People who inspire you

[L Oquence]

Yes, rap is poetry -- but, as you point out, it's not always good poetry

Meter, rhyme and the oral tradition are still well and truly alive. It's just a shame they're most commonly degraded to popping caps in various asses and so forth. The Romans, Martial especially, were masters of the poetic smackdown (although Byron was definitely no slouch in that regard). Rap, hiphop and spoken word would all be greatly improved if only the artists would learn the basics of what they're trying to do -- natural ability and a good ear are great starting points, but technique always improves when you understand the skills you're using (or trying to use) instinctively.

You know that a music/spoken word artist is a true poet when you can take away the performance element and the words still come alive.

I'm trying to go both ways, I've learned more about musical elements the past few years. And I want to learn as much as I can about poetry now, I want to really try and create a synthesis of the written and oral with my work.

But yes, there are a few artist that honestly just reading their words I get so wowed. No one got nothin' on my boy Shakespeare though.