~Written by Che’ri Humphrey, MSED July 13, 2011
Fndr/President of Diamonds In The Rough…Finding The Spirit In Me!
Producer of A Star Is Born Talents Events, & “Talk 2 Me!” Productions
Article on gospel poetry event, “McCafe Poetry Lounge’” in the Bronx, NY on 7/6/11 hosted by 98.7 Kiss FM’s Shaila……part two
Shaila of 98.7 Kiss FM
Once I got there I had the opportunity to meet Brian, and Kharisa from Kiss who I had previously met from “Share the Love” or had spoken to prior over the phone; very beautiful young women with a lovely smile. I hugged Rashan and Curtis after chatting with Midnight and the crew he brought from CT. I felt good seeing other people I knew and a couple friends I knew I was going to the McCafe, but I hadn’t heard from anyone so I guess they figured I had changed my mind about going (lol).
Shaila walked in and I immediately remembered her face although she looked a little different since 2005, so did I, but I knew who she was. I reminded her about the contest I’d won, and when we first met at Ida Maes. Lenny had introduced me to her and the crew. He knew mutual friends of mines, the Davis Brothers, and we connected then. (Shout out to Lenny Green with his sexy voice on Kiss FM) Anyway, we spoke briefly and I was excited to see her, and seeing all the contestants about to their thang! Shaila was my “girl,” and I love listening to her on the radio while in the car. Didn’t want to be disrespectful, so I hoped she didn’t mind me snapping pictures of her constantly for my article at the start of the show, but she did take some near the end of show and with me as well, so I knew it was okay at that point. (pics will added at later date only cell phone pics right now)
I’m glad I’m nervous
I was praying that I wouldn’t forget my lines while on the mic, and that the Holy Spirit would move because I haven’t done spoken word since last year for the McDonald’s Gospelfest as a finalist and my 2nd annual talent showcase “A Star is Born: Again,” and had just started preaching instead since 2009. Spoken word really had taken a back burner, and was certainly not my first love. Although I’ve been awarded and told by people I move them. It’s the anointing not me. Spoken WORD kinda happened in my life by accident although I’ve been a writer since 5, and didn’t write poetry until 13, wasn’t recognized for it until 17, and first awarded for it at 20 by the Library of Congress; yet spoken word didn’t start until 2002 at Union Baptist Church, after a break up with my boyfriend that inspired my first piece, “NO Trespassing!” Music, art, writing, & acting had been, and still is my love; especially music, but I had to do what I had to do.
I didn’t begin feeling nervous until it was going on 10:30pm and my name still wasn’t called. I was nervous about not getting nervous (lol) because anytime I had to do spoken word from past experiences and didn’t feel butterflies or a little taste of tension, I knew I was purely in the flesh and there would be NO anointing, so I was glad I was nervous once it got closer to my time. I had to go outside from time to time to hear quiet, pray, and think. I noticed my friend, Midnight, going outside as well, and a couple others who may have liked quiet meditation before speaking as I do, or they were on the phone. I had to go back in because I didn’t want to miss any of the contestants though, so I kept rushing back in. (By the way I hope you’re enjoying the story so far-lol)
Contestants
I didn’t know any of these contestants, except Midnight, his friend, and John, but he came much later towards the end of the night. However, I really enjoyed most of the contestants, and will tell you about the ones who struck a cord with me for the most part. Forgive me if I mess up the spelling of names…
Ibrahim Sadiq, Pete skill, NY whose poem included these words, “…be a leader…for every Jesus there is a Judas!” He was amazing and I loved his confidence although messed up for just a brief moment. He was wonderful!!!
Bernie Freedman from the Bronx, an older white man who looked down on his luck took no shame in coming to the microphone with his poem in hand and reciting words I could barely make out. I commend him for his courage. What ever he was saying he meant it with all his heart.
Jessica was very good who spoke about the Congo and the womb of a woman.
Midnight who had supported DITR at both my 2nd annual Promises Banquet, and our recent talent showcase and completion, “A Star is Born: the Trinity!” came out to take his prize once again. I don’t remember what he said, but he said it with great feeling and delivery while quickly reciting words I couldn’t really catch. However, I do know that when he came to do the DITR promo in Hartford with me, winners from the show, and other artists he locked it up real tight on channel 5, and will be on the team to represent CT for the international poetry slam, a good brotha’. Thank God he was there, or would’ve never found my way to the highway after the event was over!
Minister Lyronne Bridggs aka Proverbs the Poet had great content so much so that it didn’t matter about her stage presence or delivery because the words that came out with such soft, sincere grace spoke of her power to overcome physical abuse. I remember the words, “3 black eyes” having witnessing this growing up, and having my own survivor of abuse program it really hit home for me. I loved it.
Poet Black from Brooklyn talked about kids being retarded which was a metaphor he used for the school system holding them back; forcing them into a life style of being “retarded.” It was totally true. He said it with such caressing gentle words that you wanted to hear more.
Our true essence
Essence Lamond from Brooklyn walked up to the mic with his sharp suit and told us in very eloquent words that his poem was “life lines don’t dare call them lyrics” which is, in essence; correct. Any poet, rapper, writer should give its listeners life changing words, or something that lifts them up when weak or in the bad times. I don’t understand this new aged rap with angry words about killing somebody, beating up someone, or bragging about what they have. It’s dumb and stupid, and I don’t listen to it. Only reason why I would is to hear what some of the stations (except Kiss who’s ole’ school) are feeding our youth, so that I can know what is being said to them to understand their state of mind. Like “oolu coo coo saya x-wa x-wa,” which I don’t know the title to (lol) that Patti Labelle sang when she was in the group gave us something fun to hear, and as a child I loved it. My aunt, Izita (RIP), would pull out the stereo in the Village projects where we lived up until I was 5 for the most part, on Saturdays, and that would be one of the songs she played. Or 80’s music, “It’s like that and that’s way it is-hu!” by Run D MC was hot. Fun music to dance or listen to that still was relevant to the times. Or “Rock da Bells” by LL Cool J, I could go on and on. Does anyone have originality or creativity without trying to be like someone else, dub, or recreate?
Even with poets I think we need to get out of the mentality that all poets have this Africa, or I connect to the trees and must wear an afro or African gele’ to be considered a poet, or with the same tone of voice swaying and rhyming as everyone else. Does everyone have to wear a nose ring, or wear African garbs, or speak of rivers flowing from their vagina to feel connected to “Mother Earth.” It’s okay if that’s who you are, but I’m connected to the Father. That’s the only connection I need to survive. Like Daddy Rich said in Car Wash, “…my God been doing alright by me,” no matter what it looks like.
Poems are messages, and messages have words, and words come from God; He spoke and there was, period (the Bible). It’s feelings, relationships, emotions, experiences, education, and life in general. No one person has the same experience.
Therefore; we shouldn’t imitate anyone else’s style of being, or their creative existence. Be yourself! Do you! I pride myself in knowing that I’ve always been different,” weird,” extraordinary, original, out of the box, non-conformist, a trailblazer, un-liked and loved, distinguished to say the least and never want to be like anyone else as I’ve matured. If the Lord has given you a message to say then say it. If you need to relay an experience- then give it. I like to sparkle, and love loud colors, every color that’s vibrant in the rainbow. That’s why I liked Essence, the only male poet who had a suit on. You go boy!
He went onto to say, “…some of you may not like me when I finish…I’ll say what you’re scared to say.” I hear that! I don’t want to hurt nobody, but truth sometimes hurts, and a good friend will tell you truth with love so that you may grow instead of lies and cover-ups or sabotaging you by not telling you what you need to know which is still lying too. I’ll say what I must even if that means getting bust in the mouth (lmbo). I mean we all have lied, or lie whether big or small, but not to make a habit out of it. Whether you’ve lied to get food stamps, or lied about your credit to get a credit card, or lied to put food on the table. Yes, it’s wrong, but I understand the desperation to survive, but dumb lying is foolish, and some people I know make habits out of it for no apparent reason besides ignorance, yet think their more righteous than anyone else. I know I’m not-still under reconstruction. Always ready to throw stones at someone other than themselves, yet I say nothing even when my spirit let’s me know their full of crap, sometimes waiting just to see how far they’ll take it while knowing all along.
Expression was a teenager from the Bronx who read her very long poem, called, “I Stand For…” I told her after she was done that I thought is was really good, and that she should continue writing because she does have talent, and with direction by the time she gets to be all the other poets age she’ll be twice as good as us. Great job!!!
My turn!
“Okay, let me get this over with,” I thought. “What do I say to start before my piece,” I thought. I started by saying, “No, I’m not a judge just taking notes for my article that’s Shaila’s job,” laughing out loud. I wanted all to know I have nothing to do with this process because contestants kept looking at me strange when I took notes on all going up. I didn’t want any confusion or to be out of line.
I immediately started speaking afterwards. Without any control of my own my voice began to project, my body began to move, and strength rose up from no where, and no one moved. I wasn’t pushing the words, but they began to come alive and magnify, and the Holy Spirit just took over. Before I knew it I was done, and sat down to catch my breath. No one moved, or said anything. I just saw Curtis (not Mr. Farrow) smiling. I didn’t know what to think. So, I just drank my water, and continued to get ready to write.
Is there a Docta’ in the house?...part 3 coming
The McCafe is going on in Harlem, today, the 14th. Will I be there? You’ll just have to wait and see.
References (NLT Bible):
James 5:18-20
2 Samuel 22
Psalms 70 & 112
Romans 8:28-30
Isaiah 40:29-31; 49 & 51
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