Introduction to Atlanta Slam/Spoken-Word Poetry Week

[cadenzamuse]

Hi! I'm cadenzamuse, and I'm hosting a week on some Atlanta spoken word/slam poets that I like.

I am not a slam or spoken word poet, so I don't know very much about it other than a: it's an out loud/performed type of poetry and b: I like it. So I turned to Wikipedia to learn about the basics.

Wikipedia says that modern spoken-word poetry originated from the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance and was also shaped by the beatniks. It has deep roots in Black culture and politics.

Poetry slams are spoken-word poetry competitions that started in the mid-1980s. Slam poetry has roots in dub poetry and hip-hop (which are also both often political art forms).

But that's really dry. So how about some spoken word self-definitions?

Become a slam poet in five steps, by Gayle Danley
( Transcript from Youtube, with ersatz stanza breaks by cadenzamuse )

Some questions to discuss:

• Have you encountered spoken word poetry before? What have you liked or disliked about it?
• How do you define spoken word poetry?
• How is spoken word poetry similar to or different from other forms of poetry developed by oppressed populations?

Some things to try:

• Write a spoken word poem following the steps laid out by Gayle Danley. Feel free to share it with us!
• If you have some extra time, watch another excellent introduction to spoken word poetry at the TED Talk "If I Should Have a Daughter" by Sarah Kay.