His Soul (Spoken Word)

Awesome imagery.

Love the background music.

Short & sweet.

A great share.

Poignant Letters

His soul runs free like wild horses,
that belong to travelling gypsies
and painted native americans.
It’s very essence? a burning flame,
that forms the shape of a soaring eagle.

His soul lives within my soul,
for I am him and he is I.

His soul is a dream catcher, a hamsa amulet
and a talisman. It’s essence? baptised water
and the very wine in the jewel encrusted holy grail.
His soul is the indigo veins on a tarot reader
and her, Tarot of Piedmont, deck of cards.

His soul lives within my soul,
for I am him and he is I.

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The Lyric Review : Twice – Little Dragon

  Twice, both a song and an example of poetic brilliance, is only 4 stanzas long (two of which are a refrain) yet carries the weight and depth of a thousand stories. The poet within me is absolutely mesmerized by the artistry of pieces that are concise and poignant, yet engorged with layers of meaning. Almost anyone can find and/or lose themselves within the words because they’re ubiquitous in nature.

Each time you listen to this song you could take a different meaning from it based upon where you are in life. Once you add the instrumentals, a simultaneously soothing and gripping arrangement of soulful and ethereal sounds, the weight of that meaning is intensified. The foundation of it is a set of rich, deep and somber tones accompanied by lighter airy tones that make you think of water and bird song. Couple the track with the creative imagery of ‘Dreams from the Woods’ by Johannes Nyholm, and the song morphs into an experience. The counterbalance of it all is enchanting, haunting and yet heavily reminiscent of life. Each listen has the potential to touch you on a deeper level.

A Poem For Mother’s Day: Dulce de Leche – Oveous Maximus

Happy Mother Day, people.

I found this poem through Nikki Skies’s blog, and thought that the poem was not only fantastic, but timely as well.  Enjoy.

The Lyric Review : White Shoes – Wale

Echo Chambers is a love letter to not just the Spoken Word, but the Performed Word.  The performed word includes everything from stage performance, visual art that uses words, and music.  In the case of the latter, I’m a big fan of hip-hop and the lyricism at its essence.

I am not the only one, however.  Despite the direction that hip-hop culture has been headed, there remain many worthy messages within the genre.  Through Echo Chambers we intend to use this platform as means to explore these themes.

Co-written by Indigo B., Echo Chamber’s newest segment will explore the themes behind different songs in hip-hop as we share thoughts on the messages.

Indigo B.

On Poetic Activism Featuring Omari Fox

The artist is an activist, especially in the spoken word community.

More than once have the words of a poet changed my outlook on any number of social-political issues.  In part, this is the beauty of the form.  Those who know more than I do seem so willing to share their ideas all with the aim to better the world around them with their collective voices.

Recently I was in Charleston, SC for a Diversity Conference.  The conference was taking place only days after the killing of Walter Scott in North Charleston.  Needless to say, the conference was abuzz with the controversy.

Enter Omari Fox.

Fox arrived with a solemn face and reserved energy that afternoon.  Having just attended Walter Scott’s funeral, he was a man drained, but unerring in his mission.

Re/Verb : More Than M.E. – Kimbi the Goddess

More Than — Poetry

More Than M.E.(Melodious Expressionista) by Kimbi the Goddess is a funky eclectic mix of spoken word infused with a jazz soul and broad sensibilities.  With standout tracks like Ish and Moment, this is an album that is both easy on the ears and good for the soul.

Each track of  More Than M.E. is representative of Kimbi’s own thoughts and experiences, but her navigation of these tropes often flirt with the profound. She weaves her truth through questions about God, black culture, love, and being. She champions oneness; oneness of man and woman, of god and humans, even the oneness between  parent and child. It’s a beautiful message, and one that fittingly ties the project together.

Ish – Kimbi the Goddess

15 Most Common Comments on Poetry Youtube Videos – Derek Berry

I’m not counting this piece as one of our ‘Dopeness’ segments, but I think this piece deserves some praise.

Derek Berry has recorded a poem that is also a YouTube commentary video that speaks on how poetry videos are commented on.

‘I can totally relate to this’

Five Spoken Word Poets Here to Slam Your World

Dopeness : To This Day

This piece is a classic.  Written and performed by Shane Koyczan, this viral hit has racked up over 15 million views and is universally loved by almost all who see it.  Koyczan, a master of moving emotion, will have you feeling all over with this amazing piece.

Dopeness : Dear Young Men of Color

Fong Tran has something special.

Yes, he is a great lyricist with a mastered cadence, but what makes him special is his perspective.  Too often I find that subject matters regarding race appear relegated to a black/white binary.  Race is much larger than white and black, and Tran’s widened perspective of a long established dilemma feels fresh.  Tran performance is making several powerful statements that not only make the piece Dope, but timely.