The Power of Words [by Tantra-Zawadi for SpokenVizions]

I felt at home with Sekou and Steve. They welcomed me with warm smiles and positive vibrations. No behind the scenes drama for these beautiful ones! I felt the brotherly love between them and it was uplifting to know they were the same during our interview as they were later in the spotlight.

Walking into their dressing room was like walking into a family gathering with the likes of Artistic Director, Kamilah Forbes, Sonali Bijor of Pitch Control, PR and Executive Director, Clyde Valentin. I could sense this was going to be a moment of the heart that was soulful and unpretentious. Spokenvizions spent a few moments catching up with Sekou and Steve just before show time.


Tantra-Zawadi: You are both accomplished poets that have broadened the scope of performance poetry while simultaneously embracing new audiences. What drew you together and what do you hope to accomplish with your current project “The Word Begins?”

SekouTha Misfit: We met on the poetry scene in California. He came through, made some noise, and you know, got my ears open. We both had the same kind of fire, passion and energy to fill up the stage, run around and utilize the audience and the energy of the full stage. We were initially attracted to that energy and our writing; in the synergy of all that, we wanted to work with each other. Then there were projects, slam teams, tours and so forth.

Steve Connell: Tours and so forth - Norman Lear for over a year initially sealed the deal after we’d been slamming for a while. By the time we got out of that, we had worked together for so long and we’d been battle testing to come through some successes, some failures and some struggles with writing and figuring it all out. So, by the time it was over, we just felt we were locked in as a partnership. The other thing he (Sekou) failed to mention was just the devotion to the work. The way he approached the work was very similar.
TZ: Similar work ethic?

SC: Yes, where it’s twenty-four seven - grind if you have to - sleep comes second if it needs to and you find your way through - driven by the desire to make it hot and that’s ultimately what we love so much about this play.

TZ: So, your work is who you are. You are your work and live what you write about. It’s authentic?

STM: Absolutely

SC: Yes, without question.

SC: That’s what’s interesting about the play too. It evolves into - moves itself in the sense that now there is some character work - so sometimes we write from our heart but now it’s not always in our voice. It’s our voice, but somebody else’s mouth sort of thing.

TZ: Right.

SC: You know so…

TZ: I love that about you. That you are truly what you write about. It’s not about what you do or someone asking you to write about this or that. This is who you are. You are bringing your essence, your energy and that’s beautiful.

SC: Thank you.

TZ: Another question is - being of two cultures, how do you find working together? Do you have conflicts that arise that may in fact take your writing to a deeper, more socially conscious level of understanding or has it actually opened you up?

SC: Yes to both.

STM: Yes, both. Have you seen the play yet?

TZ: Not yet.

STM: The entire race section dives deep into looking at racial dynamics in this country. It’s sort of like the “Declare Yourself” voting tour we did. All of us were in different places with voting so we had to figure out our own personal politics. How are we going to convince the world that there is value in this if we haven’t figured out our stance or know the value in it for us? So, the same thing happened with the race section. We had to crack this open ourselves, figure out the dynamics, the differences, where do we share, where do we depart, misunderstandings and so forth. We had to go through a lot of tension, a lot of difficult conversations, a lot of grappling with tough topics, a lot of enlightenment and inspiration that brought us closer and sometimes further apart as we had to open some uncomfortable spaces; but ultimately brought us closer in terms of being able to say we have to solve this before we can get people to believe that there is a solution out there for the world. This became the microcosm for what that section is trying to do in the play.

TZ: Isn’t it beautiful that you just happen to be poets having this experience? Yet you have the talent, the gift to bring it out and talk about these issues and impact people through art.

SC: Yes - and the blessing of people like the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, Signature Theater, Norman Lear and Ojai Playwrights are some of the people that also gave us the forum that said we want to hear what you have to say and we want to support you guys in doing that. So, that’s been a real blessing. The other thing in what he (Sekou) said about conflict - conflict can bring people apart or it can bring them stronger together. I think again, that’s the blessing. The privilege of working with him is the fact that he’s my brother and I feel that on a true level we are committed to evolving as people. Then there’s this sense of safety even in the danger because we knew we had each other’s back. We wanted to understand each other better. We wanted to work through it and we wanted to evolve. So that’s been a blessing for sure.

TZ: That leads to my next area in terms of politics. There’s nothing new with hip-hop rocking the vote and all - now as poets, my question is, how do politicians receive you? Is it difficult to be who you are in terms of your poetry, in terms of your vision and still be in the political arena?

SC: No. I mean there are difficulties but not necessarily to be who we are. Ultimately, I think the difference between spoken word, hip-hop and rap (as it is nowadays), is the commitment as artists and activists - a real determination to put our truth out there and stand behind that. And we (Sekou and I) have the freedom of not being confined necessarily by outward pressures, labels and that kind of thing. So, with that being said as in any arena, you have to adjust. We have a lot of things to say and sometimes we can’t always say it exactly as we want to, but so long as we can stand behind the fact that we’re still saying what we hold dear (our principles). Wherever we’ve performed - whether it’s been for Obama or Oprah, election parties or “Declare Yourself,” there are definitely times (like anything), when you go into a high school - you’re going to say how you feel differently, but it’s still going to be you. That’s been a blessing. Especially for somebody like Barack Obama, the word is clearly something he holds dear, so I think he respects and responds to those rhythms and the kind of energy that is at the heart of spoken word.
“The Word Begins” enjoyed its world premiere last fall at the Signature Theater in Arlington, Virginia where it garnered the talented duo three Helen Hayes Award nominations. ^
Steve Connell: www.stevenconnell.com
Sekou (tha misfit): www.sekoueffect.com

“The Word Begins” is not merely an exercise in writing or performance poetry, but a brilliant exploration of the complexities of life through race, love, relationships and politics. Their authentic appreciation for words and the ability to present through art how words can change, hurt, inspire and conflict is laugh out loud funny, chaotic and romantic all at the same time. They challenge our “so-called” beliefs while chronicling American culture, politics and religion with a vision for a world that can move beyond its past into an age of enlightenment, understanding and love.

In their own words, “You are not excused.” Each of us has a responsibility to use words that celebrate the beauty within for the sake of our unity and survival. Change begins with a word and Sekou and Steve have used theirs to transform the world as we know it, into a vibrant melting pot of collective understanding.

Love and thanks to Sekou, Steve and Sonali for your kindness. I am grateful to have met you. On behalf of Spokenvizions Magazine, we wish you peace, love and poetry! See you out there!