Poetry As Usual
Season 1
My Cypher Consists of Lyricists
The Convergence Era
Legit or Ego Trip
Trust The Process
The People vs. The Poets
Poetiquette
This Ink Ain't Free
Poetic Justice
Rhyme, Reason, and Rennaissance
by The Dope Poets
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast, we're joined by all the members of The Dope Poets collective: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, King Kamayera, Lady Kay, Jerome Heka, Brittany Barker-Waweru, and King Quinc. In this episode, the group dives into the art of lyricism, exploring what makes language memorable, impactful, and enduring. They also share some of their favorite books and discuss the storytelling rap songs that have left the greatest impression on them, highlighting the intersection of poetry, hip-hop, and narrative. The conversation then turns to the use of shock value in poetry and whether cultural references have become overused or are still an effective artistic tool. From there, they examine the tendency for poets to revisit the same subjects repeatedly, debating when familiar themes remain compelling and when they begin to feel repetitive. The episode concludes with a discussion about poetic structure, as the hosts reflect on their favorite ways for poems to begin and end, and how opening and closing lines can shape the audience's experience of a piece. Tune in to the tenth episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast.
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast, we're joined by members of The Dope Poets collective: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, Lady Kay, Jerome Heka, and Brittany Barker-Waweru. In this episode, they take a journey through some of the most influential eras in Black poetry, exploring movements such as the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement, and The Last Poets, while discussing how each period shaped the evolution of the art form and the role of the poet in society. The conversation then turns to a timeless question: Do poets have an obligation to speak on social and political issues, or is poetry free to exist outside of activism? From there, they examine the current state of spoken word and contemporary poetry, arguing that the art form feels as though it is experiencing a new period of creative flourishing. They wrestle with whether "renaissance" is the right word to describe this moment and brainstorm what future generations might ultimately call the era of poetry we are living through today. The episode also explores the importance of mentorship in poetry. The group reflects on the relationships between emerging poets and more experienced artists, discussing why poetry elders are essential to preserving the culture, passing down tradition, and helping cultivate the next generation of writers and performers. Tune in to the ninth episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast.
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast, we're joined by members of the collective known as The Dope Poets: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, King Quinc, Lady Kay, and King Kamayera. In this episode, they explore the differences between prose writing and poetry. They discuss the tension between the academy's attempts to define art and the idea that art is a form of expression that becomes limited when we try to place rigid definitions on it. They also acknowledge that some poets primarily focus on the page, publishing books and written work, without emphasizing performance, while many performance poets do not always translate their work effectively onto the page. The conversation then shifts to how more seasoned poets show up in poetry spaces. They discuss how experienced poets often approach poetry slams, including the tendency to leave early if they do not advance, and debate whether sportsmanship should play a larger role in slam culture. They also examine showcase dynamics, including how some veteran poets may express frustration when they are scheduled to perform before less experienced artists. The episode concludes with another installment of Run It Back, where they revisit the poem "An Ode to Spirit," written and performed by the Virginia Poetry Slam Team, Rich Ink, and featuring team members Ephrim Nehemiah and Malpractice. Tune in to the eighth episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast.
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast, we’re joined by members of the collective known as The Dope Poets: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, Brittany Barker, and Jerome Heka. For this special episode, they welcome their first-ever guest to the podcast: Brandon Leake. Brandon Leake is the Season 15 winner of America’s Got Talent, a seven-time Telly Award winner, a SOVAS Award winner, and an Emmy Award winner. Together, they discuss the journey of a spoken word poet, from writing a poem and sharing it at open mics to earning opportunities that come only through dedication, perseverance, and hard work. Brandon reflects on what it took to compete on and ultimately win America’s Got Talent, offering insight into the discipline and determination required to succeed at the highest level. The conversation also explores the nuances of poetry, including how it often begins as a form of personal healing, while the pressures of the industry and competition can sometimes cause artists to lose sight of their original purpose. The group discusses faith, values, and the importance of maintaining one's character in an industry that frequently tests both. Through Brandon’s story, the episode serves as a powerful testament to how far faith, talent, and hard work can take a person. Tune in to the seventh episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast.
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast, we’re joined by members of the collective known as The Dope Poets: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, Lady Kay, King Kamayera, and Jerome Heka. Together, they discuss the evolution of the poet’s journey, which often requires navigating non-poetry spaces. The group reflects on how, before becoming poets, they were first members of a community, and how those same communities often become the first spaces where their poetry is introduced and received. They also share the different types of non-poetry spaces they have performed in and discuss some of the challenges that come with those environments, such as the lack of a microphone or microphone stand, inconvenient stage locations, and more. The conversation also explores the difference between a classic poem and a hit poem, leading to a deeper discussion about whose opinions poets should value most: their poetry peers or the larger audiences that typically engage with their work. The goal of this episode is to share perspectives on how poets can better navigate non-poetry spaces, highlight differing views on how poetry is evaluated, and examine the value of both poets and non-poets as consumers of poetry. Tune in to the sixth episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast.
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast, we’re joined by members of the collective known as The Dope Poets: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, Brittany Barker, King Kamayera, and Jerome Heka. Together, they discuss the relationship between a poet’s character and their talent. They explore how a poet’s intentions shape how they show up in poetry spaces, and they examine etiquette within the community, particularly when it comes to features. For example, they address issues like poets arriving late, canceling at the last minute, or failing to review information provided in advance. The goal of this episode is to share perspectives on how poets can better share space within each other whether it be at an open mic, a showcase, a feature, a workshop, and merely just in fellowship. Tune in to the fifth episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast.
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast, we’re joined by members of the collective known as The Dope Poets: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, King Kamayera, Lady Kay, and King Quinc. Together, they discussed intellectual property as it relates to poets performing on platforms that record their work. In particular, they explored the tension between poets owning their poems and platforms owning the recorded videos. They also examined the concept of originality as it pertains to how poets and platforms sometimes arrive at similar ideas for poems and events. Lastly, they shared their perspectives on how the poetry community can navigate situations in which platforms have exploited, taken advantage of, or otherwise harmed poets.Tune into the third episode of the Poetry As Usual Podcast.
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual podcast, we’re joined by members of the collective known as The Dope Poets: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, Brittany Barker, Lady Kay, and Jerome Heka. Together, they discuss what it means to be a poet and the responsibilities associated with that label. They explore the history of slam poetry and the ongoing debate about whether poets should be judged by fellow poets rather than randomly selected audience members. They also share their perspectives as curators, discussing what they look for when selecting poets to feature on their platforms. Additionally, they brainstorm ways to navigate situations in which someone in the poetry community alleges harm by another member of the community. The episode also introduces a new segment, “Come Outside Poet,” where each of them shares the names of poets they would like to see reemerge into the poetry scene.Tune into the third episode of the Poetry As Usual Podcast.
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual Podcast, we’re joined by members of the collective known as The Dope Poets: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, Brittany Barker, Lady Kay, and King Kamayera. Together, they discuss the current state and culture of spoken word poetry. They share their thoughts on poetry workshops and offer perspectives on how poets can continue improving their craft. The conversation also explores some of the challenges involved in curating poetry spaces, whether open mics or showcases.Tune into the second episode of the Poetry As Usual Podcast.
On this episode of the Poetry As Usual Podcast, we’re joined by members of the collective known as The Dope Poets: Imani Waweru, Storyteller Gordon, King Quinc, and Jerome Heka. They talk about why they created their platform and their goal of bringing the off-the-record, behind-the-scenes conversations that poets often have into the open. For many reasons, some poets don’t feel comfortable speaking on certain topics, and The Dope Poets want to create space for those voices to be heard. In this episode, they discuss the current state of poetry, what inspired them to become poets, the different types of poetry platforms, and more.Tune in to the first episode of the Poetry As Usual Podcast.