Mixed In The City


Just the musings of a girl teetering precariously between two worlds, dancing to the sounds of the streets, reading under the stars...pages lit by the bright lights of Chicago

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Know your place? Or know your audience?

I take a course called Reviewing the Arts that challenges us to dive deeper into analyzing performances, arts, and entertainment of all types. Last night’s course explored the genre of poetry as a performance art. One poet that stood out to me was Sekou Sundiata. I was drawn in not only by his use of intelligent word play but his use of tone and vocal expression.

Now, one thing that also stood out to me was something that I have heard debated in the black community time and time again. (Now mind you, I think he is awesome and what I am about to say is simply playing devil’s advocate). With that said, watch the two videos below and notice the stark differences in accent, wording, content and tone in these two performances. The first is his reading at the Dodge Poetry Festival which is a literary festival for poets who are well respected in the academic world. The second is his performance on Def Poetry Jam.

Do you notice that the poem on Def Poetry Jam has simpler “punch lines” has a chorus and generally follows the form of a rap song. His performance at Dodge is much more eloquent, has wordplay that takes a little more thought and time to piece together, and is read in a completely different voice. Maybe because I am in marketing and PR I understand the need to tailor your message or voice to the audience you are reaching, but do you think he jeapordizes his art and content by doing so?

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Sekou Sundiata - “New American Theater”

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Sekou Sundiata - “Come On With The Reparations”

permalink sorry for the hiatus!! Miss MITC is on spring break! Loving it at that!

sorry for the hiatus!! Miss MITC is on spring break! Loving it at that!

permalink Couple Dies While Having Sex in Car (SMH)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35891571/ns/world_news-weird_news/
Man, 77, Eats Hidden Pot Stash in Squad Car (LOLz)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35843420/ns/us_news/
Trooper Makes 2 DUI Arrests in One Stop (LOLz)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35879742/ns/us_news/
-courtest of MSNBC

Couple Dies While Having Sex in Car (SMH)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35891571/ns/world_news-weird_news/

Man, 77, Eats Hidden Pot Stash in Squad Car (LOLz)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35843420/ns/us_news/

Trooper Makes 2 DUI Arrests in One Stop (LOLz)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35879742/ns/us_news/

-courtest of MSNBC

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Im actually amazed at this! This is the 15 year old son of the legendary Rev Run of Run DMC freestyling over a Nas beat. The kid is actually really good! Looks like there could be another generation of hip-hop greatness in the Simmons family. I’m impressed!

Enjoy!

permalink Mixed In The City has had the flu! But- I’m back!! 
Thanks for bearing with me :)
- MITC

Mixed In The City has had the flu! But- I’m back!!

Thanks for bearing with me :)

- MITC

permalink Lindsay Lohan Sues E*Trade over “Milkaholic” Commercials (LOLz)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35780790/ns/business-media_biz/
Chef Dishes up Cheese Made from Breast Milk (EW)
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35778477/ns/today-today_food_and_wine/
Woman Charged in Breastmilk Assault on Jailer (LOLz)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35748821/ns/us_news/
Chameleons Have Weatherproof Tongues (Strange)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35767647/ns/technology_and_science-science/

Lindsay Lohan Sues E*Trade over “Milkaholic” Commercials (LOLz)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35780790/ns/business-media_biz/

Chef Dishes up Cheese Made from Breast Milk (EW)

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35778477/ns/today-today_food_and_wine/

Woman Charged in Breastmilk Assault on Jailer (LOLz)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35748821/ns/us_news/

Chameleons Have Weatherproof Tongues (Strange)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35767647/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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I rarely blog about myself but…

Miss Mixed In The City has ordered her Cap and Gown!! Any other members of the class of 2010 BEYOND ready to walk across that stage?

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I cant cope, I cant think
I cant breathe, this aint me
This aint easy, im thinking
Am I doing this for them or me?
I cant think, am I doing this for them or me?

Who am I living for?
Is this my limit?
Can I endure some more?
Chances are giving
Questions existing