Def Poetry for the Masses

Rap and hip-hop is nothing without its roots, and before the mixtapes, the remixes, the beats, and the SouljaBoy, there was only the rhythm and rhyme of the words. Spoken word poetry pays homage to that simpler time, and delievers soul-rattling calls for change with straight fire delievery. These clips are from the HBO show Def Poetry, and I cannot stop watching them, and soaking in the lyrical genius. These three are just a few of my favorite poem productions:

The Hebrew Mamita is Vanessa Hidary's kvetching opus for Jewish identity in a world of secular skeptisim. It hits home for me, as a member of the Tribe Called Moshe, but the language enraptures anyone who will listen.


Niggers, Niggas and Niggaz calls out the black community's constant use of the N-Word. Some may argue that African Americans have "taken back" the slur of white slave masters, but Julian Curry questions the prevalence of the ugly word in the vocabulary of blacks in America.


Before John Mayer and Graduation, there was just Kanye on stage and his accapella rendition. Bitter Sweet was just a poem, and is amazing to hear when he's performing the spoken word. Extra bonus: freestyle with extra egotism!



Know your roots, and the rap just keeps getting better.
--TheSideNote

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