Spoken+Word

=Spoken Word in Asian America=

*Note that the wikipedia entry on spoken word is cited in several places. Because of a lack of sources cited in that entry, other sources of information will be used to appropriately update the wikipedia citings. Also note that artist descriptions were taken directly from each artists' respective website. More critical views of each artist will be searched for and used to update descriptions.

What is Spoken Word?

Defining spoken word is a difficult task. To some, the term is very closely related to performance poetry. Other consider this art form to be much more. The writers at SpokenOak contend that spoken word has "no simple, singular definition" for spoken word. However, they write that "for the sake of scholarly study" and "federal arts funding", the following definition of spoken word is useful:

"A category of performance art to encompass any new seriously developed genre or traditional form that is primarily word-based & is not exclusively Music, Theatre or Dance but may include collaborations with other non-word-based art genres or works created in collaboration with artists from non-word-based disciplines."

Wikipedia also suggests that all spoken word contain "the common element ... protest and a critical or corrective tone." Answers.com differentiates between performance poetry and commentary of a political and social nature.

Origin of Spoken Word

Finding the history of spoken word is also a difficult task. According to spoken word's wikipedia entry, spoken word developed out of the poetry slams, or cabaret-style duels between poets, of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Why spoken word in an entry about music in Asian America?

Some would say that spoken word has nothing to do with music and should not be included in this wikipedia entry. However, as stated above, the definition of spoken word is very difficult to pin down. Also, some spoken word prominently features aspects of music performance, though this fact does not need to be emphasized in order to justify the inclusion of spoken word within the framework of music in Asian America. Rather the flexible and encompassing definition of spoken justifies its inclusion.

Asian Americans in Spoken Word

Several notable Asian Americans in spoken word perform. Many perform with a special emphasis on issues of race and culture in America. Below is a short list and description of notable Asian Americans involved with the art of spoken word.

Yellow Rage

Michelle and Catzie are a dynamic duo of Philly-based Asian American female spoken word poets. Through their voices, Catzie and Michelle hope to provide an awareness that is not often heard. Exploring topics from fetishes to cultural appropriation to ethnic pride, Yellow Rage challenges mainstream misconceptions of Asianness.

Giles Li

Giles Li is a spoken word performer based in Boston. He is affiliated with community groups both locally and nationally to work for social change. His experience and leadership within Asian American communities has led to his having been quoted as an expert on Asian American community issues in many publications, including the //Boston Globe//, //Boston Herald//, //Chicago Tribune//, //Baltimore Sun//, and //Oakland Tribune//. Most recently, he appears in the book //The Snake Dance of Asian American Activism: Community, Vision, and Power//. Kelly Tsai

Throughout her evolution as a writer, performer, filmmaker, and multidisciplinary hip hop theater artist, Kelly constantly strives to broaden the impact and reach of spoken word poetry in its efforts to transform political realities, revolutionize arts and entertainment, and empower audiences across the globe.

Sources //Long live giles li.// http://www.gilesli.com, 16 March 2009. //SpokenOak//. http://www.spokenoak.com, 16 March 2009. "Spoken-word", Answers.com. http://www.answers.com/topic/spoken-word, 16 March 2009. "Spoken Word", Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoken_word, 16 March 2009. //Yellow Rage//. http://www.yellowrage.com, 16 March 2009. //Yellowgurl.com : Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai.// http://www.yellowgurl.com/bio, 16 March 2009.