects around the world. Her book "Exodus to Gaza" was recently published in Dutch. The poet has received several awards, her poems have been translated into many languages.

1/10 Centrale, 19.30

21/05/2025

LAST CALL/TIME SCHEDULE FOR TOMORROW!

At 19.30 the doors of De Centrale will open, with slam aleikum regular ànd fabulous dj Mary welcoming us and radiating vibes throughout the evening with some of the finest tunes out of her crates.

At 20.00 Hilair Francisco will be the opening act of the evening. An experienced actor and comedian straight out of Ghent, expect 10 minutes of serious entertainment

At 20.10, poet and performer Dean Bowen will be blessing Ghent with 20 minutes of the best his beautiful mind and golden pen have to offer

At 20.30 Jesse Laport will be our third headliner, serving us a killer dish with some of the finest bits of his incredible talent and wit

At 20.50, Derek Otte, a true pioneer and legend in the Dutch and Flemish biospheres of spoken word, is going to show us some of what Rotterdammers are known to be incredibly good at: slaying with words

At 21.10 there will be a little break, during which you will be able to apply for the open mic starting at 21.30

Last but not least: this whole evening is made possible, and will be guided by our fantastic host and Slam Aleikum founder Hind El Jadid. The artists and people that I usually look up to the most, are the ones that do things that I don't see myself being capable of. Hind is one of those people, and it is a blessing to be able to work with her, and with all the other people and organizations that contribute to this evening: .official De Centrale

Oh, and btw: FREE ENTRANCE

https://www.facebook.com/events/1745513882710527/

Much love and see you there, slam aleikum! Fatih

13/05/2025

Our third headliner 22/5: .otte !

Derek (please no Derk, Derrek or Dirk) Otte (please no Otto, Otten or Otter). Born and living in Rotterdam. Poet and spoken word artist (by profession since 2010). The one with those screens along the highway. From paper and stage to theater and television. Active from Friesland to Flanders. Former stutterer. A founder of the current spoken word community in the Netherlands. City poet of Rotterdam in 2017 and 2018. Spoken word teacher at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Previously house poet of radio station FunX. Poetry collections Regelgeving (2015), TOFLOF (2017), Woorden Zijn Daden (2018), Miose (2020) and Aan de rand van droomland (2023). Theater performance De tijd is om, (2022 and 2023). Theater performance Tijd over (2023 and 2024). Founder of publishing house Rorschach. Enjoys working together and on behalf of various parties. Posts a poem on Instagram almost daily.

22/5, 19u30, De Centrale, Ghent!

12/05/2025

Luc Geeraert was de grote winnaar van de avond. Met scherpe teksten en een ontwapenende humor wist hij zowel de jury- als publieksprijs op zijn naam te zetten. Adanna Akujinwa leverde ook een sterke prestatie en behaalde een welverdiende tweede plaats.

Dankzij zijn overwinning verzekert Luc Geeraert zich van een plek in de finale van het Belgisch Kampioenschap Poetry Slam, dat op 13 december 2025 plaatsvindt in het prestigieuze Théâtre de Liège.

In de Minardschouwburg vond donderdagavond de finale van het Gents Slampioenschap plaats: het kampioenschap voor slam poetry. Luc Geeraert won zowel de jury- als de publieksprijs, waarmee hij zich een plaats in de finale van het Belgische kampioenschap verzekert.