Music
Press
"The artists presented themselves as a collective, but there individual voices came through as well. Great stage presence- that really helped to support their words and message. I would like to see what else they come up with" – Althea Willette
"… it was amazing to see how much these poets gelled together to create an impactful and thought-provoking experience for the viewers. From topics of genocide and sexual violence, to political prisoners, they called to attention issues that impact the global community by telling their personal stories."-Rebecca McDonald, B FRESH Photography)
"We were really impressed by the ability of the writers, not just their passion, but their ability to get their ideas across" – Thom Waters
"The Poetic Assassins play was an ingenious combination of spoken word and theatre at its best. Their style was like no other; emotional, gritty, and suave to say the least. They opened my eyes by bearing their souls on these evils and for that I am truly grateful for what they had to offer. More plays are needed!!"- Tiffany Williams, The Art Institutes International Minnesota
"Poetic Assassins is a fresh and innovative approach to hip hop theater. The material and messages are fresh, immediate, brave, and worthy of staging." - e.g. bailey & Sha Cage
“Very good workshop, I’ve been to enough to know the good from the bad” The Loft workshop participant “
“I was really apprehensive about this, but I ended up really liking it and finding ways o express myself that I hadn’t considered before” The Loft workshop participant
“ I loved the exercises that we did. You guys did a fantastic job of teaching writing techniques while at the same time not being condescending” Exco participant
- NA
Discography
Sai Werd Ink Presents Poetic Assassins... EP(Winter 2008)
Inkpen Journals and Daily Struggles (Fall 2009)
Photos
Bio
"Born on a battlefield with only a pen and a voice” has become a mantra of sorts for the Poetic Assassins. Since their teaming up in 2007 BUGS and Verse have taken the twin cities by storm, producing their play "Eliminating Oppression One Ink Shell at a Time" twice (2008, 2009) and performing at a number of high profile shows and events including: Peace Jam, Minneapolis Celebration of Hip Hop, Standing on the Shoulders of Giants, Minnesota Urban Griot Awards, and Hip Hop Against Homophobia to name a few. They are quickly becoming staples on the Minneapolis and St. Paul scene. Coming from the Hip Hop tradition of community and consciousness mixed with complex rhymes and though provoking lyrics the Poetic Assassins have put together one of the most dynamic sets around, drawing on personal experiences their work deals with issues ranging from: class, race and identity to child molestation and religion. They will make you laugh, cry, ask questions and everything else in-between. They were nominated for two Urban Griot Awards, Best Group, and Best Production which they took home. Their work is now starting to get national exposure as they won the 2009 VERVE grant
They couple their artistic work with as great a commitment to community and creating positive change. To this end Poetic Assassins has run classes with Exco twin cities chapter, Yo! the movement, Freedom School, Hope Community Center and numerous workshops and speaking engagements.
They are planning on releasing the much anticipated debut album "Inkpen Journals and Daily Struggles" in the fall of 2009. In order to promote as best as possible Poetic Assassins is scheduling shows all across the nation so be looking for them soon near you.
Links
