voices for the voiceless:
Russell Simmons is the creator & producer of a poetry slam show on HBO called Def Poetry. If he sounds familiar, he's the main man behind Def Jam Records, and although I'm not a big fan of the label's artists, this project of Simmons I respect.
Mos Def, the hip-hop artist & actor (The Italian Job, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) whom I've always thought of has a black hip-hop version of Eric Mok, hosts it. I really wish I could tune in. I think I'll buy the DVD for a season or two.
It's a superb idea. HBO describes it as "audacious" and the fact that it is uncensored (& thus found on HBO) is only appropriate for a full frontal verbal & visual experience. This is an important platform for both experienced & well-renowned performers, be it in the realm of poetry or hip-hop rap n' R&B, or up-&-coming performers.
Lauryn Hill is one of the most respected African-American female artists, musically and culturally. Her performance of her poem "Motives and Thoughts" is intelligent, moving & beautiful. Likewise, Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Common, Kanye West, Dave Chappelle, Nelly Furtado, DMX all showcase their voices.
I like that there is a diverse array of voices, from female to male, from young to old, from Caucasian to Asian, from well-known to not-so-known to you(!). The factor that binds each one of the performers is a raw fearlessness.
Sometimes, I wish I were an African-American,
so I could spit rhymes & poetry like seeds outta my mouth.
But then again, Rives is one of the most vibrant & entertaining & riveting & creative poetry performers I have come across.
On a different path of the spectrum, if you watched the 7:22 "All Most God" series (March 2007), about a quarter into Part 1 ("All Most Powerful") (during Mighty to Save) there is a powerful poetry performance by a beautiful woman, and it gave me thrills to just hear the conviction of her words, the earnestness of her love for her Saviour. That is a beautiful sound.
Hearing poetry performed is one of the most raw & energetic forms of experiencing art. It's an auditory & visual feast to take in the flow of words, bursts of imagery, facial expressions & body language of the performer. I just love the rush & excitement of these performances, because they dare to say what I wouldn't dare to say with a wit & a rhyme & a rhythm & a flow.
Mos Def, the hip-hop artist & actor (The Italian Job, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) whom I've always thought of has a black hip-hop version of Eric Mok, hosts it. I really wish I could tune in. I think I'll buy the DVD for a season or two.
It's a superb idea. HBO describes it as "audacious" and the fact that it is uncensored (& thus found on HBO) is only appropriate for a full frontal verbal & visual experience. This is an important platform for both experienced & well-renowned performers, be it in the realm of poetry or hip-hop rap n' R&B, or up-&-coming performers.
Lauryn Hill is one of the most respected African-American female artists, musically and culturally. Her performance of her poem "Motives and Thoughts" is intelligent, moving & beautiful. Likewise, Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Common, Kanye West, Dave Chappelle, Nelly Furtado, DMX all showcase their voices.
I like that there is a diverse array of voices, from female to male, from young to old, from Caucasian to Asian, from well-known to not-so-known to you(!). The factor that binds each one of the performers is a raw fearlessness.
Sometimes, I wish I were an African-American,
so I could spit rhymes & poetry like seeds outta my mouth.
But then again, Rives is one of the most vibrant & entertaining & riveting & creative poetry performers I have come across.
On a different path of the spectrum, if you watched the 7:22 "All Most God" series (March 2007), about a quarter into Part 1 ("All Most Powerful") (during Mighty to Save) there is a powerful poetry performance by a beautiful woman, and it gave me thrills to just hear the conviction of her words, the earnestness of her love for her Saviour. That is a beautiful sound.
Hearing poetry performed is one of the most raw & energetic forms of experiencing art. It's an auditory & visual feast to take in the flow of words, bursts of imagery, facial expressions & body language of the performer. I just love the rush & excitement of these performances, because they dare to say what I wouldn't dare to say with a wit & a rhyme & a rhythm & a flow.