What an amazing raw form of so many forms of music and poetry. These voices of power and revolution rap, rhyme, write like it's a weapon. They used their voices to speak for an awakening and a definite change in the course of the African American experience.
The wind you hear is the birth of memory
when the moment hatches in time's womb
there will be no art talk. The only poem
you will hear will be the spearpoint pivoted
in the punctured marrow of the villain; the
timeless native son dancing like crazy to
the retrieved rhythms of desire
fading
in-
to
memory
Last stanza from: TOWARDS A WALK IN THE SUN
by Keroapetse Kgositsile
This poem will influence the name and hearts of The Last Poets. These last stanza insights a world without poetry, "there will be no art talk". Keroapetse Kgositsile wrote the poem believing he was in the last generation where poetry was written, before poetry would be replaced by guns. The Last Poets were born on Malcolm X's birthday in 1968; they created something that wasn't poetry at least not in its original form. The beat is a new rhythm, the message much more urgent. The rage is something not seen before in this form at this time. Albums created that speak against the plight of the black man, the unforgiving, jolted message of pain and upheaval. There's nothing comfortable about this poetry.
I know we've discussed a lot about audience and it is a running debate if a poet writes for themselves or for a particular group of people or purpose. Do we care if it falls alone in the forest for no one to hear it, or if it drops into the hands of three men who then develop hundreds more that ends up inspiring a whole music genre?
Hip Hop has a history and a purpose which was to replace the gun. This artistic release provided and allowed for black rage/ human rage to be explored creatively instead of violently, it was an alternative. This may not have remained as the case, music and violence do intersect today. However, The Last Poets weren't the last, so we are progressing. As long as there is art talk we will be heading in the right direction as a species.
you bring up good questions related to the last poets and see how important their legacy is to our current work and our music.
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Your post makes me think about the what the implications of our class--the good and bad. And I left pondering the access and lack of access to art-talk.
ReplyDeleteIts confusing to be honest. -wow I didn't realize how that first statement sounds but nonetheless I am confused. Im confused about what to do with all of this. With "color" with "poetry". The Last Poets performed a rage and a fear that I relate to Daivid Walker and Delany and so many other's who I have had the opportunity of reading. Authors of books and writers of poetry have disclosed a reality that is hard for me to swallow, but this is my only access. I do not have a family tree, I do not have roots that flow from my mother and reach down deep. This is my history the stuff The Last Poets rap, sing, write about.Nothing helps this reality go down, not the education I am receiving, not the choices I can make, not even the fact that we have a Black President! -Frustrated
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