MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE HONORS LAST POET
Moe Beasley; Abiodun Oyewole; Dr. Brenda M. Green; Felipe Luciano
By Keith L. Forest
There’s a scene in the film The Great Debaters where actress Jurnee Smollett’s returns home from her first debate glowing in the light of victory. As the reclusive only female debater on the team, she is amazed by her innate ability to demand attention and create change through the spoken word. This phenomenon is nothing new. In the book of Genesis Chapter 1 verse 3 (New Living Translation) states: “Then God said ‘let there be light,’ and there was light.” Words were what Martin used to end segregation, what Gandhi used to call for peace and what The Last Poets, the innovators of rap and hip hop, used to empower its people and create self pride movement.
On Monday, February 10, in honor of Black History Month, Medgar Evers College, The City University of New York (CUNY) Black History Month Committee presented “Honoring Our Elders: A Tribute to The Last Poets Fathers of Spoken Word.” The standing room only event celebrated the revolutionary forefathers of spoken word whose poignant lyrical rhymes circa the civil rights movement brought a down trotted race of people to their feet in an empowering rage for freedom and equality.
“This is a great moment,” stated Abiodun Oyewole, an original Last Poet who accepted the award on behalf of the collective. Chocking back tears, Mr. Oyewolye, encouraged the multi generational audience to continue searching for their own voice. “There is a Last Poet inside of all of you,” Oyewolye stated. Former TV personality and fellow Last Poet, Felipe Luciano was also present. In addition to releasing his own lyrical venom, the controversial social commentator of Afro Latin heritage took an opportunity to encourage Latin and African brothers and sisters to remain unified.
Hosted by Dr. Brenda M. Greene, Executive Director at Medgar Evers College Center for Black Literature, the tribute also include spoken word performance by numerous enlightening and profound word smiths including student Johanna Royaux, of CUNY Arts/College Now Spoken Word & Hip Hop Class; poet and creative writing instructor, Chris Slaughter and child prodigy Autumn Ashante. Author Playwright Mo Beasley was also in attendance. The award winning artist performed his Last Poet inspired poem “No Good N*%@”.
Formed shortly after the assignation of Martin Luther King, Jr., on May 19, 1968, the anniversary of Malcolm X, the LAST POET continues to influence younger generation of creative talent. Founding member Abiudun Oyewole and Umar Bin Hasaan remain active members performing around the world with Don Babtunde Eaton. Over the years, the Last Poets have recorded numerous albums including their chart topping debut album “The Last Poets” and the sophomore follow up, “This Is Madness.” Their 1972 release “Chastisement,” which introduced a sound they entitled “jazzoetry” placed them in then President Richard Nixon’s counter intelligence program. In 2005, celebrated rappers Common, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Chuck D. and Doug E. Fresh honored their legacy by recording a Last Poet tribute album.
There’s a scene in the film The Great Debaters where actress Jurnee Smollett’s returns home from her first debate glowing in the light of victory. As the reclusive only female debater on the team, she is amazed by her innate ability to demand attention and create change through the spoken word. This phenomenon is nothing new. In the book of Genesis Chapter 1 verse 3 (New Living Translation) states: “Then God said ‘let there be light,’ and there was light.” Words were what Martin used to end segregation, what Gandhi used to call for peace and what The Last Poets, the innovators of rap and hip hop, used to empower its people and create self pride movement.
On Monday, February 10, in honor of Black History Month, Medgar Evers College, The City University of New York (CUNY) Black History Month Committee presented “Honoring Our Elders: A Tribute to The Last Poets Fathers of Spoken Word.” The standing room only event celebrated the revolutionary forefathers of spoken word whose poignant lyrical rhymes circa the civil rights movement brought a down trotted race of people to their feet in an empowering rage for freedom and equality.
“This is a great moment,” stated Abiodun Oyewole, an original Last Poet who accepted the award on behalf of the collective. Chocking back tears, Mr. Oyewolye, encouraged the multi generational audience to continue searching for their own voice. “There is a Last Poet inside of all of you,” Oyewolye stated. Former TV personality and fellow Last Poet, Felipe Luciano was also present. In addition to releasing his own lyrical venom, the controversial social commentator of Afro Latin heritage took an opportunity to encourage Latin and African brothers and sisters to remain unified.
Hosted by Dr. Brenda M. Greene, Executive Director at Medgar Evers College Center for Black Literature, the tribute also include spoken word performance by numerous enlightening and profound word smiths including student Johanna Royaux, of CUNY Arts/College Now Spoken Word & Hip Hop Class; poet and creative writing instructor, Chris Slaughter and child prodigy Autumn Ashante. Author Playwright Mo Beasley was also in attendance. The award winning artist performed his Last Poet inspired poem “No Good N*%@”.
Formed shortly after the assignation of Martin Luther King, Jr., on May 19, 1968, the anniversary of Malcolm X, the LAST POET continues to influence younger generation of creative talent. Founding member Abiudun Oyewole and Umar Bin Hasaan remain active members performing around the world with Don Babtunde Eaton. Over the years, the Last Poets have recorded numerous albums including their chart topping debut album “The Last Poets” and the sophomore follow up, “This Is Madness.” Their 1972 release “Chastisement,” which introduced a sound they entitled “jazzoetry” placed them in then President Richard Nixon’s counter intelligence program. In 2005, celebrated rappers Common, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Chuck D. and Doug E. Fresh honored their legacy by recording a Last Poet tribute album.
Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.
No comments:
Post a Comment