From the 2008 Rustbelt Poetry Slam, Columbus, OH...
Unheard Testimony
BILLY TUGGLE is, as DJ Motion says, a verbalist. Also known Karma, Billy
is a vocalist and performance poet, recording artist, author, activist, mentor, student, HipHop culturalist. Since 2004, he has been a member of the Chicago multimedia arts collective PolyRhtyhmic; he has represented the Chicago area at the National Poetry Slam 6 years running and has been published in the Columbia Poetry Review, the 16th & Mission Review and his chapbook, "Conscience Under Pressure", by Fractal Edge Press. In 2004, released the live recording "Flawed Glory" and later, the mixtape "Syllabalistsics 101" mixed by DJ Risky Bizness. Billy has also appeared in educational video and films. He has been active in the Temple of HipHop for over a decade and has shared stages with Pevin Everett, Pug$ Atomz, PRIME, the Large Professor, Dennizen Kane of Typical Cats, J.U.I.C.E, DJ Spinna, Jesse De La Pena, the Evan Coleman Group and KRS-ONE.
As a performance poet...
+2001-02: member Chicago/Wicker Park [Mental Graffiti] team in the Midwest Slam League
+2004: member Chicago/Wicker Park [Mental Graffiti] team, National Poetry Slam
+2005: Finalist in the Cornerstone Neo-Soul Poetry Slam, Chicago; member Chicago/Mental Graffiti team, National Poetry Slam
+2006: member Chicago/Mental Graffiti team, Rustbelt Regional Slam champions, NPS top 10 semifialists
+2007: qualified for Chgo/Mental Graffiti and Palatine, IL teams; player-coach Team Palatine, NPS qualifier, Dallas Invitational Poetry Slam; National Poetry Slam
+2008 Chicago/Mental Graffiti Grand Slam champion; member of Chicago/Mental Graffiti, Rustbelt Regional Slam finalists, NPS top 10 semifinalists; Individual World Poetry Slam, 47.
+2009 member Chicago/Mental Graffiti team, a record 5th time and 6th consecutive NPS
