My favorite spoken word poets-Top 20

In my 15 years performing spoken word poetry, one question I've often been asked is : Jamaal, who are your favorite poets? I'll paraphrase Grand Puba of Brand Nubian and say : Just because I'm a poet doesn't mean I'm not a fan. Here are my top 20 poets in no particular order:

1. Mahogany Browne- She's not just an erotic poet. She's a poet. Period. She's a brilliant writer and her stage performances are practically incendiary. Check out her album SHEROSHIMA for confirmation. She's also the Slam Mistress of The Nuyorican Poets Cafe and the Hostess of their world famous friday night slam. International Superstar, she has been around the world several times over and has killed everywhere she's gone. She's a writer's writer and there may not be a bigger , stronger advocate of spoken word poets/poetry. As I often say: Her talent is only excedded by her passion.

2.Roger Bonair-Agard- This gentleman was one of my mentors when I first started performing. He is a brilliant poet/ author/lecturer/playwright and is arguablly the most versatile writer I have ever seen. Former National Slam Champion both individually and team wise with The Nuyorican Poet's Cafe.

3. Sarah Jones- If there was ever a lady who was born for the stage, it's this lady. She is not only a great poet but her her one woman shows are the stuff of legend. Did I also mention that she's won a Tony Award? Surface Transit and Bridges Tunnels were brilliantly written and performed works of art. She is arguably one of the most successful artists to emerge from the spoken word genre and she also happens to be a really cool person.

4.Suheir Hammad- I have never heard a more graceful or eloquent performer. She is also a Tony Award Winner for her work on Def Jam on Broadway. The beauty of her words are only matched by their power. She's written a few books of poetry that should be mandatory reading for writers of any genre: Drops of My Story and Born Palestinian, Born Black. She wrote 2 of my favorite pieces ever: Brothers Keep Me Up and Don't Want To Be Your Exotic.

5.Beau Sia- Whenever I think about Beau, the words "comedic genius" come to mind. This poet/actor is blessed with the ability to make his audience laugh and think. Alot of his poetry alludes to asian stereotypes but applies to all stereotypes in general. If you've ever heard poems like When I Get The Money, Open Letter To The Entertainment Industry, or Asian Men Are Hung Like Horses you know exactly what I'm saying is true. He is a powerhouse performer and truly one of the best at his craft.

6.Travis A. Blackman- Some of You maybe scratching your heads right now. Searching your memory banks and asking yourselves "Who is Travis A. Blackman?" That's because he hails from Toronto, Canada. If he lived in the states he'd already be a legend. This gentleman is ridiculously gifted. Poet/MC/Actor/Comedian and he incoporates every one of those elements into his work. I've had the uneviable task of having to slam against this man, so I know of what I speak. If you can find it, check his album Akebulahn for further proof.

7.Jeanann Verlee- Everytime I hear this young lady perform I get goosebumps. She is as intense as they come and writes as if she is trying to sieze every moment by the throat. Her passion is downright awe-inspiring. Truly one of the best pure writers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.

8.Carlos Andres Gomez- First off, let me say that I don't come into contact with too many poets who leave at a loss for words. This gentleman is one such poet. Carlos is a poet who also happens to be a brilliant actor. Anybody who can share a movie with hollywood heavyweights like Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, and Clive Owen and not get lost or fade into the background is a bad man! He is an international superstar and toured all over the US. He tours extensively and has a huge following. Deservedly so. His poetry reflects his intelligence, passion, humor, and wit. He is the total package. Truly one of the most dynamic performers I have ever seen. Not to mention, he s a great friend of mine and one of the NICEST PEOPLE you will ever meet. A superstar in every sense of the word.

9.Falu-If you haven't seen this young lady perform, you are missing out on someone I can only describe as A FORCE OF NATURE. Not only is she a brilliant writer but her performances are so incredibly powerful, it's scary. She comes from the gut with every poem. Her poems are what I call experiences. You don't just hear them, you experience them, you feel them in your soul. She's quite impressive. Check Helicopters or 10 things I'd Like To Say To A Black Man for further proof.

10. Aja Monet-As young as she is, you'd never know by the way she performs. The youngest Grand Slam Champion in the history of the world-famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe, this young lady morphs into an wise old lady when she hits the stage. You know how some folks describe someone as "an old soul" or "she's been here before"? Well, that's Aja. The thing that stands out about her is her imagery. She paints such vivid pictures with her words, she's Picasso with a pen. There's a rawness to her poetry that is so beautiful it compels you to feel something. Her Poem "Holy War" is a masterpiece but then again so is just about everything she writes. Truly Amazing.

11. Adam Falkner-Get used to hearing this name, because you're going to be hearing it for years to come. This young man is new to the NY scene but he writes like he's been doing it forever. This kid was was my teammate on the 08 Nuyorican National Slam Team and he is a phenomenal talent. He has a unique witing style with fantastic imagery, metaphor, and flow. His poems hit a raw nerve. Poems like Jackie, Passing, Heritage, and his T-Pain poem have made this young man a crowd favorite. If you see this young man's name on a flier,check him out. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

12.Talaam Acey- This man might be the most imitated performer in spoken word. With all the success that he's had it's easy to see why. He is a performer who has trly mastered his craft. He's the author of several books, has 12 spoken word albums to his credit, and is easily one of the most prolific writers in the genre. He's toured all over the globe and is widely regarded as one of the best to have ever done it. Truly Gifted.

13. Ainsley Burrows- This man is what I term "Lightning in a Bottle". An unbelievably talented writer/performer, Ainsley has toured extensively and left a great impression everywhere he's been. Poems like 9/10 and Cataclysms are classics and his new material is amazing as well. Where he truly excels is on stage. His performances are high energy roller coaster rides and he is arguably one of the best erotic poets to ever touch a mic and has a monthly series called FREAK NASTY to prove it. He's also added entrepenuer to list of accomplishments and is founder/ CEO of Burrows Ink and the creator of an on line magazine called GREATNESS. This man has been hailed as a genius and after you listen to his work, i'm sure you will concur.

14.Queen GodIs-Beautiful, talented, majestic, intelligent. Those are just some of the adjectives I would use to describe this young lady. I'd probably run out of superlatives to describe her poetry. Her album POWER U! is must have if you are truly a fan of spoken word. Queen gets busy on the mic and has a flair for leaving crowds in awe. She is pure dynamite!

15. Helena D. Lewis- This young lady pulls no punches. Her poems come at you with the force and fury of a runaway train. And what I love about her is, she makes no apologies for it. Cop her albums Where Does It Hurt? and Second Wind if you doubt me. She is also a playwright as well, with 2 highly successful 1 woman shows (Call Me Crazy & Just Me) to her credit. She's also been on HBO's Def Poetry multiple times and has taken home awards from the Urban Theatre Festival the past 2 years. She was also on the Nuyorican National Slam Team in 2000 that placed 3rd in the nation overall.

16.Saul Williams-Quite Possibly the greatest performer I have ever seen. This man holds crowds in the palm of his hand.
His books ( The Seventh Octave, She, Said The Shotgun To The Head, and The Dead Emcee Scrolls) are must reads. He is an international phenomenon and has 2 albums (Amethyst Rock Star, The Inevitable Rise and Fall of Niggy Tardust) to his credit. MC/Actor/Musician/Singer/Poet. This gentleman can do it all. And do it all incredibly well. He truly is on some next ish.

17.Jessica Care Moore-This Woman is as Dynamic as they come. i have been a huge fan of hers eversince "The Words Don't Fit In My Mouth". This woman has been doing it for a long time and everytime I hear her she's better than the last. She is the founder of MooreBlackPress and is of the main reasons yours truly got into spoken word. She is a wordsmith supreme and has torn down mics all over the world. The first poet to win 5 consecutive weeks at The World Famous Apollo Theatre's Amateur Night.

18.Ngoma- Eversince I heard his poem "Sneakuz" back in the mid '90's I have been a fan of this man. He is arguably the best social commentator i have ever seen or heard. He 's prolific and witty. He writes with a soul and consciousness few poets can match. He is aso a musician who plays several instruments. He is practically a one man band unto himself. He is one of my mentors and has taught me a ton about not only poetry but life as well. He's been a huge influence on me and a host of other poets.

19.Kayo-This man is blessed with what some refer to as "The Voice Of God". He is a world renown performer who brings his words to life in a booming baritone voice reminescent of Paul Robeson. There's a blues in his voice that is undeniable and not only does he have the voice for poetry but he has the words to back that up. I CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS , Just My Imagination, and 1838 are incredbly written pieces and microcasms of his greater talents. He is the founder and CEO of Urbintel, his entertainment company and is also a playwright with a one man show( Growing Up Daddy) to his credit.

20.Eboni-How incredibly dope is this young lady? She is Urbana's Grand Slam Champion for 2008 and two time member of The Nuyorican Poet Cafe's National Slam Team. She has been touring recently is widely considered one of the best young writers/performers in the country. She has a very a quick wit and it shows up in her poetry. She is another one of those poets who strikes a raw nerve with her words and will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. Check her out whenever possible, you don't want to miss her performance. Whether she's being funny or deathly serious she is absolutely amazing!


So, there you have it. My 20 favorites. I hope you enjoyed the list. There are alot more poets I'd like to mention as well but I kept this list to 20. Who are your favorites? Stay tuned for more of my lists. 'Till Next Time.... Peace and Much Love