| Spoken Word Soul Fest |
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| by Minister of Information JR | |
| Wednesday, 24 October 2007 | |
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 Georgia Me Next week the First Annual Spoken Word Soul Fest will begin, and it will feature some of spoken word's and music's coldest talent from across the country. Bahamadia, Talaam Acey, Amir Sulaimon, Martin Luther, Mystic, Prentice Powell and Georgia Me are confirmed to touch the stage. As well, POCC Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. will unveil his treasure chest of spoken word rhymes that he has been working on over the years. Scorpio Blues, a talented, nationally acclaimed spoken word artist in her own right, is the lead organizer of this event, and we hooked up so that Bay View readers could share in the festivities. I've known Brandy since we started high school, and ever since that time she was a very determined and intelligent young woman. So it is no surprise that she would be the one to pull off a monumental feat, by creating a spoken word music festival in Oakland, a city that doesn't have a festival that caters to spoken word or, for that matter, to Black people at all. Some of y'all from the Bay might think about the Malcolm X Jazz Festival, but even that is organized by other nationalities. So that y'all would know what's going on with this historic event, we let Brandy aka Scorpio Blues say it in her own words. MOI JR: Scorpio Blues, can you introduce yourself to the world - and how did you get that name? S.Blues: My name is Brandy K. Walker, and although I introduce myself as such, I'm more commonly known on the poetry scene and soon to be known on the music scene as Scorpio Blues. The name Scorpio Blues is both basic and complex, so it serves as a perfect fit for me as an artist and as a woman. If I were to answer your question about how I got my name in the basic form, I'd simply state that I'm a proud Scorpio whose favorite color is blue. In a more left field response, however, I'd say that anyone who acknowledges birth charts, astrology and the alignment of planets knows that every person owns their own moment and that even two people who share the same birth date or astrological sign, can vary widely in behavior and traits. I am my own person in the total freeness of the word, but, in all fairness to my fellow Scorpions, some of the rumors are indeed true! That brings me to the blues: Not only is it a general reference to an emotional state of being, it further allows for various moods and transitions which directly correlate to the joy I find in getting to know myself as an individual in all of my stages - be it calm, regal or explosive! MOI JR: I know that you are putting together the Spoken Word Soul Fest. What is it? When and where is it? S.Blues: This festival began as my brainchild, but I've been blessed to have so many beautifully dope people lend their services, expertise and time to making this event actually come to life. Although the message throughout the generations is standard, I can personally attest to the fact that it does take a village to raise anything divine and that it applies to children as well as ideas!
 Martin Luther, who says, “Oh say can’t you see we are still catching hell!” We will share five days of music and building at various locations in Oakland such as The Air Lounge on Wednesday, Karibbean City on Thursday, Kimball's Carnival on Friday, the Oakland Marriott and Club Anton's on Saturday and Sunday. A full schedule can be found at www.spokenwordsoulfest.com or www.hotwatercornbread.org.
MOI JR: Why does Oakland - or I should say the Bay Area - need an annual festival like this? MOI JR: In your opinion, what is spoken word today about? S.Blues: That's such a loaded question ... Spoken word today is about what it's always been about: individual experiences and life - the things that affect us personally, politically and emotionally. Personally, I'm open to the various messages in all spoken word as long as it is genuine and there is, in fact, a message and a purpose. Most people can say that my work is very pro-woman! In owning that, however, I hope that my being pro-woman is not confused with me being anti-man, because I love my brothas! We, as women, would be nothing without them either, so even the ones who may have "wronged us" can give us valuable lessons that benefit our future growth. So what we talk about in poetry is nothing new. What continues to amaze me, however, is the number of people who just need to hear the basics and find reassurance in the fact that they are not alone in the world or in their struggles - be it political, emotional, financial or romantic! Spoken word is right where it should be in my opinion, because it's progressing. Change is inevitable, so rather than fight it or criticize it, embrace it and add to the direction it takes. MOI JR: What is the last thing that you want people to know? S.Blues: A dear friend of mine said to me a couple months back, "Brandy, you were really on some ‘if you build it, they will come' level!" She was right. I sincerely hope to see my fellow peers and supporters of the arts and artists come out and participate in this event. All of these talented individuals deserve your backing because they are contributing to a new direction and a new life form being planted in your own backyards. This is bigger than me. I may be able to begin building it, but you have to make the choice to come!
Email POCC Minister of Information JR at
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and visit www.blockreportradio.com, hiphopwarreport.com and myspace.com/blockreportfilm. |
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