The MN Spoken Word Association (MNSWA) presents the Urban Griots spoken word radio program on KMOJ Community Radio. The mission of the program is to help to uplift and educate the community through the art form of spoken word, hip hop and conscious music.
The show is Executive Produced by e.g. bailey + Sha Cage. It is hosted by Frank Sentwali, Tiyo Siyolo and e.g. bailey. It airs on Saturdays 10:00pm - Midnight, on KMOJ 89.9FM in Minneapolis, MN.
In the West African tradition, the Griot is the oral historian of the tribe, the keeper of the knowledge, and he recounts the story of the tribe through poetic and musical performances throughout the year, in order to preserve the legacy of the people. We view contemporary spoken word, hip hop and conscious music artists as the griots of our time. They are documenting, articulating and preserving the struggles and evolution, the pain and the beauty of the people, and teaching and uplifting the community in the process. This is what the best works in the conscious spoken word and hip hop movement does. The Urban Griots radio show strives to celebrate and spread that movement.
On the program we featuring many artists, including Amiri Baraka, Gil Scott Heron, Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez, Miguel Algarin, Jessica Care Moore, and more; the underground and conscious hip hop movement from the inception of hip hop to today, including such diverse artists as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Roots Manuva, Bahamadia, Brother Ali, Daara J, Def Jef, Brand Nubian, The Coup, Guru, The Roots, Nas, Lauryn Hill and more to numerous to list; reggae, neosoul and jazz artists from Burning Spear, Bob Marley, Alpha Blondy, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Damian Marley, Charles Mingus, Don Byron, Dr. Isreal, Lucky Dube, Me’shell Ndegéocello, Peter Tosh, Poets of Rhythm, Mutabaruka, and the list goes on. We also feature some of the most popular contemporary artists such as Kanye West, Jay Z, John Legend, Wyclef Jean, Black Eye Peas, Cee-Lo, Anthony Hamilton, and others, but only the works that are conscious and positive. This show is currently one of the most popular shows in the Twin Cities and is featured during a prime time radio spot from 10:00pm – midnight on a Saturday night, and has begun to effect positive change within the community, along with being emulated by other radio programming in the Twin Cities.
Poetry is essential to our daily existence, to our growth and education, to the evolution of our spirit. Poetry allows us an avenue of expression as to how we see the world, or to experience other ideas and perspectives that help us see the world in different, richer ways. Poetry can help us understand others, other cultures, and other communities. It can be healing for the author and the reader/listener. It is the goal of this program to present the rich collection of poetic voices from around the world.
The program is part of the emerging Spoken Word Conscious Movementâ„¢ radio format conceived by e.g. bailey, and developed since 2002 by e.g. bailey + Sha Cage.
Contact: [email protected] | 612-288-9491
Send CDs and materials (press kit if possible) to:
Urban Griots
c/o MN Spoken Word Association
1416 Madison Street NE Suite 1
Minneapolis, MN 55413
