PROJECTS: Aura God Me (Oragami) Book title, Love Lost Found Wings( Album Available),Things I Felt One Time Or Another (Upcoming Album), From El- Mina to El Presidente (Compilation)
I was introduced to spoken word by a friend who brought me to the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. There was a Friday night slam showcasing and I had never seen anything like it before. The slam on that particular night wasn’t that intense so I didn’t latch on at first. However about a year later I was down on my luck with my pursuits as a Hip Hop artist and at the brink of throwing my life away, when I made one split decision to go to the Nuyorican. This time, it was different. It was the 06 teams homecoming featuring Rainmaker, Shanelle Gabriel, Brady, Falu and Darian Dauchan. Clearly by the level of expertise in each poets’ delivery I could see these weren’t ordinary wordsmiths. I was so inspired by their work and the love of the audience that watched, I decided that my very own words may have found a new home. In truth, I can never thank those poets for being poets enough. If any of you ever read this, Shanelle, Darian, Falu, Rain,Brady, I am eternally grateful for all of you, for in your words I found my life’s greatest purpose.
2. What is your mission statement as a writer?
My mission statement is simply this……do it like its never been done. Approaching the craft from many different angles is my desire of desires. Of course comparisons are made between poets all the time but I want one day for someone new to come along and people be like “that’s that Soulful $%#+”
3. You are a full time writer. Tell us about what that grind is really like?
As a full time writer the grind is what you make it. We are all creators of our own universe and I believe no one should do anything but that which they love. I remember when I first started I was everywhere poetry was. All hours of the night in Manhattan living in Queens Village. If anyone knows this city then they know Queens Village is the farthest thing that is still considered NYC. Then there was the regular gig the next morning and they don’t care about my pursuit of happiness. I better show up on time or I already know. There is definitely sacrifices that must be made because hey, we are not taught to fulfill dreams in social studies class but the sleepless nights spent perfecting, promoting, adjusting, promoting perfecting, adjusting, and promoting are well worth it when you finally do get that nights sleep and wake up proud in the morning,
4. Being a writer can be a discouraging journey. Describe a moment, where you said it’s all worth it?
The moment I knew it was worth it was my first $10,000 check…hands down!
5. Not only are you a poet, but also a singer. How do you incorporate the two?
Songwriting is poetry as well except the language is not only the lyrics but the melody and arrangement. Really for me one just feeds the other. The better poet I become the better songwriter I become. The more songs I write the more poems are inspired so its a beautiful cycle oscillating between the two.
6. What is the Key to becoming a better writer?
Practice practice practice…so cliche and listening, I don’t mean simply with just your ears. The entire world is vibration and every sense renders vibration comprehensible to our minds. What is even more interesting is that every orifice that receives vibration has a duality or plurality to it. 2 eyes 2 ears 2 nostrils 2 sides of the body the 4 aspects of the tongue. The exit though, through our mouth is singular. So we have more senses to absorb information then we do to send out. Hence my philosophy is pay attention to everything with all senses and there will be more to write.
7. Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
In the next decade I see myself published as a songwriter and poet having made my own mark on these art forms. I also produce music so I would love to have a piece of the action with that as well. My ultimate goal is to be financially free through my craft. There is nothing better than knowing you bought your new house, new car, your first class vacations, your lavish whatever with money earned loving life. That’s exactly where I will be.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Hey, nice tips. Perhaps I’ll buy a bottle of beer to that person from that forum who told me to visit your site
July 21st, 2009 at 10:17 pm
my name is sheena washngton and i am a fan of your work. I wish you success.