{{Slam Poetry Slam Poetry

English 112 English 112

Slam poetry is a movement which Slam poetry is a movement which became popular in the 1990s. Slam became popular in the 1990s. Slam poetry places an emphasis on the poetry places an emphasis on the performance element of poetry rather performance element of poetry rather than just the content. Many slam poets than just the content. Many slam poets address racial, economic, and gender address racial, economic, and gender inequalities as well as current events. inequalities as well as current events. Slam poetry is also known as spoken Slam poetry is also known as spoken word poetry. word poetry. Introduction to Slam Introduction to Slam Poetry Poetry

Slam poetry is performed at competitions Slam poetry is performed at competitions called poetry slams. At a slam, a poet will called poetry slams. At a slam, a poet will perform alone or with a team for an perform alone or with a team for an audience. The work is judged just as audience. The work is judged just as much on the enthusiasm of the much on the enthusiasm of the performance as its content. performance as its content. Slams were started by construction Slams were started by construction worker and poet Marc Smith in 1986 at a worker and poet Marc Smith in 1986 at a Chicago jazz club. The competition Chicago jazz club. The competition quickly gained popularity and spread quickly gained popularity and spread across the globe. across the globe. Introduction Introduction continued…continued…

Slam poetry can be similar to hip-hop Slam poetry can be similar to hip-hop music or may use an un-rhyming narrative. music or may use an un-rhyming narrative. Some poets enhance their performances by Some poets enhance their performances by changing voices and tones, while others changing voices and tones, while others sing parts of the poem. Some poets use sing parts of the poem. Some poets use nothing but their words while others nothing but their words while others include tap-dancing, beat boxing or include tap-dancing, beat boxing or choreographed movements. Many choreographed movements. Many academics have criticized slam poetry and academics have criticized slam poetry and have questioned whether it is art or not. have questioned whether it is art or not. Introduction Introduction continued…continued…

““TouchTouch Screen”Screen”   

httphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAx845QaOck

Slam Poetry Example Slam Poetry Example #1#1

““When Love Arrives” When Love Arrives”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdJ6aUB2K4g

Slam Poetry Example Slam Poetry Example #2#2

““Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus” Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY

Slam Poetry Example Slam Poetry Example #3#3

““Speaking with Conviction” Speaking with Conviction”

httphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKyIw9fs8T4&feature=related

Slam Poetry Example Slam Poetry Example #4#4

““On Girls Lending Pens” On Girls Lending Pens”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?www.youtube.com/watch?v=44sXwJgqUyc&feature=relatedv=44sXwJgqUyc&feature=related

Slam Poetry Example Slam Poetry Example #5#5

““Money is Not Happiness” Money is Not Happiness”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5FLNFliWYIv=_5FLNFliWYI

Slam Poetry Example Slam Poetry Example #6#6

““I’m Taking My Ball and Going Home” I’m Taking My Ball and Going Home”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBJoZKe_lLwv=SBJoZKe_lLw

Slam Poetry Example Slam Poetry Example #7#7