In this second of a three-part series looking at poetry in various forms, local ladies talk after a poetry event at Sam’s in Pleasantville about the art form of performance poetry called ‘spoken word.’
Cierra Farquharson, Michelle Moseley and LoReal Chrisp-Seels
ATLANTIC CITY — Still in her 20s, Atlantic City’s Michelle Moseley is a pioneer in the world of spoken word and performance poetry.
Though Moseley walks around town with “Hip-Hop Hollywood” looks and style, she will remind you (as she does in one of her popular performance poems) that despite the hair weave, the purple painted nails and high heels, she is still a poet.
Moseley clearly could be a contestant on America’s Next Top Model. However, when she speaks it becomes clear that her mission is bigger than merely looking good for the camera. With poems like “Nonsense” and “What I’ve Been Going Through,” Moseley connects with women approaching her age and those beyond her years. Moseley’s poetry connects with Christians and Muslims in ways that would be valuable at the United Nations.
When Moseley comes off stage she is evolving and growing her brand. She has set the pace for poetry on social networks like MySpace and Facebook with MTV-quality videos. Her YouTube page should be required watching for young ladies starting middle school and young men starting high school.
Since Moseley is a poet who cares about more than when her next CD drops, you can often find her in a school giving young ladies words to live, grow and be happy by.
Her new CD is called The Beautiful Journey, but from where I sit it’s the rest of the world that has to play catch up — she’s been here for years.I caught up with two other spoken-word artists and asked them to discuss what special talent and insight that women bring to the microphone.
LoReal Chrisp-Seels — “Women bring the sexiness and finesse to the art world. We also bring nobility, pride, strength and realism. I don’t sugar-coat my voice. I’m the voice of all those unheard. I add the laughter, the height and the power.”
Cierra Farquharson — “Women bring a freshness and new kind of reality to spoken word, along with a certain strength and vulnerability. I bring real-life situations and a young woman’s perspective to the stage. As artists we are all exposed to the same media stories, but they manifest differently in our work. I also try to give a voice to people who are unable to speak for themselves for any number of reasons.”
Next week we’ll wrap up the series by speaking with poets who do more on the page than the stage.
Raymond Tyler hosts the Alternative Soul Sunday Breakfast Club radio show each Sunday from 7–8am on 96.1FM WTTH - The Touch.
On Wednesday, April 13, several of the finest poets in southern New Jersey met at Pistol Pete’s Saloon & Steakhouse in Pleasantville for a discussion event. These writers breathe fresh life into poetry’s most traditional written and spoken forms.
Today, Atlantic City books mainstream hip-hop, rappers, bands and DJs at almost every casino, and a new crop of rappers are making their mark. What do today’s rappers offer music lovers? Why do rappers from A.C. still believe that hip-hop is relevant when critics and many people who used to support hip-hop are ready to turn the page?
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1. Esz said... on Apr 21, 2011 at 08:00PM
“its good to see some strong black woman with power and leadership. glad to see it woman from this area.”
2. Cierra said... on Apr 21, 2011 at 09:43PM
“This makes my heart smile to see us so beautifully represented”
3. Cheryl said... on Apr 22, 2011 at 07:29AM
“I have met these ladies and I stand in awe that youth can speak with such knowledge. They are wonderful in word and deed.”
4. Travis Mckenley said... on May 1, 2011 at 10:56PM
“Hey Mr. Tyler, Ive been following your adds for several years now. Whats interesting to me is how you spotlight local artists from your city. I havent once noticed or heard on your show you mention an artist by the name of qweegy-bo from your city. I came across him on a covenant house website www.covenanthousenj.org decided to google him and what i found was amazing to me..Im a 28 year old caucasion male from the suburbs..i never liked or even cared for rap until i heard his music. Then to found out that he serves the young youth at his job...spotlight is definitely do. Ive been through your archives and have seen nothing. As far as the female poet your writing on...sounds interesting ..dont like poetry but i will def. take a ear shot.. I would to see something on this young man...P.S with all the Negative exposure your city is having from street violence on up to politics, this would be a good look..Do your job!!!!!!! Thanx Travis M.”