Basiknowledge

By day, you can might find Basiknowledge studying accounting at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, but by night you will definitely find him wherever there is a open mic and a captive audience. Lawrence “Basiknowledge” Green Jr., is a writer, competitive performance poet, spoken word artist and HBO Def Jam Poet whose work is capturing audiences from Canada to New Mexico.This 21 year old, Charleston, South Carolina native, Basiknowledge utilizes his talents to explore the idea that our best knowledge is also our most basic. With his captivating style of poetry wrapped with southern storytelling, he has been a featured performer at venues throughout the Southeast.At the urging of his fans, he created a CD, Spare Change, which came out to enthusiastic reviews throughout the Southeast. This collection of spoken word pieces is highlighted with wordplay, warmth, and clever humor that only Basiknowledge can deliver.“I am an entertainer,” Basiknowledge says, “not someone who hits the audience over the hear with some heavy message. I say something, but I do it through the story, through sharing with the audience. It’s personal. Intimate.”His literary influences are diverse, ranging from Bob Marley to the rich geechee culture of his hometown. Drawing on the great Southern tradition of storytelling -- honed during his years as a Charleston tour guide -- he creates a comfortable niche between himself and his audience.A keenly competitive performer, Basiknowledge is well-known newcomer after qualifying for final stage at the 2006 Individual World Poetry Slam, going from underdog to finalist in three days. Named Savannah’s Best Poet of 2005, Basiknowledge is also a former member of the Columbia, South Carolina slam team, which placed first at the 2006 Southeast Regional Poetry Slam -- also known as “Southern Fried”.Bringing poetry back to the basics, Basiknowledge’s poems fit no specific genre, dabbling with tenderness and absurdity. Basiknowledge’s stage presence is captivating and his ability to maintain creative perspective makes him one of today's rising stars of spoken word.