Sign our petition for true representation @ The Grammy's

[Max Parthas]

2008 Grammy Winners

We as Spoken Word Poets and artists feel that the Grammys are misrepresenting the true genre of Spoken Word.
It is unthinkable that politicians are receiving awards for reading their books when so many real poets have bled and died for this art form. Yet Spoken Word Poetry is not even included.
Neither Hillary Clinton nor Barak Obama are Spoken Word artists. How is it possible that they are winning awards for a genre created and maintained by legendary artists like
*Amiri Baraka
*Nikki Giovanni
*The Last Poets
*Gil Scott-Heron
*Sonya Sanchez
and more legends than we could ever list here.
A genre being uplifted into the mainstream media by artists like
Georgia Me
Tommy Bottoms
ABYSS
Max Parthas
Saul Williams
Taylor Mali
Carlos Gomez
TAALAM ACEY
Queen Sheba
Tranzit Thawt
Poetri
Da Boogie Man
Aqiyl
Tehut 9
Malcom Jamal Warner
and so many many more.

We feel that is is not only an insult to place politicians in the forefront of this industry but it is imperative this situation be corrected without delay.
You have a long list of Spoken Word subcategories and have yet to include the primary reason it's even called such. Because of "Spoken Word Poetry." traced all the way back to The Harlem Renaissance.

This oversight is no longer acceptable.
The names, comments, letters and statements below represent our desire for change in the 2009 awards ceremony.

Sincerely

The Artists of The New Word Order

[Max Parthas]

Max Parthas

[Geovannimarcel]

Max, once again, you are so right about this. If we don't stand up and show people the "TRUE" art form, they will continue to be misled by people who are winning awards in our arts name.
You, Talaam Acey, and many others have broken into places as trail blazers like MTV, BET, and other stations that normally don't carry "spoken word" or "hip hop". We have to ban together and make the executives see the error of their ways.....and the only way we can do it is to make our own people aware.
thanks again for the push we all need sometimes.
Much love
G

[Esu'Nkuyu]

Let me know what I can do to help. It's about time we step up!...let's do the blessed thing and make it happen.

[Speech of True thought]

I totally agree. Song and rap are derived from poetry so why not have it represented in its puriest form

[moble]

I'm glad that you're making this an imperative brother...those who you've named are long overdue. My support for this effort is 100%

[Wise1Poet]

i think you are full of it man
you dont know a damn thing
nah im just playing if i didnt argue with you how would you keep on your toes

you are right
i call my self a poet have heard most of the names you have spoken but yet i still dont follow spoken word like that i dont know why

dude i agree poetry is a big part of all of our culture today all music not just hip hop and rap but everything
cause the songs are just that poems with a beat

yo max doit up let me know where to sign and yo im stil lhere on the ride of a life time take me where ever you are goin gi want to have an adventure lol

[Max Parthas]

You signed already. Right here Wise.
Thank you all for the support. We need reasons to come together and here is a good one.

[Tshombe (the Poet)]

Now you know this is a what it's all about. Spoken Word should include more than book readers and voiceovers, Spoken Word is the future!

I am signing in blood

[Zen Monkey]

Signed,

"Izzi Moonshine"

Let the voices of We be acknowledged and appreciated!

[Hannah Drake]

So true. I always wondered how politicians won in the spoken word category. Great idea Max!

[R. Lee Gordon]

The truth lives in word(s).

One in UniTee and all the blessed . . .

RLG

[Tammy Jones]

I agree spoken word needs its due!