Spoken Word
The phrase Spoken Word refers to a form of poetry in which a speaker recites a poem or story aloud, either their own or someone else's. The Spoken Word artist can perform with or without background music. In addition to music, Spoken Word artists often enhance their performance with chorography and other stage-play, such as audience participation, but the main focus remains on the narration.
Performance Poetry
Spoken Word fans enjoy the increased powerfulness and entertainment of spoken word poetry or "Performance Poetry", as compared to written poetry. Unlike written poems, Spoken Word artists have more communication methods to use, such as body-language and voice-tone. One should note that not all Spoken Word falls completely under the classification of 'poetry'. For example, Spoken Word often features stories and political commentary. Whether solely poetic or not, many people find Spoken Word much more emotional and moving than written poetry.
The History of Spoken Word
The modern spoken word movement is usually said to have started in the early 90s, and continued from there. However, like most forms of art, spoken word has existed in some form since humans first started communicating and civilizing. Thanks to the fine nature of spoken word, the artist needs nothing but a voice and some words - no instruments.
Spoken Word Artists
In our artist directory, you'll find information about and samples from the following artists:
Aba Cursive, Ackronym, Adam Gregory Pergament, Aimz, Alexander Shaumyan, Anisha Vasani, Anna Lior, APOLLO, April Berton, Audrey Michelle, Award the poet, Aziez Robinson, Barry Fitton, beatrice watson, Bobby Croft, Bradley Ganley, Bren Petrakos, brianni davis, Carolyn Baxter, Che Christ, Chenyelu Bomani, Chosen, Chris Gwin, Chris Lorensson, Christoff Lindsay, Clarise Hicks, Clone42, Common, Connie L. Williams, Corey E. Houlihan, Cottonmouth, Texas, cris nyne, Danny C. Sillada, Darron Ranger, Darron Ranger, Daryl Hennix, Daryl Hennix, Dina Tena , Diselysia, ebony gerald, Elizabeth M. Catania, Erykah Badu, Faylita Hicks, G Styl, genuine emcee, Geoffrey D. Holman , Gijs ter Haar, Huggy Bear Da Poet, Illegal Poet, Illegal Poet, Imani Woomera, INCK, J-Real, J. D. Nelson, Jason Goodin, Jay Watts, Jesse Glass, Jim Coppoc, K. AUGUSTUS, Kanye West, Karen Gibson Roc, Keanna N. Houston, Kina (The Prophetic Poet), KJ, kooky tuason, Lady Elevated, Lamont Carey, Lauryn Hill, Lawlez, Liane Schmidt, LOVE the poet, Magdalena, Malachi, MALACHI RIVERS, Marquis "13 of Nazareth" , Marylisa DeDomenicis, Maximus Parthas, Michaelle, Miko Pepito, Mo Freakenstein, Mozart Guerrier, Ms Divine, Nay Torious The Educator, nercity, Nikia Taylor, Nimit Shah, Non-Fiction, OLIVIA L.F. JOHNSON, Omondi H H Akech, Poez (Paul Mills), S. Money, Sandeep, Sharanya Manivannan, Skript, SpeakeasyJones, SylviAnn Murray, Taalam Acey, Talib Kweli, the sage has.son, Thelonious Black, Thelyvingstone, Thrill, Tshombe the Poet, Watchful Steward, Will Griffin, William Busch, Yvette, Z. Constantine, [verb]swish, and more!
If you are an artist and want to get included in our directory, simply fill out our simple inclusion form.
Featured Poem
You Want A Revolution? by Woody Harrelson
Spoken Word FAQ
We are currently compiling a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about spoken word. If you have a question not already answered by this website, please send them to us using our contact form. We will email you the answer. Then, we'll post all the questions and answers about spoken word on this website.
The Best Spoken Word Website
We not only want to have the best spoken word website on the web, we also want to have the best spoken word website that we possibly can. To do that, we need your help. Please tell us how we can improve. Please tell us what you want to see on this website and any features or information you want added. Send your suggestions to us using our contact forum.