If you know NY poetry, then you know Spoken Word Artist Ibrahim “P.O.E.T” Siddiq. A poet by name and by stature. This young man has a reach that expands far beyond his wing span. The message that follows behind his poetry is not only to enlighten the minds of his fellow human beings. But to also help those who think they know history, learn the TRUTH about HIStory and why it is told the way that it is.

After meeting POET at an open mic in BK, I was determined to sit down with him and find out why he speaks so passionately about political views, religion and not being a “slave reversed.” Read the article and get to know the real P.O.E.T. A poet with a lot on his mind and all the time in the world to share it with whomever will listen. And we are definitely listening. – Spoken Word New York

SWNY – POET, what exactly do you do and how did you get started?

POET – I do a lot, but as far as the arts are concerned I’d say I was a poet first because that’s what I started out doing. I started writing poetry when I was 15 years old. My father had just passed away and I was sitting in my room just thinking about his death, or more so death in general as well as life and just certain questions I had so I started to write them out on a pad and it turned into a poem. From the time I was 15 until about the age of 19 or so I had only written a handful of poems and the only person that had ever really read them for was my mother. One day she called me down to a coffee house she attended frequently and they were having a poetry reading and she asked me if I wanted to read something. I told her that I didn’t bring any of my poems with me (because I didn’t really want to read lol) and she bends down and picks up a handful of my poems and basically pushed me up on the stage to read. I was received really well.

SWNY – When did you know you wanted to become a Spoken Word artist?

POET – After I performed my first time at the coffee house someone had mentioned a spot I should check out called the NuyoRican Poets Cafe.

At that time I was still living in Peekskill, NY which is in Westchester County. A few of my friends and I hopped in the car and drove down to the Nuyo to check it out. Before then I knew nothing about Spoken Word. I’d never seen anyone perform it nor had I even heard of it. But as I saw the performers on stage, I thought to myself “This is something I could do”. I went home and wrote my first spoken word piece and I went back to the NuyoRican and performed it.

SWNY – And how well did you do?

POET – It went very well. I was surprised.

SWNY – What/Who inspired you to become an artist…your influences?

POET – Becoming an artist was really accidental and I just ran with it. It started with poetry and since then I’ve expanded to other aspects of art. As far as my influences, hopefully not too clichéd or corny but life is my greatest influence. Life is my muse… the uncertainty within it excites me.

SWNY – Not corny at all.  Can you describe what Spoken Word Poetry is to you?

POET – In my opinion, there’s two general categories of poets. You have page poets and stage poets. A page poet is an individual who writes primarily for others to read their work. A stage poet, or spoken word poet, is more performance based. Individuals who write to get on that stage and act out a piece. I, myself, am inclined towards performance poetry because, in my opinion, you evoke more emotion though performing your work than having others read it.

SWNY – Who’s doing what you are doing?

POET- Truthfully, there are a lot of individuals that are doing what I am doing. All I’m doing is learning, teaching, creating art and having fun. I may be doing it a little different than most and have a slightly different way of implementing certain things, but I think a lot of us out there have a common goal – which is to promote knowledge of self as well as the world around us.

SWNY – I agree, you all share the same goal in the end. But as a Spoken Word artist, what makes you so different from the rest?

POET – What sets me aside from the rest, I think would be a question someone on the outside looking in would have to answer. But if I had to say something… maybe my versatility. Whether it be my ability to relate to different demographics; being able to look at an issue from another individuals perspective; or even me being an activist rooted in poetry rather than just an artist or entertainer.

SWNY – You have your 2nd album coming out soon. I listened to your 1st one, “Spoken World” and fell in love with track 7, “If I Was A Poet” ft/ Karast.” That piece makes me think about how my words can affect others and how important it is to choose them wisely. I also really like “Voicemail Pt 1“. That piece plays with my heart strings a bit. Looking forward to part 2. (LOL)

Can you tell us more about that CD and your upcoming CD?

POET – My debut album was entitled “Spoken World” which was released in February 2009. It was pretty much just my introduction to the art world. I was figuring out what I wanted to do with it and where I was going. Since then I have grown tremendously as an artist and I am currently working on my 2nd album “Nerd at the Cool Table“. The message behind the title is: stand out, be comfortable with who you are and never compromise who you are to fit in with the crowd. My 1st album was a spoken word album, but “Nerd at the Cool Table” can’t really be classified as a specific genre. I’ve got poetry. I’m writing music. I’m working with artists of all different genres from Jazz to Reggae, Hip Hop to Alternative. I’ve even got some Opera type stuff on there. This is definitely a project that I am excited about!

SWNY – Other than your upcoming CD, what projects are you working on…what are your future   plans?

POET – I have many projects that I am working on currently. A couple of them that are at the forefront are my album “Nerd At The Cool Table“, a book of poetry and illustrations entitled “Freedumb.” My novel which is the 1st in a series entitled “50 Cents Away From A Quarter.” As well as a clothing line that a partner and I are working on called “Pegao“, which is aimed at informing and teaching the general public about different issues. It will be done in a way very similar to my poetry, but instead of doing it through art, we’re going to be doing it through fashion.

As for my plans for the future I’m working to get my company off the ground 3rd Family Inc. - which includes an entertainment company, a publishing company and a film company. I have a few artists that are with the company that will be coming out with projects of their own pretty soon.

SWNY – So with all of this going on, how can people see you LIVE and view more of your work?

POET – Anyone looking to see me live can easily join my mailing list by sending me an email at FreedumbMovement@Gmail.com and they can be updated on upcoming shows and projects. Anyone looking to view my work online can add me on Facebook using my email or just visiting www.facebook.com/FreedumbMovement as well as my YouTube page: www.youtube.com/SpokenWorldTV

SWNY – One last question before I let you go. Since you use Spoken Word as your way of reaching out to the people – if you could only teach us one thing, what would that be?

POET – If I had one thing to teach the world it would be for every individual to realize their potential. I would want them to understand that even a pawn in chess can eventually become one of the most powerful pieces on that board.

Never give up, People…follow your dreams…make them into visions!

Let us know what you thought of the interview. Post your questions and comments and let POET know your thoughts. Feedback is very important to all artists.

Tags | Ibrahim POET Siddiq, Spoken Word Artist