Poetri was blessed to be chosen as one of the first poets for the Peabody Award winning HBO series "Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam Presents". And now is currently a regular on the show. Then he was selected to co-write and star in the critically acclaimed Broadway play with the same name, which garnered him his very first TONY AWARD! Touring the nation and Australia, he has since gone on to be one of the funniest, most gifted poets on stage. The Los Angeles Times recognized him as a "FACE TO WATCH in 2004." People all over are talking about his already classic pieces "Krispy Kreme" and "Money". His presence seems to be everywhere. Even in the skies. He is the voice of the popular radio show on Delta Air called "Chart Attack" (Channel 7). He has proven that spoken word can take you anywhere, even into the conference rooms of Nike, where he performed his poems and became a driving force that got Lebron James to sign to the company.

On the Los Angeles home front, he is the host of the largest and hottest weekly poetry venue in the nation, pulling in 350-400 people every Tuesday. Da' Poetry Lounge has become a staple for up and coming poets to come and showcase their talent. There, a new writer is born everyday. It has become a place where youth can express their emotions in a positive atmosphere. Poetri gives all his Glory to God and prays to continue to make people laugh through love and words.

I recently had an opportunity to dele into the mind of this talented wordsmith, check out what he had to say.

Jay: When did you know you wanted to be a poet?

Poetri: I never knew.  I didn't choose poetry, poetry chose me.

Jay: How did you get started in the biz?

Poetri: As far as being on the show, Russell Simmons came to my poetry venue in LA called Da' Poetry Lounge...and the rest is history.

Jay: Who are your influences?

Poetri: It is funny, since I am a poet by nature and not by trade, most of my influences are not poets.  I do like Nora Zeal Hurston, though.  But most of my influences have a wide range from my daddy to Denzel to Michael Jackson.

Jay: How much of yourself goes into the poetry that you write/recite?

Poetri: All of me.

Jay: Your style is very animated and energetic...how did it come to be that way?

Poetri: Cause that is how I am.  People think that I am performing all the time...cause when the lights go off and I am off the stage I am still just as energetic and just as animated.  It is crazy.  I really think that I AM CRAZY!!!

Jay: What was it like being on Broadway and winning the Tony Award?

Poetri: There are no words that I as a poet can describe the feeling.  I mean, every night we on stage performing non-traditional poetry to a very traditional audience.  Here we are bringing the noise to Broadway audiences that are used to going to see "Lion King" and "Ptom Of The Opera".  We were shocking people every night.  We got a standing ovation every single night.

Jay: What is your proudest moment professionally/personally?

Poetri: Hmmm, that is a good question.  The Lord has blessed me with so much the last few years professionally, it is hard to choose.  But, if I had to choose...I will have to say being on stage accepting the TONY AWARD. Personally...oh that is easy...marrying my wife.

Jay:  What topics will you refuse to write about?

Poetri: Nothing.  If it moves me...I write about it.  I write about things that happen in my life.  If it is in my life...it is writable.

Jay:  How have you managed to keep working over the  years?

Poetri: Through the grace of God.

Jay:  What's on the  horizon?

Poetri: The sun.  HAHA!!  I have a sitcom that I am working on about Da' Poetry Lounge.  I also have another Broadway play in the works, a documentary about Spoken Word and I am really excited about my second album that should be coming out real soon.

Jay:  Any words of  advice?

Poetri: To all the poets out in the world...I say keep writing.  Most importantly stay honest and true to yourself.  Don't try to write a funny poem or a political poem.  Just write.  If it happens to be funny or political that is great...cause that is what it is.  As soon as you set a goal to write something a certain way, then you start to lose a little bit of your honesty and therefore your soul.  Just write.  Whatever comes out will come out. And trust me...it will be great.  Why?  Cause you wrote it.  Oh, lemme stop, I am giving away my secrets that I teach in my workshop.  I am starting my fourth year teaching Poetri's Poetry Workshop.  This year we start April 27th.  So my true advice...TAKE MY CLASS!!!  HAHAHA   Http://Poetri.com 

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