Top Five Spoken Word Artists
March 11, 2016
Poetry has and will continue to be an art form in which artists use words to express intense emotions and ideas, however many poets have astounded the world these five in particular capture the true beauty of what words can do to people when arranged in a certain way.
- Blythe Baird
¨I am trying to see things in perspective. My dog wants a bite of my peanut butter chocolate chip bagel. I know she can not have this, because chocolate makes dogs very sick. My dog does not understand this. She pouts and wraps herself around my leg like a scarf and purrs trying to convince me to get her a little bit. When I do not give in she eventually gives up and lays in the corner,under the piano drooping and sad. I hope the universe has the best interest like I have my dogs. When I want something with my whole well being, and the universe withholds me from it from me. I hope the universe thinks…silly girl. She thinks this is what she wants, but she does not understand how much it will hurt.” -Blythe Baird
Blythe Baird is a world known artist and writer recently has started her career as an actress as she has just been in the movie Divergent . Blythe became well known due to her spoken words being published on a youtube channel called ‘Button Poetry’ which features the best upcoming writers and poets. Her spoken word entitled “Girl Code 101” has received over 50 thousand views on youtube and her other piece “When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny” has been featured by celebrities including Ashton Kutcher. She currently has a book out featuring a collection of her poems titled Give Me a God I Can Relate To. Bythe is currently 19 years old as she hopes to continue to have success in her many fields of talent.
- Sabrina Benaim
“Mom, my depression is a shapeshifter One day it’s as small as a firefly in the palm of a bear The next it’s the bear On those days I play dead until the bear leaves me alone. I call the bad days “the Dark Days”. Mom says try lighting candles. But when I see a candle I see the flicker of a flame. Sparks of a memory younger than noon I am standing beside her open casket. It is the moment that I learn everyone I will ever come to know will someday die Besides Mom, I’m not afraid of the dark, perhaps that’s part of the problem Mom says I thought the problem was that you can’t get out of bed. I can’t, anxiety holds me a hostage inside of my house inside of my head. Mom says where did anxiety come from Anxiety is the cousin visiting from out of town that depression felt obligated to invite to the party Mom, I am the party, only I’m a party I don’t want to be at.” -Sabrina Benaim
A poet with over 300,000,000 views takes on poetry slam competitions, as she knows she is an artist. Sabrina Benaim holds the title of national champion at a slam poetry team in 2014.As well as writing, Sabrina enjoys dancing, reading and performing. She has recently has gotten married. Her website is full of powerful photography as well earning her the spot of number nine on the list.
- Alex Dang
“I still remember thinking my skin was what I was worth.” -Alex Dang
Alex Dang is a slam poem author that talks about his life experiences with dealing with racism and other modern day problems. Alex is from Portland, Oregon as he recently went to his old middle school to perform after being recognised for all of his successes. He was the youngest poet to represent his state at the age of 17. Alex also was apart of a poetry team for three consecutive years. Even though he had issues he did not dwell on them but grasped them and turned them into something beautiful.
- Sarah Kay
“Life will hit you hard in the face, wait for you to get back up just so it can kick you in the stomach. But getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.” – Sarah Kay
As well as being a poet, Sarah Kay is the co-director of V.O.I.C.E which is a foundation that promotes works of art to be presented and shared. She has been featured in the popular youtube channel ‘Button Poetry’ as well as mentioned by many well known authors. Sarah won many awards in her slam poetry competitions for her piece “If I should have a daughter.”
- Shane Koyczan
“We so seldom understand each other. But if understanding is neither here nor there, and the universe is infinite, then understand that no matter where we go we will always be smack dab in the middle of nowhere. All we can do is share some piece of ourselves, and hope that it’s remembered. Hope that we meant something to someone.” -Shane Koyczan
This Canadian spoken word artist deserves his place at number one. Shane is a 39 year old spoken word artist and poet who has become well known after his publications of his spoken word to youtube. Due to the serious feel to all of his topics many poetry lovers love Shane because he knows how to make people feel. As well as being a poet he has written over 5 books and has performed on many television shows as a guest star.
In conclusion,
Poetry has and will continue to be an art form in which artists use words to express intense emotions and ideas, however many poets have astounded the world these five in particular capture the true beauty of what words can do to people when arranged in a certain way.