In 1985 Marc Smith a construction worker, better known as the “Slam Papi” is known for starting what we call and know today as Slam Poetry. His beginnings were as most poets today, mounting poetry sets, open mics venues, and reciting his personal works. However, for Marc Smith, visiting various poetry venues in Chicago, one in particular named “The Get Me High Jazz Lounge, Marc Smith began to usher forth his lyrical heart onto generations that now stand never understanding that their beginning began in this mere construction worker that had a dream that his voice would be heard. Now, of course history was made, national contest were erected, spreading nation-wide and then its international placed flowed like an epidemic, infecting diverse generations, cultures, and backgrounds. Now, we sit in the 21st Century where Slam Poetry is not only a household name, but has also portrayed and poses one small defect or question, what’s next?

I am sure that Marc Smith never dreamed that Slam Poetry would go to the heights that it has today, nevertheless, it was simply a dream or a vision left in the mind of a dreamer and visionary. His mind becomes the womb of an  upcoming Lyrical Revolution, his heart becomes the incubator that breathes a new sound never heard, a new tongue formatted but not yet uttered. A lyrical revolution that needed to be constructed, thus, it is not unusual that this dream was birthed in the heart of a construction worker.

We have watched poetry evolve over time and seasons; nevertheless, rap took the scene, with its new lyrical expression, confronting the issues of poverty, opening the vocal cords of those that lacked the political waves to change their communities, thus was the true purpose of what we call Rap! However, it was because of this beginning, that emerged an industry that is the most lucrative of all music genres in the world. Protesters emerged to hinder this revolution, political meetings were held, all with the mission of silencing the voice of rap, but to no avail. Whether Slam Poetry or The Rap Industry, neither could be denied!

Thus, as we move further into the 21st Century, there shall be a shift in what we see and know as Lyrical & Slam Poetry! It will no longer be the counting of votes to prove who is best, maintaining the highest score, but it shall be because silence will no longer be acceptable! It will no longer be the fast pace lyrical styles of men, but they will begin to echo from behind the injustices that reek from within and without nations as a whole. It will no longer be designed for those that spend weeks prepping the length of time, lines, the topic, but the words and thoughts shall spring forth from the bowels of the issues that are flooding the streets of despair. What's next? This can't be answered today, but you will recognize shortly, then you'll be a witness to and see that there is a Lyrical Revolution truly underway!