Poetry 2017 Showcase at BAM Delivered Sound, Words, Power With New York Soul

The narrative of old New York was that of a melting pot. A city where people of all walks of life and backgrounds could come to pursue their dreams. A city that would take you as far as your strength of character and work ethic. A city that was hard, yet welcoming.

The new New York narrative is the opposite in many ways. A city devoted to the biggest business possible. A city now host to a population more accustomed to a privileged existence, while increasingly treating it’s working class and poor as an inconvenience.

Times have changed.

It’s with this backdrop that producer Mikal Lee’s “Poetry 2017: Sound. Word. Power” series at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) takes on its importance. A showcase that captured the essence of the old New York with a modern twist. A moment of art that seamlessly bridged many of society’s most urgent divisions.

Upon filing in, the audience was treated to a riveting opening set from DJ Reborn that bridged hip-hop classics with the club music of today. Yet more captivating than the soundtrack DJ Reborn laid down was the ambitious stage design which was dimly lit in advance of the performances.

With the feel of an off-broadway production, the set was a multi-leveled structure made primarily of wooden 2x4s which gave the impression of a movement in progress. Sturdily built, but adorned with graffiti to give a symbolic sense of being “under construction,” the set communicated in a manner that big budget productions of today like Hamilton are able to: taking the audience beyond focus on the talent to full immersion in an experience.

From there the performers delivered in earnest. The capacity crowd was treated to the type of soul searching art that historically would be found at Bowery Poetry Club or Nuyorican Poets Cafe, on modernized display at BAM.

With enthusiasm and an authentically classic hip-hop approach that’s made him a staple in global artist-educator circles, Baba Israel set the tone for the show. Combining light hearted freestyle with a succinct yet earnest approach to providing details to the audience about the show and talent, Baba’s hosting bridged the true school spirit at the heart of the show with the polished approach today’s audiences prefer.

From the first performer to the last, you could feel the impressions being formed and the young performers being enriched by such receptiveness to their soul baring art.

Frank Waln, an award winning Sicangu Lakota storyteller, hip-hop artist and producer set off the show with powerful music about the plight of his Native American tribe as well as a poetic tale on their origin story.

Lady Logic was a poetic firebrand, embodying much of the black girl magic championed at the intersection of progressive social movements today, again, bringing an older New York vibe to the fore through a modern lens.

The Peace Poets were clearly the elder statesmen of this scene, delivering the most complete experience of all the performers. Using the hallmarks of a classic hip-hop group performance such as synchronicity, group adlibs and “call and response,” The Peace Poets catapulted the event’s pensive energy to a full-on celebration of the progressive spirit the show embodied.

Headlining, was the buzzing R&B/Rap/Poetry duo OSHUN. Fresh off of a strong showing at SXSW this year, Thandiwe and Niambi Sala appeared clad in regal garments reminiscent of ancient Egyptian garb and demonstrated why they are being championed as the next in a lineage of powerful, thoughtful, inspiring artists such as Queen Godis or Aja Monet.

Backing all of the artists was Yako 440, a gifted multi instrumentalist, cleverly encased into the set opposite stage DJ Reborn, who layered additional life on top of an already versatile soundtrack throughout the show. Choreographed performances from NUU Knynez also accompanied the talent. The New York-based dance trio combined multiple elements of dance into an expressive blend of interpretative display that eloquently accented artist performances throughout the event

The fullness that the “Poetry 2017” experience delivered shouldn’t be understated. As the world around us seems to change rapidly, it was fulfilling to know new New York can still deliver that old New York spirit.

In all, a thoroughly impressive display of talent, passion, music, sound, words and power.