… And spoken word is the shit
but poems don’t buy big homes…
Poet Taalam Acey breaks down in his piece why selling out seems to be the prefer option for hip-hop artists. Give a listen. You might learn something. 
Tag Archive for 'poetry'
This is an advertisement for Guinness Stout, a popular beer best known in the Caribbean. So, this ad is currently in airwaves over there. However, I’m bring this ad to the mainland, because this ad was done by International Spoken Word Artist Ainsly Burrows. I saw this ad and the mixture of animation and intensity in the eyes of Burrows, along with his movement shows that Spoken Word and Poetry is an art form. Even thought it’s short, it’s powerful and encourage you to “reach for greatness” (and a plug for the sponsor)! Check out the video and if you want to know more about this man, check out his MySpace page and his YouTube Channel.
Image by darkmatter
For Blog Action Day, I decided to write a poem, calling people to action. I tried my best to record it to music, but plans prevented me from going to a studio.
Just so you know, this is a hip-hop song and written in my own tongue, so some words may not make sense at first. Read it out loud and it will make sense. If you really want to hear a recording, write in the comments and I’ll record it. Leave your real e-mail address so I can get back in touch with you when I do record the song.
Just to give you a perspective, I’m speaking from a entrepreneurs’ point of view. The one of many you can find @ http://www.kiva.org/. I’m a business man myself, so if this poem inspires you, give to Kiva and help people help themselves. No one wants a hand out, just a hand up.
My Poverty Call Out (Some1 Believes N U)
By V.M. King-Yarde
You got the power cause someone believes in you
You can change history if you really wanted to
You got a voice that’s stronger than you ever know
and if you don’t believe in that, well it’s time to show
We are all kings and queens at least in my dreams
cause we all wanna be the best that we can be
Forget the naysayers. let’s talk game players
If you’re serious, do your best to shun the hatas
I have a vision, now. I hope y’all see it
It’s in my mind, and I know I’m gonna achieve it
So, I’m a press play, and speak from my soul
because living out life is our ultimate goal
If our human network is really what we worth
Then our real worth is the work we leave on earth
Please delete your doubts no need to scream and shout
I’m asking for a hand up, not for a hand out.
I know times is hard. It’s been hard on me.
But I believe karma will equalize my density
So you want to help? Then tighten your belt
You’re going to do things that’s going to be heartfelt
Look inside yourself, ask what you will do
If you struggling and your country won’t help you
What do you do? How about where you’ll go?
How’s a stranger going to help? Just let him know
that "I don’t want to hand out, just a hand up
So I can contribute to life’s everloving cup"
I have desire and I want to leave my mark
In this world before my lights goes dark
What can I be? What can I contribute?
I could be a doctor, who can distribute
the cure for many diseases, for every season
But this is just one of those many reasons.
I could bring an idea, into this universe
I could help bring the world to relax and converse
and maybe stop the wars, and start the healing
My abilities can surpass any ceiling
I’m not asking for a hand out, that won’t erase my doubts
I have an idea and all I ask is you hear me out
If you give me just a lil’ help, I work to pay it back
I wanna lace my boots. I’m gonna give it a crack
I want to enhance not only you, but own views
so the world around me is no longer blue
Around me, I want to experience change
but in order to do that, I need to engage
In my own way, today’s a new day
I hope you understand me, in this I pray…
I’m not asking for a hand out, just a hand up
So I can contribute to life’s everloving cup.
My Poverty Call Out (Some1 Believes N U)… by V.M. King-Yarde is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Zora killed the 2006 Urban Word NYC Annual Teen Poetry Slam. I saw this poem while looking for poetry to feature that wasn’t “Def Poetry”. This one got my vote.
The performance got a little bit of everything. Comedy, historical references, and a bit of sass. This is one of those videos I can’t embed due to the video author’s request, so instead, I’ll just link you to it.
Bi-Rachial Hair by Zora (Via YouTube)
Also, I can’t seem to find the author/performer of the piece. Since her myspace site is personal, I’m not going to link it.
Tommy Bottoms – Basic Economics
So, are you having a hard time understanding economics? With all the talks of the economy, there is some people who don’t really understand it, especially those who didn’t make it through grade school. So, to break it down, I looked for someone who can break it down in rhyme. And Tommy Bottoms might be able to do the trick for ya.
This poet from Atlanta explains how the drug game and the Wall Street game is really the same. I think y’all better listen just a few times, because he does get a little tricky with his delivery. (But it sounds so fresh and clean!)
I try my best to stay away from featuring mainstream Def Poets, but since not everyone follows the poetry/spoken word/poetry slam/poets thing, I’ll try to cover both Def Poets as well as other artists following their hip-hop roots.
So, for now, peep the flow. Enjoy!