Even today many poets are trying to find themselves or their voice as they write their poetry, says renowned poet and author Nikki Giovanni in her interview with BlogtalkradioTM host Joy Keys. Poets of the newer generation are definitely discovering new ways of expressing the way they see life and all of its tragic anomalies, they are exercising their personnel strife, and giving their inner-self a voice. Today there is an incredible need to be heard, a need to feel like we are the center, that our words are the truth and all that matters, but as we all know not all that speak need be heard. Imagine the analogy of two people, victims of a hit and run, both will indicate pain. However, depending upon each victim’s pain receptors and threshold one will be sure to exclaim that he/she are in far more pain than the other, but the others pain is truly no less, yet this is our way of making the world understand us. It is only when we forget ourselves, unlearn ourselves of being the center of focus and pay attention to the cosmos that surround us that makes us who we are, only then is when poetry will matter, and the experience (life) will connect and be understood as the sweet sounds of a well conducted orchestra.
What are we to do with the disposable poems? Yes, I said disposable due to a lack luster attitude that exists in the development of poems. There is a rapidly growing community of illiterate poets today that is filled with self-indulgence, egotism, and the worst of all patronage for the sake of fan accumulation and a myriad of reasons, but that is another matter and blog post. Today, with all of the venues like blogs and twitter apps have made it possible for one to expose their raw feelings before they have had a chance to process them, or even a chance to seek resolve prior to writing them into a poem or dirge if you will. Author and poet Dana Gioia wrote in his essay “Can Poetry Matter” that American poetry now belongs to a subculture. No longer part of the mainstream of artistic and intellectual life. The divorce of poetry from the educated reader has had another, more pernicious result. Seeing so much mediocre verse not only published but praised, slogging through so many dull anthologies and small magazines has created a riff between poets and would be readers—to paraphrase. In his essay he speaks a great deal on how we as poets can develop to improve our place in the literary verse, but of course it has to be read for you to understand how to improve.
But I guess that leads me to the point of what I meant by “illiteracy” in the poetry. What I hear/read from many poets, are personal and sometimes fictional (fantasy) works that lack investigation into the purpose of the write. For example: if a poet sits down to write a poem regarding 9-11 and only uses news media (television reports) as the source and basis of the material without reading—let’s say the “9/11 Commission Report”; how deep and valuable will this poem be for an intellectual reader? This is just a small example of the importance of reading to develop the skills and increased substance for ones works and verse, but this is only relative to the purpose of ones’ poetry. Where have all of the critics gone, poetry without its critics can really deminish what we call art. What are we afraid of when it come to hearing and providing feedback to the author...
Now let’s hear your thoughts… agree or disagree, all opinions are as important as the poetry we all write.
This post was incited by the words of Amiri Baraka in his poem “Against Bourgeois Art”, Buffalo 1978. In this piece I am reminded that history repeats itself, let's be the change!
Tshombe's Recently Played Tracks
Facebook Fam
Movers & Shakers
About Freedom Verse Cafe
Freedom Verse Café (FVC) was created as a venue for spoken word artist in the winter of 2008 from a previous venue called "Mic Check" which began its broadcast in June of 2007. Since this venue's inception, it has gone through evolutionary processes to better accomplish its premise of promoting the art of spoken-word poetry and the artists who perform it in a major capacity, but we have also expanded to blending poetry with jazz and soul to create the ultimate experience of spoken word/poetry.
Freedom Verse is geared to promote the artists—who hit the stages, spoken-word venues, and publish their works anywhere that they can—while entertaining and educating listeners all over the world. In FVC we focus on imparting those who audience the genre of spoken-word poetry to its history, disciplines, and its potential impact on mainstream culture. This venue hopes to touch its patrons mentally and spiritually. In this we learn to appreciate the creativity, relevancy, and intentions of the artists.
FVC promotes using online broadcasting and digital downloads of mix-tapes that focuses on providing a positive form of entertainment and educational programming in poetry, jazz, and soul of artist who are destined to change the world.
1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month at 2pm EST/1pm CST
If you have any of the following:
Comments| Air Drops | Venue Announcements | Shout outs
Please call (206)338-1187 and leave a message and we'll get it on the air for FREE!
~Live Chat and Call-in Line!~ reaching more than 490,000 listeners globally, with listeners from S. Africa to Vladivostok, Russia and all across the United States to Europe.
Are a compilation of Spoken word poetry, jazz, and soul blended for the ultimate listening experience. These mixtapes are free to download and are designed to promote the artists who make it possible to provide positive music in a less positive industry. So please support the featured artists by purchasing their work and stopping by their pages and showing some love.
click image to download
also available on
Let's Talk Spoken Word | Abiodun Oyewole (The Last Poets)
Komplex | MahogonyDiva | Sekou (Tha Misfit)
Taalam Acey | Maximus Parthas | Queen Sheba
Autum Ashante | Kamal Imani | Abyss One Truth
S. Pearl Sharp | Future | Ngoma | Chenyelu Bomani
...and many others here
Freedom Verse is geared to promote the artists—who hit the stages, spoken-word venues, and publish their works anywhere that they can—while entertaining and educating listeners all over the world. In FVC we focus on imparting those who audience the genre of spoken-word poetry to its history, disciplines, and its potential impact on mainstream culture. This venue hopes to touch its patrons mentally and spiritually. In this we learn to appreciate the creativity, relevancy, and intentions of the artists.
FVC promotes using online broadcasting and digital downloads of mix-tapes that focuses on providing a positive form of entertainment and educational programming in poetry, jazz, and soul of artist who are destined to change the world.
Show Schedule
1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month at 2pm EST/1pm CST
If you have any of the following:
Comments| Air Drops | Venue Announcements | Shout outs
Please call (206)338-1187 and leave a message and we'll get it on the air for FREE!
Freedom Verse Cafe MixTapes Edition
Are a compilation of Spoken word poetry, jazz, and soul blended for the ultimate listening experience. These mixtapes are free to download and are designed to promote the artists who make it possible to provide positive music in a less positive industry. So please support the featured artists by purchasing their work and stopping by their pages and showing some love.
click image to download
also available on
Interviews
Let's Talk Spoken Word | Abiodun Oyewole (The Last Poets)
Komplex | MahogonyDiva | Sekou (Tha Misfit)
Taalam Acey | Maximus Parthas | Queen Sheba
Autum Ashante | Kamal Imani | Abyss One Truth
S. Pearl Sharp | Future | Ngoma | Chenyelu Bomani
...and many others here
What is Spoken Word?
Spoken Word poetry is a very newly revived form of poetry that has been around since the 90’s. Spoken word is a transformation from an art that began deep in the heart of what was known as the beat poet era of the ‘40s and ‘60s. These were poets who challenged mainstream politics and culture to incite mental revolutions against what I would dub as “idle conformity or assimilation” by government rule; speaking out against oppression, racism, and war. In most cases this was the only form of thought expression albeit a dangerous one regardless of the first amendment that is designed to protect all of our citizens. Spoken word as a genre has always been seen as non-musical selections like famous speeches and orations, but never as a poetic art deserving of it's on section. Even today this still is the case when you walk into a record shop or shop on iTunes you won’t find a legitimate genre for this beautiful and ageless art form. Poets today are working diligently and hard to change this mindset.
Today, Spoken Word poetry is a very general category of poetry that is meant to be both performed and to make a powerful statement. Unlike some of the Beat poets who focused mostly on the corruption of government, economic and social status, and world awareness, Spoken Word has taken a major turn which some like myself observe with a watchful eye. Spoken word has gone from just being a revolting art, but has become more interested in voicing the thoughts of love, life and still that resounding need for revolutionary thought.
All Spoken Word poetry is meant to be read aloud, but not all poetry that is read aloud is Spoken Word. Spoken word has a select few elements that are best known for identifying its class of poetry. I like to call this technique “R3” for Rhythm, Repetition, and Rhyme; these are key element that the artist generally focuses on when performing this style of poetry also called performance poetry.
This is an important part about spoken word poetry, as I often see this as a common mistake amongst new poets who don’t study the art or its history and are elated to lay their vocals down on a nice melodic track and will dub it “Spoken Word”; spoken word poetry is sometimes performed with music, and sometimes without music. If a poet uses background music, it is only to enhance or compliment the poetry and to add a rhythm. The poetry itself is center stage and not the music, this is the case in any good piece of work.
host and producer of Freedom Verse Cafe
Tshombe (the Poet)
Today, Spoken Word poetry is a very general category of poetry that is meant to be both performed and to make a powerful statement. Unlike some of the Beat poets who focused mostly on the corruption of government, economic and social status, and world awareness, Spoken Word has taken a major turn which some like myself observe with a watchful eye. Spoken word has gone from just being a revolting art, but has become more interested in voicing the thoughts of love, life and still that resounding need for revolutionary thought.
All Spoken Word poetry is meant to be read aloud, but not all poetry that is read aloud is Spoken Word. Spoken word has a select few elements that are best known for identifying its class of poetry. I like to call this technique “R3” for Rhythm, Repetition, and Rhyme; these are key element that the artist generally focuses on when performing this style of poetry also called performance poetry.
This is an important part about spoken word poetry, as I often see this as a common mistake amongst new poets who don’t study the art or its history and are elated to lay their vocals down on a nice melodic track and will dub it “Spoken Word”; spoken word poetry is sometimes performed with music, and sometimes without music. If a poet uses background music, it is only to enhance or compliment the poetry and to add a rhythm. The poetry itself is center stage and not the music, this is the case in any good piece of work.
host and producer of Freedom Verse Cafe
Tshombe (the Poet)
Categories
- Album Review (4)
- Announcement (27)
- Article {Echoed} (3)
- Articles (5)
- free music (13)
- Freedom Verse Cafe (1)
- hip hop (1)
- Indie Films (1)
- Interviews (3)
- Mixtape (6)
- Mixtapes (6)
- Notes (4)
- Playlist (1)
- Poetic Reflection (1)
- Press (1)
- Previews (1)
- Radio Interviews (1)
- Shows (8)
- spoken word (2)
- Spot light (1)
- venues (3)
- video (4)
14 comments
Comment by Tshombe on October 5, 2009 at 11:25 AM
The good thing about my asking for your inputs is that I can accept the difference of opinions and I encourage the controversy where it may be.
Comment by Yahkhahnahn on October 5, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Comment by: Yahkhahnahn on October 5, 2009 4:55 PM
"Oh! Yah, Open thou my lips, and mouth shall show forth thy praise..."
A brother and I was just discussing this very topic on Thursday evening before my vacation trip to Jefferson City, Missouri. We discussed the fact that Poets are only seeking 5 minutes of fame, and are very egotistic in their Spoken Word performances. I discussed the need to unite Artist in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois & was quickly told these Artist don't want that! I find it critical and very disappointing because I too am a Spoken Word Artist/Television Talk Show Host trying to promote positive literacy, and the unification of Artist. In my personal experience I sadly say the words of both Tshombe,(presently) and Amiri Baraka (21 years ago) are still in effect today!
Comment completed By: Yahkhahnahn 5:12 PM
Comment by Lady Khadija on October 5, 2009 at 12:29 PM
it's interesting u mention "a rapidly growing community of illiterate poets", because one of the first brothers i met that called himself a spoken word artist told me that he did not learn to read until he started writing and performing poetry. he claimed that spoken word and performance poetry saved his life because he'd made it through high school and started college as a functional illiterate. it was profound to hear something like that back then (1997) but now it is very evident that most in this new generation can't or don't read. it is evident because the content of their work lacks depth and dimension, but how can someone write about something outside their own point of relation? (of course, reading is a start.) but we must also consider that this is a necessary transition because those very ones had no interest in poetry as a literary art before the rise of spoken word as we know it today. it is unfortunate that we have to wade or in some cases suffer through this transition, but it is a very necessary element in the development of the art form. and it is my belief that, eventually, the ones who lack substance will be weeded out.
Comment by Tshombe on October 5, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Blessings brother Yahkhanahn,
I would presume that you are speaking of some poets and not the lot of them. I would have to agree with you that there is an increasing idea of fame with the genre of "spoken-word poetry", and subsiquently it translates to the written works. I was in a discussion with the brother/poet Shihan while he was being interviewed on the BlogTalk show hosted by the sister U'Nek Reality where he was saying that this doesn't just apply to the younger poets, but to some well established poets as well. He also attributed some of these damages to the way Def Jam Poetry was facilitated and recieved as well as Russells newer show Brave New Voices.
As far as for the unification issue, this has been something that has been attempted by many in recent years to little avail. I urge you to continue your efforts and maintain a since of reselience and soon he day will come when what you seek is within reach.
Blessings,
Tshombe
Comment by Tshombe on October 5, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Indeed I do whole heartedly agree with that example of how one can become literate when one finds the passion in something the find as their "Grail". I think that as established and intellectual poets like Cola Rum, Abyss, Queen Sheba, Sonia Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, Autum Ashante, Max Parthas, Taalam, Sekou, Yourself, and many others who become iconic figures should pass on a piece of wisdom to help the development of those who listen to and follow our works; like recommending essays, books, and compositions for them to read and study.
Comment by Cendrine Marrouat on October 5, 2009 at 7:23 PM
This post is exactly the reason why I am a fan of yours.
During one of my recent interviews, I annoyed a few listeners. I commented on the fact that "There is a rapidly growing community of illiterate poets today that is filled with self-indulgence, egotism, and the worst of all patronage for the sake of fan accumulation and a myriad of reasons, but that is another matter and blog post," to quote you, because you express it so well.
I explained that our society judges books by their covers, and that writers and poets who cannot spell properly will never be taken seriously. To me, if you want to be a writer, you have to follow some rules.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that typos and grammatical errors are a crime. They happen, we are not perfect! I am just annoyed that a lot of this new generation of writers does not pay more attention to their creations. As a community, it makes us look that illiterate folks, and that's why we have to fight so hard to get recognition.
T, I also agree with you on the problem of ego. I, as well as a lot of other people, believe that many spoken word artists are on an ego trip. I have seen a few friends of mine change for the worst, as soon as they felt recognized and adulated by their peers.
As far as I am concerned, being aware of these two issues make me realize that I have to keep myself under constant personal supervision. I want to know if I am going too far or if I should check my ego. I write poetry, first and foremost. Making money and being famous is secondary to what I want to achieve in life. A lot of artists seem to have forgotten that on the way!
Comment by U'Nek Reality on October 6, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Wow!.......I think the word that needs to be understood is "illiteracy"! This word alone may need to be understood by poets of all generes. We look at this word and could very easily assume that if one can't read nor spell, then this word would describe the true issue. However, in poetry we may need to address or even add the term Poetic Illiteracy", meaning the lack if poetic history. Of course, none of us can truly say that we know all that there is regarding poetry, however, to have never have read pass poetic works of great minds as those listed above, is truly a form of illiteracy. The lack of knowledge does effect as well as affect poets as a whole generational. Thus, as we evolve from one generation to the next, it is obvious to see that poetic illiteracy is is becoming even more contagious. At some point self accountability and public responsiblity should be considered, thus confronting not just disposble poems, but also the creator of those poems. Need I even finish that statement. It is about time that we deal with these real life issues! Because if we're really going to find our true voice, then it is our individual humanity that first must be checked and confronted...........Maybe if we began there, then ego wouldn't continue to parade itself across stages and open mic venues........I think that's enough for now, but Yes, my brother I feel ya, so you all ready know.....selah
Comment by Tshombe on October 6, 2009 at 3:39 PM
blessings beloveds,
Cendrine - I do believe that you make an excellent point with regards to criticality we should impose on the spelling and grammar portion of the art as language is indeed important. That is one facet of the illiteracy that is spoken of; however, I do believe that the more one reads, the deeper the vocabulary and understanding of grammatical flow and structure. So yes you are indeed dead on in your points.
U’Nek - My sista you are indeed on fiyah with the term “poetic illiteracy”, I second the motion to make it the point of focused term. There is a rapid decline in literacy in our country as a whole, and if we are to engage in being the future of literary works, messengers—because that’s what you are when you take words from page to stage, and the life (word) breathers of the rising sun; then we indeed need to literate ourselves of the works of pass writers and messengers. I fill ya fiyah sis, indeed I do.
Comment by Tantra-zawadi on October 6, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Brotha Tshombe.
As artists, we utilize a multitude of resources along with life experience in our creative process. However, authenticity, integrity and accuracy will always be relevant. I believe that conversations like this and mentoring will raise awareness in our community as we discover ways to creatively memorialize these historical moments. Imagine all the blank spaces there would been had it not been for the Black Arts Movement! As we develop, we should not be afraid to experiment - think outside the box - get involved in global issues and read books that will impact how we live, write and perceive the world! Love power!
Comment by Cendrine Marrouat on October 7, 2009 at 6:59 AM
Comment by Cendrine Marrouat on October 7, 2009 at 7:00 AM
Comment by Cendrine Marrouat on October 7, 2009 at 7:02 AM
I agree with all that has been said here. I was just stressing one facet of the problem. It is obvious that one must read a lot to expand one's vocabulary and knowledge. It's so obvious that most of us forget!
Tantra, your post is very relevant. I also believe that we, as artists, have a mission: to educate others through our actions, and not only our poems. We have to walk the talk!
We have been entrusted with the wonderful gift of poetry, and we can express in words what a lot of people can't for many reasons.
It is only through posts like Tshombe's, and discussions that we can build a better community of artists. Let's unite and show the world that we can do it!
Comment by SOLID on October 8, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Greetings to ALL,
I also agree with the fact that some, not all poets, are not taking their responsibilities as writers of the future as seriously as they should. In my opinion, we should all be willing to learn as much as possible about any interest, talent, craft, or skill that we have acquired on this busy road we call life. As writers we have a responsibility to seek truth and speak truth so that others may learn from our experiences.
Words should be used to educate, inspire, and enlighten others. One should be uplifted by the poetry they read or the spoken word they hear. It should be a life changing experience, or at least motivate the person to seek inner reflection about their true intentions and purpose.
Although one may be considered illiterate by another, we should be focused on teaching others the proper ways to express themselves in a public forum, by doing things the correct way. Thoughts and feelings that are misinterpreted can often provoke the wrong response. By reading a wide variety of works and connecting with others who have different opinions and viewpoints, those that may not be on the level of other more experienced poets, can step their game up.
We should continue to shine light on these issues, but also embrace the fact that more and more writers are attempting to creatively express themselves in a positive ways. We learn from one another regardless of whether it is right, proper, or considered acceptable.
Stay positive, focused, & motivated. Consistency leads to success. We all have the power to enlighten others through the use of positively spoken word.
TRUTH SEEKERS....SEEK TRUTH....SPEAK TRUTH.
Peace and Love
SOLID
Comment by nabraska on October 10, 2009 at 10:08 AM
I definitly understand what is being said, and I do believe that the state of poetry is becoming very disposable. There are many poets who are as you say illiterate, and egotistical. A degree does have to go to the sub-culture, once again rising up to the mainstream, ie Def Poetry and Brand New Voices. But we also have to ask, what is being inspired, and is inspiration coming from these poets, and to what degree. I remember reading of the Harlem Renaissance, and on the heels of that, the Black Arts Movement, but they were just that--a movement of the people. If this society tells us that money makes us successful, and we as poets know and understand the evils of said money, is it not our duty to enlighten, and educate, then reject what is being portrayed. I believe that there is too much disposable poetry currently; we are not reading, nor are we studying, and learning. We need to stop speaking so much, listen more, learn and edit. If poetry is based purely off of emotion, there is an imbalance, for thought, and process must happen as well.
Just my opinion
Wonderful job Tshombe