Spoken word poetry is not merely an art form but a communion of soul, experience and understanding. Spend one night tucked in the back of House of Hathor on Columbia’s North Main Street and you’ll find yourself transformed by a tapestry of words and experiences that transcend the boundaries of language, culture, time.
Local and visiting poets bring their words to life through dynamic spoken performances, transforming the intimate space into a haven where each syllable hangs like a suspended breath in the air. What’s even more striking about a night with Columbia’s spoken word poets? The insurmountable sense of community and love that intertwines them as they stand as each other’s strongest pillars of support.
“Regardless of who rises up to be the next big thing, I’m going to be there to support it,” said Bugsy Calhoun, host and emcee of local spoken word hotspot, House of Hathor. “A lot of artists don’t know where to go, and I want there to be an understanding that there is no divide between any of us. The door is open."
On top of hosting some of Columbia’s most popular spoken word events, Calhoun also hosts workshops with local poets at the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Bugsy Calhoun is a spoken word poet in Columbia. Kati Baldwin/Special to The Post and Courier
“These kids aren’t able to express themselves because they lack the resources, but when they get to writing and expressing their story is usually the same: a lack of a sense of home and community," Calhoun explained. "I have to inspire and help young folks get to a point where they know their worth as artists and people.”
'It's something I wish was more mainstream'
While support is tight within their community, spoken word artists struggle to reach an audience beyond their immediate artistic circles.
“Poets are usually our regular supporters,” said Rian Jenkins, poet and English Teacher at Ridge View High School. “Every now and again, you’ll get someone in the audience who genuinely loves poetry and loves listening to it, but it’s something I wish was more mainstream.”
Jenkins’ essence as a poet aligns with her principles as an educator and mentor.
“I truly believe I am on the platform that I am to speak light and to transform thinking in a positive way," she said. "I’m realizing more and more that people don’t see how valuable they are, and I don’t want people to not see that in themselves.”
'We do this to heal the world'
Casting spoken word further into the mainstream is hip-hop artist and co-founder of Black Nerd Mafia, Tam the Viibe, who is taking a collaborative and cross-disciplinary approach to art. Her first hip-hop EP of 2024 will highlight multiple spoken word artists performing alongside her notoriously slick balance of hip-hop and gospel.
Tam the Viibe is an artist in Columbia. Kati Baldwin/Special to the Post and Courier
“It blew my mind on Kendrick Lamar’s last album when he had, of all people, Kodak Black doing spoken word on it. I was like, this is what we need. I envy spoken word artists,” she said. “They are so intentional in their artwork and constantly in their craft, because life is their constant muse. As hip-hop artists, we still have to get where those spoken word artists are.”
Tam works with Kwasi Brown and Black Nerd Mafia to host regular events around Columbia that showcase spoken word poets, visual artists, musicians, authors and a multitude of other Black artists.
“One of the purposes of Black Nerd Mafia is to shine a light on every different type of art that young Black creatives are involved in,” said Brown.
That’s how “Poetry and Pajamas” was born. Poetry and Pajamas puts spoken word in the spotlight with the addition of live music, visual art and — you guessed it — pajamas. It has been a recurring success at Curiosity Coffee Bar in Historic Cottontown since 2021, buoyed by support from the community.
But Brown said he has been luckier than most where booking at reputable venues is concerned.
“It’s an issue that I think most Black artists deal with in Columbia — a lack of opportunities at venues downtown. ...These artists are regular working people, they don’t have $500 to lease a venue for one night, but otherwise, nobody is really asking.”
Tam the Viibe is a Columbia-based rapper, artist and spoken word poet. Kati Baldwin/Special to The Post and Courier
This sentiment is consistent with the harsh reality that, despite talent, many artists go unrecognized and financially uncompensated. In a world that overlooks the value of their stories, the absence of financial support becomes glaringly apparent.
“It’s great to be known, but these artists need money in their hands this year. That’s the goal,” said Brown.
At the end of the day, community and passion keep these artists motivated.
Bugsy said it best: “We don’t do this just to say we do this — we do this to heal the world.”
