Spoken word poetry is one of the most primal forms of language and literature that exists. Since it is oratory in nature, the listener focuses on its raw emotion and heightened language.
Today, spoken word is used most frequently for advocating a cause. From mental illness to local political issues, these artists speak up about personal problems that everyone else should be concerned about.
1. Sabrina Benaim.
YouTube
Benaim is most famous for her poem, "Explaining Depression to My Mother." In this piece, she illustrates through fiery language a conversation between she and her mother about the pain of being depressed. This poem initiates a much-needed conversation about mental illness and what exactly it is. Benaim's book, "Depression and Other Tricks", is out now.
2. Rudy Francisco.
YouTube
Francisco is one of the first spoken word artists to perform on live television. His performance of "Complainers" was aired on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last March. Francisco enthralls the audience with his zest as he explains that our perspective of life determines its quality. His first full-length book, "Helium," is out now.
3. Rachel Wiley.
YouTube
Wiley's exuberant stage performance is what captivates the audience, not her appearance. Her performance of "10 Honest Thoughts On Being Loved By a Skinny Boy" really outdoes itself on revealing the issues of fat-shaming in today's society. Other poems by Wiley focus on this issue and racial identity as well. Her book, "Nothing is Okay," is out now.
4. Melissa Lozada-Oliva.
YouTube
Lozada-Oliva's presence on the stage is a tour de force. She is unafraid to be vulgar because, within that, there is a truth about life. Her performance of "Bitches" on Remezcla, a multimedia company for Latinos, is geared towards the unapologetic women in her life. She often peppers in her latinidad in her poems to make them really punch. Her book, "Peluda," is out now.
5. Olivia Gatwood.
YouTube
Gatwood's sharp language really opens the audience's eyes to a different perspective on womanhood. Her performance of "Ode to the Women on Long Island" really parades itself as iconic as she manages to integrate humor and morality to create something bigger than herself. Her book, "New American Best Friend", is out now.
6. Phil Kaye.
YouTube
Kaye's good-natured quality of performance suspends the audience's sense of disbelief so that we may follow the story of his words and lose ourselves in it. His performance of "Camaro" unwinds naturally and hits a poignant conclusion. His book, "Date & Time", will be released September 18th.
7. Neil Hilborn.
YouTube
Hilborn's presence on stage is full of passion. His performance of his poem, "OCD," has received over 14 million views online since 2013. His unabashed nature to disclose his struggles with mental illness allows the audience to really connect with Hilborn and his struggles. His books, "The Future" and "Our Numbered Days", are out now.
8. Jamie Mortara.
YouTube
Mortara's laidback presence on stage allows the audience to really focus on his spoken word poems. Their performance of "Some Things You Need To Know Before Dating Me" uses dry humor directed at themselves before confessing their struggles with medication and mental illness. Their poems also focus on their identity as a nonbinary queer. Their book, "Some Planet", is out now.
9. Edwin Bodney.
YouTube
Bodney differs from most of the spoken word artists in that his performances often soothe the audience. His performance of "When a Boy Tells You He Loves You" is like the lullaby of all poems about love and relationships. His book of poetry, "A Study of Hands", is out now.
10. Reagan Myers.
YouTube
Myers's candidness onstage, along with her spitfire speech, creates a dynamic special for the audience to experience. In her performance of "Depression is Funny Like That," her poem unrolls with the undulating expression of a hypnotizing depression.
11. Charles Hines.
YouTube
Hines has the ability to calm, to humor, and to enliven the audience with his performances. In his performance of "Ariana Grande Syndrome", he takes a different perspective of small people to show their huge impact on the world around us. He is an Orlando local, so if you live in the area, be sure to see him perform.
12. G. Yamazawa.
YouTube
Yamazawa comes alive on stage with his performances. In "Dear Grandma" and "10 Things You Should Know About Being an Asian from the South", he incorporates his heritage into both poems to show both love for his family and racial issues respectively. He currently makes music as a hip-hop artist.
13. Kevin Kantor.
YouTube
Kantor's vulnerability onstage really stuns the audience. In his performance of "People You May Know," they talk about the time they came across his rapist's Facebook page. The guttural and visceral impact of the poem is one that every assaulted person feels when they unexpectedly stumble into their perp. Kantor currently is involved in the Statera National Conference For Gender Equity in the Theatre.
14. Simba Castano.
YouTube
Castano is a local poet and teacher to Orlando, Florida. Her performances often show the issues in her community as well as her challenges in the Christian faith. She has a spoken word album, "War Cry for the Oppressed," which is out now.
Since spoken word poetry, or "slam" poetry, often has an activism side to it, it has been increasing over the years. There are still many more poets that deserve recognition, so I highly recommend that you just watch all slam poetry in general.