Bonafide Rojas is a poet, musician, and proud Nuyorican Bronx native. Bonafide is the author of four collections of poetry, including Pelo Bueno: A Day in the Life of a Nuyorican Poet, When the City Sleeps, Renovatio, and Notes on the Return to the Island, and most recently, Excelsior: New & Collected Poems. 

A former slam champion and Def Poetry Jam performer and lead guitarist of the rock group Mona Passage, Bonafide walks us through his journey and artistic evolution in writing and music, some hot takes on the early days of Hip Hop and where we’re at today, his vision for the future of Nuyorican poetry, and so much more.

Moments:

1:38 Bonafide talks growing up in the Bronx and early influences

5:45 Wu-Tang and the evolution of Hip Hop

13:10 What it is to be Nuyorican

24:55 Music vs. poetry and overcoming imposter syndrome

32:05 His new book Excelsior, and publishing books over the years

40:10 performing live on some legendary stages

49:45 advice for emerging musicians, poets, and performers

53:51 some of Bonafide’s favorite things

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