POETRY PAUSE: Harmless Observations With Jon Goode
Photo Credit: E. M. Pio Roda / CNN
Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Jon Goode is an acclaimed poet and writer. His portfolio includes CNN’s Black In America, HBO’s Def Poetry, BET’s Lyric Cafe, commercials and interstitials for TVLand/Nick @ Nite and radio commercials for McDonalds. He has also done print work for Nike and Rolling Out Urban Style Weekly. He has toured the country extensively with his work and received rave reviews from the litany of venues, festivals, colleges and universities he’s appeared at. He has shared the stage with: Mos Def, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Common, Jamie Foxx, Musiq Soul Child, Will Downing, Ledisi, The Last Poets, Amiri Baraka, and a host of other amazing poets, comedians and entertainers. Jon’s work strikes a balance between comedy and levity that will have you laughing hysterically one minute and reflecting deeply upon statements made the next. He has been described as being somewhere between Gil Scott Heron and Bill Cosby, which is rarefied air and a wonderful place to be.
This is one of his harmless observations…
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OUTMOR: Outkast-Morcheeba Mixtape Mash
Outkast
After years of listening to The Grey Album (Jay-Z & The Beatles), The Brown album (Jay-Z & Kev Brown), Jaydiohead (Jay-Z & Radiohead), American Thriller (Jay-Z & Michael Jackson), etc etc etc. I decided to put my turntables toward the task of honoring arguably the greatest duo in hip hop history, Outkast, with a mixtape/mash worthy of their status; but who to blend them with was the question.
Morcheeba
One night while revisiting Morcheeba’s albums Charango and Who Can You Trust? I decided it would be amazing and well worth the effort to merge the music and vocals of the two giants. [OUTMOR] is the result of that effort. [OUTMOR] pushes the music in different and interesting directions and hopes to give fans of both Outkast and Morcheeba, and people unfamiliar with either something to chill out, nod their heads and speed on the highway to.
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As always the mix is free but if you want to donate to the cause the only thing I turn down is my collar. You can donate at http://www.paypal.com under skipowit@aol.com 😉 No amount is too small. Cheers.
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The link to listen to or download the mix is:
http://www.4shared.com/audio/gYUkQQsF/01_Outmor_mix_complete.html
Get hip to some real knowledge. Check out more from Jon Goode here.
Spoken Word & Music Fanatics: Verbal Slick “Live” Is The Place To Be
Verbal Slick Creator and Host Spinxx
On Friday night I got the opportunity to check out a really cool event called Verbal Slick “Live”. Verbal Slick is the brain child of Spinxx, who not only created the concept, but hosts the show as well. He is also a great spoken word artist. The concept of Verbal Slick is that of a variety show, but there is always a main feature. Spinxx handpicks prominent and local comedians, poets, hip-hop artists and pop/neo soul singers to bless the mic. Verbal Slick is more than a show; it is a movement to bring quality entertainment back to Atlanta.
I had a great time at the show especially when my favorite poets, Cola Rum and Jon Goode, hit
Jon Goode
the stage. I also laughed out of my seat when comedian Corwin O performed. He was so funny and I absolutely loved his impromptu comedic style. Not many comedians can do that.
But the main feature, Ms. Julie Dexter, was simply amazing. She is from Birmingham, England but now lives right here in Atlanta. Her style of music is jazzy with hints of funk looped throughout her main sound. Julie’s music is like magic, and she is super talented. Before the show, we had a little chat (watch the video below) and I noticed that her aura was so peaceful. Ms. Dexter is not only a wonderful singer; she is also a beautiful spirit. We had a great interview and she even gave me an autographed CD. 🙂 You should check her at www.juliedexter.com. Purchase her CD, New Again. You will not be disappointed.
AOM's T. Monet and Rita, Owner of Soo Soo Tasty
Also, what I love about Verbal Slick is that Spinxx always has great vendors at his shows. And at Friday night’s show, I met this amazing lady named Rita who has a cake/cupcake business, called Soo Soo Tasty. She has some equally amazing cupcakes such as the lemon pound cake, Velvet Red made with Italian wine and my favorite, the Soo Soo Rita. Rita says the Soo Soo Rita cupcake is her version of a Margarita drink, but in the form of a cupcake. It is made with real tequila, and it is yummy! Check her out at www.soosootasty.com.
I highly recommend Verbal Slick for a girl’s night out, a date night, or if you just want to chill and see a good show. You can get everything you need here: food, desserts, entertainment, great people and good vibes! For more information on the next event, you can friend Verbal Slick on Facebook! Also, check out my backstage interview with Julie Dexter below.
Poet Cola Rum and T. Monet
Now, go live your life and meet some new people! This city is filled with wonderful events…all you need to do is show up! Follow me on twitter @tmonet and @aspireonline! View more photos here.
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-T. Monet is Special Correspondent for AOM and The “HIGH UP”
Verbal Slick…Not Your Average Poetry Slam
So I walked up to this building that resembles a historic church and I asked the greeters waiting outside if the landmark I am standing in front is Blue Mark Studios. They both chimed in “Yes it is!” and directed me to the double doors. I hastily climbed the stairs and once inside it felt as though I had literally stepped into another world. The lighting was hypnotic and created the perfect atmosphere for what was about to take place. I saw T-shirts and gift bags bearing the logo of one of the most talked about events in Atlanta. 9:15pm…showtime! Spinxx takes to the stage after his band opens with a selection of familiar tunes. The audience was entranced as each artist belted out pop and neo style songs while the comedians had the guests crying with laughter. I didn’t know the people sitting on either side of me but we were all in agreement that the entertainment was on point. The spoken word artists showed no mercy as they covered every social topic from race to sexuality to growing up in the hood.
It was a beautiful sight to behold – so much talent under one roof. The downstairs portion of the venue crawled with guests who took a few minutes to shop with vendors and couples who posed for their photo. There was this amazing energy that if you happened to be a first timer, made you wonder why you hadn’t known about this regal affair before. The entire evening and its success is credited to Spinxx¸ a well respected spoken word artist and creator of Verbal Slick. The showcase has been an Atlanta craze for over ten years and is expected to become one of the largest events in the south. Read more about the man behind this “Lyrical Phenomenom” in our AOM Exclusive!
-N. Renee
The "HIGH UP" 