21 Search results for "poetry slam"

The Ramification of Poetry Slam Part 1: The History
Jimmy Santiago Baca, a leading contemporary Latino poet writing in the United States, reminds us that “Poetry’s mission is to subvert, to question, to challenge, provoke, to flail one’s vulnerability and voice into the marvelous whirlwind of poetry’s awe, flagging at the horns of the raging beast that is societies gluttonous comfort…affirm poetry at any […]
The Ramifications of Slam Poetry Part 3: A Commercialized Art
Anytime an underground art becomes commercialized it is simultaneously at risk of becoming compromised. We saw this happen in the ballroom scene, rap music and hip hop culture. The same issue surfaced in the poetry scene when Russell Sims began to take spoken word and turn it into a commercialized art. Nothing is wrong with […]
The Ramifications of Slam Poetry Part 2: Brave New Voices
I would like to believe that there is a moment in everyone’s life that becomes a point of definition. This if nothing else has been the reality of my experience. My moment of definition was March 2006 when I was a participant in the finals of the Cleveland city wide poetry slam. Two weeks prior […]
Slam Poet Makes Devastating Mad Lib About Police Brutality
It only took two minutes for this slam poet to sum up the devastating emotions that are involved with police brutality, and the interesting part was that she did it through Mad Libs.
Spoken Word Poetry: Hold Onto that History.
Visceral, in your face, in your ears, in your snapping fingers, and tapping feet, spoken word poetry sprang loosely from the expressive energies of the blues, the Harlem Renaissance, and hip-hop music which had each permeated black communities throughout America over the course of the century. Mimicking the 1960s beat poets of coffee houses and […]
This Poet’s Tearful ‘I’m Sorry’ Poem Shows Our Continuing Failure To Address Rape
“This apology is a symptom of a social disease seen from football rosters in Ohio to busses in New Delhi. With outbreaks of slut shaming and victim blaming mentalities and no cure in sight under this current system of patriarchy.” As a survivor, this video was difficult to watch. I imagine it would be hard for […]
This Powerful Poem Tells The Story of Black Boys Who ‘Die Easy’
The prevalence of violence against young Black people has become a constant phenomenon in American life. While Black folx of all genders face unique struggles with anti-Blackness, police surveillance, and state-sanctioned murder, young Black men are often featured in mainstream media most prominently as victims of these systems and processes of oppression. This poem from Akeem […]
This Poem Explains Why You Need To ‘Hide Your Shea Butter’ From White People
This might be the most lit account of cultural appropriation ever. In the video below, poets Crystal Valentine and Aaliyah Jihad serve all the realness with “Hide Your Shea Butter,” a piece about the ways that white people continue to steal Blackness and Black Culture for their own ends.
Watch This Poet Break Down His Afro-Latino Identity
Gabriel Ramirez’s poem, “On Realizing I Am Black,” performed at the 2015 National Poetry Slam in Oakland, CA is an eloquent oration on personhood at the margins.
Poet’s Explanation of “Black Privilege” Gives an Emotional Account of Black Life
A powerful poem by Crystal Valentine, student at NYU and activist, has been captivating watchers since it was posted on YouTube last week. Valentine performed the poem at the 2015 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational where her team won the competition. In the poem, she gives a very raw and emotional account of Black life […]
Invocation: An Interview of Ariana Brown
By L.G. Parker Some poets scream, others approach the microphone with a fierce control that sits you down and reminds you of your magic and your wounds. Afro-Mexicana poet Ariana Brown is the latter. With five years of experience as a poetry mentor and workshop leader, Brown has a commitment not only to her own […]
FM Supreme among “9 Underground Female Rappers You Need to Know about”
On its list of “9 Underground Female Rappers You Need to Know About,” you’ll see familiar names like Angel Haze and Awkwafina. But among the list is BYP 100’s very own FM Supreme.