Prairie View’s Productive Poets was created by Emanulee “Out-Spoken” Bean through an inspirational challenge from a friend who attended Sam Houston State University. After careful thinking and the increased passion for poetry, the challenge formed into the Slam Team.
Bean said “The Slam team has a mission to learn the craft and cultivate expression in any form, from DJs, rappers, singers, to designers, and to see growth in one another as poets.”
This year Prairie View Productive Poets is picking five new students to make up the 2009-2010 Slam Team.
Slam team hopeful, Chima Chinedo said, “The first poem I ever heard on campus was from Malcolm ‘Redd’ Bevel, one of last year’s Slam team members, and it was called ‘Element.’ It was a sort of lovey dovey poem, but it really stuck with me for some reason which led me to join Triple P.
I write from a personal perspective, and I am aiming to write pieces that are easy to relate to,” said Chinedo.
Sept. 22 was the first slam session night this year at Jazzman’s where the top four students were judged and picked by student judges on a scale from 0 to 10. The first top four poets are; Thasia Madison (Trade Mark), Clarence Porter (C-Dot), Chinedo, and Brittany Phillips.
Porter said, “I’ve been writing poetry since I was nine. At first it began as a way to attract girls, but as I developed into a man and an adult, it became interesting to me for the artistic, expressive aspect. I hope I do make the Slam team because it’s a real exhilarating experience, but if I don’t, I’m content with being the president of Triple P.”
Sept. 26 was the second round where four more poets were picked; Anthony Kamara (Bama), Gregory Malone (Deuce), Carl Jones (CJ), and William Hawkins (Will H). Kamara said, “I’ve been writing since the 3rd grade and my inspiration comes from life. From love, to heart break, to arriving at Prairie View to brotherhood. As a poet you speak not with just your tongue but with your soul and that’s why I want to be a part of the slam team.” Jones said, “I personally want to be a part of the slam team to represent PV in a different way, and some of the previous members caught my attention with their heartfelt spoken word. I just had to be a part of it.”
Eight students will compete for the grand finale this week.