Poet Up

In this episode we talk with Cocoa Flo about her non-profit (4:10) dads stealing toothpaste (10:10) the legend of Fizz (11:45) the importance of mentoring (13:58) W.A.P. (26:48) doing poems in church (32:24) Mall Chi hating to lose (47:35) and of course, we freestyle terribly(85:55)

Cocoa Info: Jasmine “Cocoa Flo” Swanagan is an intelligent, unapologetic, and enlightened poetic voice, hailing from the small city of Owensboro, KY. Her small town roots mingled with her experience as a corporate professional lend themselves to make up her unique and incredible style. Lyrically, she is a roaring lioness when she serves due notice to patriarchy, body shaming, and colorism. Her ultimate goal is to empower audiences to think, act, and heal through her transparency and blatant truths. In alignment with her life vision, Cocoa is currently in the process of incorporating a nonprofit organization that supports and empowers black women in postsecondary education through mentorship. Cocoa Flo ranked 11th in the 2019 Individual World Poetry Slam, is a 2x Southern Fried Indie Finalist, as well as a Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam Indie Finalist.

Twitter/IG: thecocoaflo  FB: Cocoa Flo

Freestyle Beat: "Life"  by Mall Chi 

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Facebook: @PoetUpPodcast

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode we chat with Rock Hill poet laureate Angelo Geter. We talk about writing through grief (6:00) Angelo's imaginary Lawyer TV show (23:50) how Angelo became poet laureate (25:10) Angelo's R&B aspirations (53:00) and if Brandon Leake (America's Got Talent) has opened doors for spoken word poets (1:03:04) and of course we freestyle terribly. Come on and Poet Up with us.

Angelo Geter Info:

Angelo ‘Eyeambic’ Geter is a dynamic poet, spoken word artist and motivational speaker who merges his passions for poetry and speaking into a unique performance that educates, entertains and inspires.  He currently serves as the Poet Laureate of Rock Hill, SC where he advocates for poetry through civic engagement  and community outreach.  He is also a 2019 All-America city winner,  2018 National Poetry Slam champion,  Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam finalist, Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam finalist and has performed and competed in several venues across the country. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for The Watering Hole poetry organization.

IG and Twitter info: @eyeambic

Freestyle Beat: "Propane" Used with permission by Steven Carter Follow him on Twitter and IG @scarterway

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Facebook: @PoetUpPodcast

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode we talk entanglements, Kanye and new projects. Jay Ward talks his talk while Bluz and Mall Chi drink Blue Moon. And as always we freestyle. 

Freestyle Beat: "Skyline" by Twint4k 

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Facebook: @PoetUpPodcast

Email us at [email protected]

Ever wonder what doesn't make our interviews? Here is some extra content from our interview with Jordan Bailey.

Jordan Bailey Info: Follow Jordan on IG @Jordan_with_da_poems Facebook: Jordan Bailey

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Facebook: @PoetUpPodcast

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode we talk with Jordan Bailey about being a student of poetry. What it's like to have Terry Creech kill your poetic dreams (lol) battle rap and wrestling. And as always we freestyle terribly. 

Jordan Bailey Info: Follow Jordan on IG @Jordan_with_da_poems Facebook: Jordan Bailey

Freestyle Beat: "Catfish Voodoo" by Timmy Probably Follow him on IG @timmyprobably

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Facebook: @PoetUpPodcast

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode we talk with Charlotte artist and owner of BLK MRKT CLT DAMMIT Wesley. We discuss the Black Lives Matter mural in uptown Charlotte and it's significance. We discuss how creatives can deal with educators who don't understand their work. We get blackity black in this episode. 

DAMMIT Wesley Info:

DAMMIT WESLEY is a dynamic multi-disciplinary artist who uses his work and platform to provide context and commentary on the black experience through the lens of pop culture. He has played a very active role in the southeast arts community for the past decade as the Founder and Director of BLK MRKT CLT, developing monthly minority based art exhibitions and showcases, instructing hip hop-themed figure painting classes, and working as a teaching artist for local institutions. Dammit Wesley holds a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts & Graphic Design from Winthrop University.

IG and Twitter: @dammit_wesley

BLK MRKT: Address: 1824 Statesville Ave, Charlotte, NC 28206

Freestyle Beat: "Pianoman" Used with permission by Steven Carter Follow him on Twitter and IG @scarterway

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Facebook: @PoetUpPodcast

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode we talk with public speaker, organizer, educator, poet, spoken word artist, songwriter, emcee and alumni of the Nasir Jones Fellowship with the Hip Hop Archive at Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African & African American Research. Dasan makes fun of the intro music, we discuss what it means to level up, Dasan tells a story about being tall shamed. We take a trip back into time to Miami and of course we freestyle terribly.

Dasan Ahanu Information:

Christopher Massenburg, better known as Dasan Ahanu, is a public speaker, organizer, curator, educator, poet, spoken word artist, songwriter, and emcee, and loyal Hip Hop head born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is co-founder and managing director of Black Poetry Theatre, a Durham based theatre company that creates and produces original poetry and spoken word based productions. As an active participant in poetry slam, Dasan has competed regionally and nationally as a founding member and coach of Durham, NC’s own Bull City Slam Team. In 2010 and 2014, Ahanu led the Bull City Slam Team in winning the Southern Fried Southeastern Regional Poetry Slam, the largest regional poetry slam in the country. He also led the team to a 3rd place finish at the 2010 National Poetry Slam and a 2nd place finish in Group Piece Finals at the 2012 National Poetry Slam.

For more information on Dasan go to dasanahanu.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @dasanahanu

Freestyle Beat: Used courtesy of DJ DR. Follow him on Twitter and IG @themightydjdr

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Facebook: @PoetUpPodcast

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode we talk with Mason Parker about an artist's grind(2:40), how artist can level up their craft (5:05) and what the grind is worth (10:42). We talk a little snitch culture (13:00) use metaphors (15:25) and talk about how Dare Devil influenced Mason to keep grinding (35:20). And as always, we freestyle (68:00)

Mason Parker Info:

Mason Parker is a modern day renaissance man. The poster child for versatility, Mason is a lyrical genius, displaying his creative prowess as a lyricist, spoken word artist and writer. While his start is deeply rooted in southern hip hop, his buzz around the country continues to grow. Every lyric, every word, every ebb and flow of his unique delivery is soulfully honest, rich with pain, victory, self-realization and truth. 

Stream his latest album Quantum Leap available on all streaming platforms and his website.

Website: www.iammasonparker.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6qIfI5slOofyWz8U7TAPLG

Freestyle Beat: "Fly Girls" Used with permission by Steven Carter Follow him on Twitter and IG @scarterway

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Facebook: @PoetUpPodcast

Email us at [email protected]

Today we talk about how the pandemic and resulting quarantine is affecting artists and how artists are in return providing virtual content and what future monetization of virtual content may look. Also, Jamaal gets chocolate wasted. 

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Facebook: @PoetUpPodcast

Email us at [email protected]

In this episode we speak with Terry Creech founder of Slam Charlotte and Executive Director of Breathe Ink Youth Poetry. We talk about what drew him to start slam in Charlotte, what led him to working with teenagers and how his drive is reflected in his weight loss journey. We find out how Terry got on Def Poetry (HBO) Terry and Bluz reminisce about Miami, Terry gets Mall Chi super motivated and Jay Ward has a few moving stories to share and we get into wrestling.

Terry Creech Info:

Facebook: @Terry Creech @Breathe Ink Charlotte

IG: @terrycreech95

Website: www.charlottepoetryslamleague.com

Terry Creech Lost Birds Def Poetry Video: https://youtu.be/6wm-U21Mgsg

Freestyle Beat: Used with permission by 24K and Mall Chi "Whatever It Is"

PoetUp Crew:

Twitter: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @MrBluz @jayward2030

IG: @PoetUpPodcast @mallchi @bluzbluzbluz @jward2030

Email us at [email protected]