BAM Presents ‘Poetry 2014: Birth of a Hip-Hop Nation’

Article by Hillel Italie, Associated Press

“Poetry 2014: Birth of a Hip-Hop Nation” will take place on May 9. Photo courtesy of BAM.
“Poetry 2014: Birth of a Hip-Hop Nation” will take place on May 9. Photo courtesy of BAM.

Paying homage to the roots and political relevance of the South Bronx-born hip-hop movement, BAM will present a one-night-only performance on Friday, May 9, titled “Poetry 2014: Birth of a Hip-Hop Nation.”

The night will be hosted by Toni Blackman (who has performed with Mos Def, The Roots, Wu Tang Clan, and Erykah Badu, and has been featured as one of Essence magazine’s “30 Women to Watch.”), and the acclaimed DJ Reborn (who has spun at shows by The Roots, Talib Kweli, Common and John Legend), and will include performances by Aja Monet, Carlos Andrés Gómez, Pop Up Poets, Will Power, Ramya Ramana (2014 NYC“Poetry 2014: Birth of a Hip-Hop Nation” will take place on May 9. Youth Poet Laureate), Rebel Diaz, Carvens Lissaint and York City students to professional spoken-word performers. BAM’s Education Tre G.

“Poetry 2014: Birth of a Hip-Hop Nation” is the exciting outgrowth of a BAM program that exposed New Photos courtesy of BAM “Poetry 2014: Birth of a Hip-Hop Nation”

“Poetry 2014: Birth of a Hip-Hop Nation” celebrates the roots of the  South Bronx-born hip-hop movement. Photo courtesy of BAM.
“Poetry 2014: Birth of a Hip-Hop Nation” celebrates the roots of the
South Bronx-born hip-hop movement. Photo courtesy of BAM.

celebrates the roots of the South Bronx-born hip-hop movement. Department launched its poetry program in 2004, giving students an opportunity to explore their own voices and use poetry as a tool for self-expression. Along with school-based residencies led by BAM teaching artists, students attended an annual performance featuring some of the best poets in the country. These shows began to attract interest beyond a student population, leading to the creation of this year’s evening event—open to the public and staged at the BAM Harvey Theater.

The May 9 performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. at BAM Harvey Theatre. Admission is $15. See bam.org for more information.

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