Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
To My Sis-stars (Original Piece by N.Steven)
Location: Liberty University (My Alma Mater)
Poet: N.Steven (My Homie/Partner in Rhymes -- haha)
Click here if you would like to read more from N.Steven. (Quick plug -- He's got three books out, including "Just Some Stuff I Wrote Down", which debuted this past spring.)
Shout out to N.Steven. Much Love.
Enjoy!!!!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, August 31, 2007
What Is Spoken Word? (My Thoughts)
Technical Definition:Spoken word is a form of literary art or artistic performance in which lyrics, poetry, or stories are spoken rather than sung. Spoken-word is often done with a musical background, but emphasis is kept on the speaker.
One of the most common sorts of spoken word performances is performance poetry, where a poet either reads previously-published poems, or reads poems specifically written to be performed aloud. Another kind that has gained popularity in recent years is political and social commentary, done in such a way that it is, while still prose, somewhat more artistic than a typical speech. Spoken word artists are often poets and musicians. Spoken word gained notoriety in the late 1980s and early 1990s through the emergence of "poetry slams," where spoken word artists would square off in cabaret-style duels.
My Personal Definition: Once upon a time, a heart with too much emotion picked up a pen with less than adequate ink, wrote on paper with not enough space; so he/she stood with just enough courage, and spoke with more than sufficient volume...to one pair of ears or more.
King David was a poet. But Jesus was a spoken word artist.
King Solomon?....a poet I'd say. But Job?...No. THAT dude was a spoken word artist.
Martin Luther King, Jr.? ....Spoken Word Artist.
Malcolm X? Spoken Word Artist.
My mother, or my bold 8 year old nephew?....Yes. They as well.
Even God Himself used words to aid Him in Creation. He spoke everything into existance, save man/woman.
I proclaim that anyone who speaks truth unashamedly is by experience, if not by vocation, a Spoken Word Artist.
Words are so powerful, and the tongue is accredited to being either deadly or helpful. So, you allow these two forces to commence in a collaboration, and damage can be done.
Yes, you can ignore my blogs and my words. You can slide a book underneath a coffee table and allow it to collect dust. But few are successful at blocking out the resonance of the Spoken Word...
...but you can go ahead and try. I dare you.
Monday, March 5, 2007
The Origin of My Screename...(My Introduction)
"I.Am.Spoken.Word."
#1. "I"
I believe the biggest crisis in today's society is that of Self-Identity. Most people would say that spending too much time thinking of yourself will never benefit anyone else...but I must say that until you find out who you are, you are of no help to anyone else. The first thing God did upon creation of Man, was provide him with an identity; a purpose for being created. Until one finds purpose, you are dead.
#2. "Am"
This is a very powerful word to me. Our culture is driven by stereotypes. They attempt to define me by my color, my bodytype, my academic progress, etc, etc. I was born into classifications...but somewhere along the line I decided to silence the mouths of my oppressors. When I say "I Am"...walls break.
#3. "Spoken"
There is life and death in the tongue. Dreams begin in the heart, but there is something powerful about becoming brave enough to voice them. There is no turning back once you've passed this step. You cannot take back what you say...you may ask forgiveness, but the act has been comitted. When God created the universe (with the exception of man), he "spoke" it into existance. So, God has given me that same power...to take life and to speak life into a situation; making it so, or making it cease. (Not physically, but spiritually) BE CAREFUL WHAT U LET COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.
#4. "Word"
This is twofold....First, I believe in the unfalliable word of God. The Bible, is more than a dead, ancient piece of theological literature that holds more historic value than it does relevance to modern times. It tells me everything I need to know about anything worth knowing.
Secondly, I think that words are vessels for truth. We are unlike the animals in many ways...one particular way is that we use words, instead of mere consistant sounds. Why is that? Coincidence? Because words bring power. As well as rage, hatred, love, encouragement, and affirmation.
God has given me a stewardship over words....
Identification.Definition.Creation.Power.
I.Am.Spoken.Word.