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"Power!" Activist | Executive Producer | Writer | Poet Bruce George | myspace Page 1 | 2 | 3 Lee: What is your definition of Spoken Word? Bruce George: “Spoken Word” is a media driven word. What words do you know that are not spoken? The same goes for “rap.” Rap was a media driven word as well. The true name of the art form is “Performance Poetry.” Performance Poetry is free-verse oration that’s performed as opposed to just being read. It’s less didactic, and more interactive thus the African traditional “Call & Response.” L: What piece is playing in the background of your website, http://www.brucegeorgemedia.com? B: That’s a Saul Williams piece. Saul is a good friend of mines. We remember each other from the poetry circuit in New York City, specifically the infamous "Brooklyn Moon Café", upon which many of your seasoned veterans are an alumni. I’m proud of Saul for being outside of the box in terms of his writing as well as his business sense. As you know the poetry world is very incestuous. L: You are also an honorary judge for the upcoming Red Bull Word Clash created by Monte Smith in North Carolina. At last year’s Second Annual North Carolina Poetry Grand Slam, what distinguished the first place performance (Carlos Gomez) from the others? B: Good question! I would say that all of his pieces held the same level if not a greater level of intensity, passion and cohesiveness. While the others were fabulous as well and it was a tough competition, some of them started to loosen up as the rounds went on. As a Slam Judge you have to be sensitive to that dynamic. L: In the Planet-Hip Hop interview you talk about a “bastardization process” that art forms such as Hip Hop and Spoken Word go through. Could you expand on what you meant by “bastardization process”? B: I meant that all art forms get diluted as they become more commercial. It loses it integrity and strength. So the word “bastardization” is another word for commercialization. L: How do you feel about the message that is being channeled through major radio and television networks in regards to music (Hip Hop singles/videos) and literature? B: It’s controlled for the most part by the money people. So the message is always going to kowtow to guarding the status quo’s agenda, which is containment. Mumia said it best when he said “They rather me have an Uzi, than a microphone.” L: What would a Bruce George radio program sound like? B: It would sound like “Boom!” Then it would end because it’s all about agitating the status quo! Uncovering the status quo! Consciousness to the masses! Resistance to the status quo! Self-determination for the masses! Revolution for the revolutionary! Uhuru! L: What’s the latest news on The Bandana Republic, An Anthology of Poetry & Prose by Gang Members & Their Affiliates? B: We are about two minutes from landing a publisher, and we are still accepting submissions. L: For all those in search of more information on what you are working on and with, including your website, where do they need to go? B: Go to: http://www.brucegeorgemedia.com ; http://www.thebandanarepublic.com & http://www.defpoetryjam.com L: Thank you for the interview. B: POWER!
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Planet Hip Hop w/ BGyrl4Life This interview can also be viewed at the following link: Planet Hip Hop Interview Post The Representation Show |