Poetry slams are meant to be democratic in the sense that anyone can step up to the mike and be judged on their performance on a 1-10 scale until 1 poet is left standing. These poets come from all walks of life and a disproportiate number come from ethnic minorities. Perhaps explaining why to some extent that the hottest place to slam in New York, like at the Nuyorican Cafe for example- http://www.nuyorican.org/, that claims to be a '
A non-profit organization' that aims to 'create a multi-cultural venue that both nurtures artists and exhibits a variety of artistic works.' That is '..dedicated to providing a stage for the arts with access for the widest public.
Its not taken big business long (again) to notice the commercial success and potential of these poet slammers. You can see the commercial appeal in the sense that 'Slam Poetry' has a following in the youth market which attracts brands. Imagine what those slammers (who I can imagine are largely in opposition to corporate America) must have be thinking when Nike in 1998 asked a number of them to compose poems celebrating female athletes to be used in their ads.
Some reacted angrily like Martin Espada ( http://www.lipmagazine.or...a_32_p.htm ) yet some could not resist selling out. Twenty-five professional poets responded to Nike's request, and poems by two of them became part of the four commercial Winter Olympics campaign. Nike inspired other brands as you can see if you look at Nuyorican Cafe's site. This year, Nissan cars employed a poet by the name of Sypher 1 to travel across America in a Nissan Altima spreading 'freedom, access and respect.' http://www.essence.com/es...9,,00.html Which is what exactly? 'Nissan cars are great-buy Nissan'? Possibly, probably. Im sorry to say but I can now even see poetry going the same way as popular music; a split between those credible artists who continue to struggle and a handful of mainstream stars-those who write protest poetry and those who write poetry for Nike and Coca Cola. Whatever will they try and brand next? Art itself?
[This message was edited Sat Nov 22 10:45:14 PST 2003 by JDINTERACTIVE]

everyone would like to get paid for their talent and for what they love to do.



these people "sold out" for the same reasons that musicians sign record contracts.

AaronUniversal said:

True, but when does art itself become more about a brand than the art itself?

JDINTERACTIVE said:

the art remains the art, even though it has been incorporated into advertising.


for example, i see people raving about Nikka Costa around here all the time, but you know what her chief claim to fame is to this day? that her song "Like A Feather" appeared in a Tommy Hilfiger commercial. doesn't seem to affect their appreciation for her, her music, or her live performance.