I Would Make a Terrible Slam Poet
Imani Cezzane
Porsha O
Big Poppa E
Mos Def
These are just a few of the notable top poetry slammers.
Poetry is considered dead. A non-marketable writing form, yet those who are truly good at it excel on the stage, and YouTube has a library full of performances by these talented poets.
This is the darker corner of poetry, carved out for those who dare to tread between performer and writer. These poets stand before crowds and use sharp wit and beautifully measured cadences to draw a crowd and get the snaps.
These poets are hardcore.
These poets typically can memorize all their stanzas.
One of my favorite poems is Angry Black Woman by Imani Cezzane. Her words, as they build momentum, cause chills to grow on your arms because she has you in her cup- shaken and not stirred. Her words are served chilled with lots of ice, and you know that right before she hits home in the end, you will feel a nearly orgasmic treat.
There is a part where she says, “there is more shame in loving a black woman than…
