Celebrating World Poetry Day with Spoken Word Poet, Antonio Charles
by Lou-Ann Jordan Mar 19, 2019
The art of poetry has a long history. Like language, it exists in the earliest civilisations. Actually, poetry is language: carefully chosen language. The only difference is that poetry involves arranging words with meaning, rhythm and sound in mind.
According to Britannica Encyclopaedia, this ancient art form was used to record cultural events and tell stories. This use hasn’t changed much. Today, poetry is still used as an emotional outlet. Poets admire personalities, adulate scenery, berate society and divulge personal travesties. Indeed, poetry as part of an art form invites an audience into a very personal experience.
Annually, World Poetry Day is celebrated on 21 March to encourage support of the oral traditions of poetry recitals and help support linguistic diversity through poetry.
Among the various types of poetry, spoken word is prevalent. Spoken word is a more relaxed medium. Contemporary spoken word origins are rooted in the Harlem Renaissance, blues and Beat period. Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas is credited as first having brought the art form to America in the early 1950s. However, the movement gained popularity later in the period. In the 1960s a group of American poets, The Last Poets initiated modern spoken word poetry.
Spoken word is a performance with language and movement colliding. The poet expertly links sounds, words, phrases and gestures for dramatic effect.
In celebration of World Poetry Day Yello met with spoken word poet Antonio Charles. Not only does the poet talk about his views on the art form, but he also shares one of his pieces.
Do you use a moniker when doing spoken word, if yes what is it?
I prefer Groovy Tony. The name came about because one of my favourite genres is the rare groove, which dates between 1960s-1980s. Also, my first name is Antonio, and Tony is a nickname.
What prompted you to begin writing poetry?
Two things: the high school I attended, GBSS, encouraged poetry writing. The school held numerous poetry competitions between students. Also, I grew up listening to rap and hip-hop—so that influenced me significantly.
How long have you been involved in performance poetry?
My involvement in performance poetry happened very strangely. It was a bit random. I was in my first year at college when I learned of City Jazz. This event showcased poets and musicians. It was a recurring show held at the national museum. While at the show, watching the performances I felt the urge to perform. So I did my poem. That was in 2015. I’ve been doing it ever since.
Why was spoken word the style you choose to express your poems?
Poetry is an art form, and spoken word is an evolution of this form. With spoken word, as opposed to traditional poetry, my pieces are no longer trapped in black and white structures. Instead, there is fluidity. The words and rhythms can now echo and course through my audience’s minds.
How do you begin your poems, with an idea or an image?
With a feeling! It hits me like a vibe. I go into a trance and—this may sound strange—a voice, my inner voice speaks to me. I try my best to remember and record the conversation. Once I see what I’ve written down, I then get ideas for the title. The title is often based on the theme of what I wrote. And, this is the process no matter how little I have written, whether two lines or a full stanza. Then, I work to maintain that specific vibe or tone for the subsequent verses.
What are your ideal writing conditions or spot?
Anywhere really, once I have my phone. I have a notepad app on my phone; it’s ideal for recording a poem. Also, I’m adventurous. I do much hiking and enjoy going swimming. Any of these activities stimulate new experiences or helps me recall past ones; both prompts my creativity.
Who is your favourite poet?
I’m not sure if I can call him a poet, but since it’s all an expression of the soul—Kendrick Lamar. While I do read Homer, Edgar Allan Poe, but I find their writing styles antiquated.
In your view what is the significant difference between spoken word and traditional poetry?
The most significant difference would be its soulfulness. There are limits to the conventional poetic form. I think for traditional poems, the audience needs to be very imaginative to understand what a poet writes, the tone and the experience shared. In contrast, with spoken word poetry, the mood is evident; the audience feels the artist’s soul. Additionally, as the current generation is more inclined to pick up a video game than a book, the fact that spoken word paints an image in the audience’s mind allows it to maintain its relevance.
Where should you go to view a performance of spoken word?
City Jazz. It’s an event every second Friday in the month at the Grenada National Museum. Also, there is the annual poetry show, Voices. This year it will be held at 6 pm, June 29 at the Grenada Trade Centre.
In what ways is poetry important to Grenadian society?
Poetry is essential for cultural retention. Rhyme and rhythm are important elements of Grenadian linguistic culture. Soca and calypso are examples of the use of these devices; both are rhythmic expressions of the way we play with language and storytelling. Sadly though, the quality of calypso is deteriorating. A few close friends and I want to rectify this. We want to evolve calypso using spoken word. That way we can continue the tradition of storytelling. In this new form, we can relate cultural habits, social issues and life stories. We will do it in a way the world can enjoy.
Salvation by Antonio “Groovy Tony” Charles
We assess this country’s secrets
A gift from my family upbringing
Social bickering
We’ve grown swell headed throughout the years
Hope is a dream, but still our salvation
So we have to pay the banks to earn a wage?
False dreams is all our leaders give
Hope is a dream, but still our Salvation
Will lead to victories for this nation