Some hate it, and some love it, but no one can deny that it takes talent to really execute a great spoken word piece. When I listen to Gil Scott-Heron, Amiri Baraka, The Watts Prophets, and The Last Poets, there is something so powerful about their delivery and words. It is just the same when I listen to Nas, Jay-z, Lauryn Hill, and J. Cole, and present day spoken word is like the cultivation of everything that is great about poetry and Hip Hop.

I don’t think spoken word gets the respect it deserves, and I not only speaking as a writer but as a spectator. Spoken word is a great way for the youth to express themselves, and a door to many opportunities. It’s just something amazing about an expression that allows its participants to express ideas about politics, religions, love, and identity. I really have a strong admiration and appreciation for upcoming young spoken word artists that many people have not heard from before, and here are just a few of my artists and their pieces here:

Malachi Byrd.

Olivia Gatwood.

Lamar Jorden

muMs da Schemer.