“Spoken word is a form of literary art or artistic performance in which lyrics, poetry, or stories are spoken rather than sung. Spoken word is often done with a musical background, but the emphasis is kept on the speaker.”

Directed by Bob Bryan, GV7 Random Urban Static: The Iridescent Equations of Spoken Word is the 7th installment of a documentary DVD series about the spoken word poets who live for and love the word. The truth of the word defines their very character. And the power in the word is considered a gift from God.

To call it rap music would be a shame running 8 mile long. You can say spoken word is like rap music but without the corporate and media bling-bling. The music comes from the heart and soul of the performer – grounded in reality and the spirituality. The sources of its rhythm can be found in different cultures, sexuality, and religion (sometimes even the imaginary). Spoken word has been around since the troubadours performed during the Middle Ages and then famously revived by the Beat Generation. It is a sacred art form. Focused in the act of listening to the sights and sounds around them, these creative wordsmiths are fresh and in your face.

They may not look hip hop but they live hip hop. They are the slam poets, or performance artists. They are just simply the storytellers of our time skilled in capturing our attention in the digital revolution.

There is a rhyme to the reason from these artists that includes… The Lindz, Mollie Angelheart, Vejea Jennings, J. Walker, Eric Haber, Sekou (tha misfit), Nicholas Lopez, Natalie Patterson, Jessica Healy, Bridget Gray, Tim’m T. West, Rachel Kann, GaKnew Roxwel, Poetri, Hunter Lee Hughes, and Common Ground.

Some of the outstanding performances include pieces such as:

Seventh Grade Girl by Sekou (tha misfit) – A junior high crush is told as an analogy to Sekou’s infatuation with a woman. He is hilariously interrupted by his annoying mother on the phone during the climatic moments of his story. The best part is when he describes his kiss to the sound of the classic Miles Davis tune, So What. Pure improvised genius!

Krispy Kreme by Poetri – A fictitious conspiracy theory about Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, formally called Krispy Kreme Kroissants (KKK), selling their addictive “glazed drugs” to African-Americans to control them. Funny stuff!

Zen by The Lindz – It’s an entertaining speech done in a bluesy, unplugged way.

With maybe a laptop as their only technological tool and quiet room of solitude, the poets secret weapon are their voices and their mission is to bring out the poetic justice that will challenge our very being.

Word!

For more information about Graffiti Verite and its DVD series, please visit www.graffitiverite.com.