As most people know, I am big on quality. Quantity means nothing when people do not feel concerned. I have always valued relationships before anything else, and lent my support and help to countless numbers of people. I am not looking for thank yous, I did it because I wanted to. As a result, God has blessed me without limits!
Being a poet is interesting nowadays, especially when one dabs into written and spoken word. I am a writer, first and foremost, because I love the written word. But I am also a spoken word artist: I want to give life to my poems.
I have seen a lot of changes since the inception of my writing career. I have connected with a HUGE number of people, and among them writers, poets, and spoken word artists. Some have become my friends; others (and there were many!) did not seem interested in pursuing the relationship beyond the please-buy-my-book-or-CD point. I have also had the great honor to meet people who work in the shadows and offer unconditional support, no matter what happens in their lives. These people will be the subject of a future blog article, because they deserve to be acknowledged and thanked! I will even call names! ;-)
What strikes me the most is the lack of support for independent artists. Let's talk about audiences and readers for a minute.
80% of the population have no idea what being an independent artist means. The only thing they know is mainstream art. They listen to music, watch videos, and read magazines that demean women and portray them more as merchandise as human beings, promote violence, and encourage youths to think that money is more important than the rest. They hear and read the rantings and ravings of celebrities who have been thrown in the public eye in their teens and who have no clue how to behave properly and be an example to their own generation, because they are encouraged to do so by the big guns in the music industry. As a result of that smart brainwashing by the media, people have no idea what indie artists go through, and how hard it is to make themselves known. People root for what they see, because they do not know if there is something else available out there. And honestly, should I be in their shoes, I would not even want to spend much time doing any research!
20% of the remaining worldwide population is comprised of mainstream artists, independent artists, and people who know them. I am part of these 20%, and I will tell you in all honesty why 80% of people can be excused.
First of all, a big majority of people live in poor countries where music and books are luxury. They do not, or barely, have access to the Internet, a TV screen, or a radio set. Second, the rest of us live in "affluent" countries where (both societal and mental) wealth and poverty meet each other anywhere daily.
During my many discussions with artists from the North American spoken word scene, I have noticed one thing: disunity. We are NOT united! Most artists fight for their own piece of paradise, not concerning themselves with what goes on in the lives of their fellow artists or fans. They ask you to buy their CDs or books, but they will not even help you to spread the word about your own work, even if you purchase something from them. It is something that baffles me but also worries me greatly, because these artists are the most adamant that the world does not understand them. Of course, I am generalizing a little, because I know a lot of fantastic artists whose heads are properly screwed on their shoulders and who are big supporters of others' work. But the trend of non supportive indies is growing.
Being an artist entails many things, and among them, one is to educate others. And education takes many form. It starts with professionalism (in every sense of the term), dedication, awareness (of one's own world and global issues), support, and the willingness to serve as positive role models. You cannot be a real artist if you do not understand your mission in this life. If you are there just to make money and not worry about the world around you, then you are missing the whole point. Because, always remember that we have real supporters who work in the shadows and who are getting tired of the situation. If we don't change quickly, they will stop supporting us. And when that happens, our chances of being acknowledged will be even slimmer.
It does not matter what each one of us has to bring to the table. We MUST become a community. We MUST have discussions. We MUST support and help one another. It does not have to be financial: a lot of us cannot afford it. But there is something that we can all afford: time. It takes one minute to help spread the word about someone else's creations (for example, use the share button on Facebook to make the link available on your page). It takes two minutes to forward a message to all your contacts. Listen to BTR shows, even if can only do it for 5 minutes daily. Connect with people, say hello once in a while, leave a comment under their posts or on their pages. Congratulate them on their work. Send them a note. And most of all, BE GRATEFUL for God and people in your life! Always remember that, without fans and supporters, all your hard work is worth NOTHING. So, we need to CHANGE and STOP taking people for granted. We have to learn to RESPECT everybody, even those who don't have a voice.
Once we start this process, audiences will notice us...
Article written by: Cendrine Marrouat post your comments on her link (click name) at WeAreGreaterThanI
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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)
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