PRENTICE POWELL
The Best Spoken Word Poetry Album category, a designation which debuted at the 2023 GRAMMY awards, continues to stir the poetry world with excitement. The new classification allows poets increased visibility, with the chance to have their work honored by the Recording Academy during “Music’s Biggest Night.”
Now, a second crop of lyrical powerhouses will receive their moment of recognition during the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 4th, 2024.
The six nominated poets for the 2024 ceremony are: Queen Sheba, Prentice Powell, Shawn William, Kevin Powell, J. Ivy and aja monet.
The Poet’s List is honored to present our interview with masterful poet and captivating spoken word performer: Prentice Powell.
On Poetry:
Prior to landing on poetry, what memories do you have of your relationship with literature and writing as a youth?
I was introduced to literature through Tommy Lindsey, my forensics speech and debate coach at James Logan High School. I was introduced to him the day I was released from juvenile hall. He handed me a ten-minute script and told me I was going to memorize it and learn how to channel my energy onto the stage. Shortly after my introduction to theater, I began to have a lot of success competitively on a state and national level. I didn’t realize it then, but that’s definitely when I fell in love with words and the power of writing.
There are so many layers to creating poetry, and several avenues for disseminating. Which aspect of the process excites you the most?
It’s definitely the preparation and performing on stage that excites me most. I am obsessed with my craft. Some poems are more exciting than others, depending on my intent. I enjoy the details of it all.
The beauty of being a spoken word artist is that I can practice anytime, anywhere. There’s always somewhere I can improve. I enjoy the feeling that comes along with late nights that consist of practicing the same poem ten times, five different ways. Or writing for a few hours when everyone else is asleep.
I remain in constant competition with myself in regard to my poetry. It keeps me hungry and motivated. I enjoy figuring out the best way to deliver a single thought while challenging myself to use different styles within my writing. I am in absolute love with the preparation and process of it all.
On Career:
When did you begin to claim the title of poet and how did you first connect with the poetry community?
I was introduced to spoken word poetry through a cousin of mine by the name of Tyson Amir. He came to the local library and shared a poem that was really impressive. And me being the little cousin I have always been – through trying to emulate him – went home and immediately wrote a poem myself.
My introduction to the poetry community began few weeks after writing that poem. My mother invited me to a place called the Black Box. It was a small room with black walls. That’s where the Oakland Poetry Slam was being held. What I didn’t know is that she signed me up without telling me.
When they called my name, I reluctantly went on stage and performed the poem I had written and, surprisingly, did well. The coach at the time – Sonia Whittle – asked me to come back the next four weeks to compete for a spot on the slam team. I told her I didn’t have any more poems and she jokingly suggested that I write a new one each week. And that’s exactly what I did. And I made the team.
Three months later, we placed 4th in the nation as a team and I placed in the top 15 individually at the national poetry slam competition. All within 6 months of writing my first poem.
That’s when I began to label myself as a poet.
Just to name a few of your poetic accomplishments: You have graced international stages, toured with Jill Scott, and have blessed us with numerous TV performances – some of which have gone viral (ie. “Good Father” and “The System”). At the inception of your career, did you envision this level of success?
When my career began, I was a young guy who needed an outlet and had something to say. I wasn’t pursuing poetry as a career. Poetry has always served as my therapy. I know I’d be doing exactly what I am doing now if I hadn’t achieved the success that I have. I love it that much.
I didn’t start to envision the success until I decided to take my craft seriously as a profession. Prior to that, it all felt like a bonus that came with me doing something I really enjoy. Something therapeutic for myself. But once I quit teaching and jumped into poetry full time, I began to envision this level of success in effort to manifest it into reality. Anything is possible if you can envision it.
You are several seasons into your podcast, All Black Men Need Therapy! For those who are unfamiliar, can you explain its origin and what listeners can expect when tuning in?
You can expect honesty and vulnerability from three friends. All Black Men Need Therapy is a podcast started by my two friends Bell & Chief. I came onto the team about a year after its inception. We are normalizing the concept of improving our mental health as black men through dialogue with each other about our daily lives and the challenges we face as black men. We often have black therapists on the show as well.
I’m an extremely vulnerable person and the podcast has truly served a huge benefit to my own mental and emotional well-being. Obviously, I’m bias, but it’s definitely worth several listens.
Of your body of work, which piece or collection would you like to serve as your *introduction* for the generations to come?
“The System.” Hands down “The System.” I love that poem so much.
We would love to hear more about, For Your Consideration ’24. Please feel free to share as much as you’d like with regards to its creation, its reception and what it means to you. Please also share any available links.
FYC ’24 is truly a manifestation project. When I heard [that] the Recording Academy was opening a category for spoken word poetry, I immediately knew I wanted to compete for that honor.
As you can hear throughout the album, we purposefully created FYC ’24 for the 66th Grammys over 16 months prior. We began our campaign the day after the 65th Grammys. We wanted the album to represent hard work and a passion for our art form, while remaining authentic to who we are as individuals. And I believe we’ve achieved that.
Beyond the authenticity that Shawn and I provide through our 59-minute live set, it is a pure and very honest album from the perspective of: two black men, fathers, friends (for over 20 years), and artists from Oakland, California.
It’s an album that I take huge pride in creating as part of my legacy and contribution to spoken word poetry as an art form. I’m thankful for the energy that was created with a microphone, poems and the people in attendance.
I have been absolutely humbled by the amount of love and appreciation that has been shown in response to the album. For Your Consideration ’24 represents so much more than me and Shawn. We are grateful to everybody who has taken the time to listen.
For me, that’s all I want. I want people to listen.
When it comes to FYC’24 collaborator—poet, Shawn William—what can you say about his creativity, his current legacy, and your friendship?
I’ve known Shawn for over 20 years. He was present when I did my first poem. His guidance at an early stage in my career really prepared me for the work ethic that I’d need in order to be successful in a craft that still has much more room for mainstream exposure.
Shawn has always been a mentor to me in this poetry game. He has always struck me as the silent assassin in spoken word poetry. I feel like his work and accomplishments deserve far more recognition than they’ve received, and I’m happy to see him get more of the respect and acknowledgement he deserves.
In what ways would you like to see the poetry community grow and evolve in the coming years?
I’m a firm believer that elevation requires evolution. We need more poets emerging into the business of being a spoken word artist. I think it’s important to showcase our art form in non-traditional poetry spaces, which is why I felt it so necessary to take advantage of an opportunity as prestigious as The Grammys.
Awards + Advice:
We find that many poets struggle with the space between creating and healing. How do you manage to produce quality poetry about topics you’ve already healed from? Or do you tend to keep your work true to your present perspective of the situation?
I’m the type of person that needs to release my thoughts and feelings. Holding things inside doesn’t work well for me. Writing in the moment allows me to release and transfer that energy onto paper. I love the organic connection from pen to paper. It also allows me to heal; because now that poem serves as a journal entry for me. An entry that I can leave in the past and/or revisit if I choose to.
I’m big on making sure [that] I’m not exploiting my pain for the sake of creating art. There’s no growth in that for me. And it doesn’t seem… kind, to me. Nor does it lead to my ultimate happiness.
The key is knowing the difference between being able to articulate your pain, and knowing when you are healed from it. Having a way with words while being a poet can be tricky. The applause can serve as a band-aid that we become addicted to. It helps us believe we are fully healed when we aren’t. Sometimes we forget there’s work to do beyond the poem. The art will always be quality if it’s done with sincerity.
What does it mean to be honored by The Recording Academy as part of the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album category at this year’s GRAMMY Awards?
Being nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album has been something I’m still trying to digest to be honest. Outside of winning, it doesn’t get any better! It’s truly a lifetime achievement award. Being nominated has served as the best validation of the hard work Shawn and I have put in for 20 years of writing poetry. Its reconfirmation that I’m headed [in] the right direction as an artist and a person.
How would you describe your fellow cohort of nominated poets?
I really appreciate the variety of poets nominated this year. They’re all good people beyond the poems. None of us sound the same. They all offer a different voice and style that I find refreshing to listen to. I think they’re polished artists on the poetry stage who have been prominent figures within our craft for various reasons. I’d definitely say they are all artists worth recognition [on] this level.
What has been the greatest piece of advice you’ve received thus far (poetry related or other)?
Live in love. Love yourself. Forgive yourself. Heal.
Please tune into the 66th annual Grammy Awards which will air live on February 4, 2024 on CBS. The winner for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album will be announced during the pre-telecast.
Links:
Twitter: @FollowPrentice
Instagram: @PrenticePowell1906
Podcast: All Black Men Need Therapy
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the featured artists (ie. poets, authors, writers and experts) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Poet’s List LLC. Any content provided by the artists are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything. Legal
