Origins Of Slam Poetry

  

“There is a pleasure in poetic pains
 Which only poets know”

                                                                                      -William Cowper

Slam Poetry or often called word poetry is a performance poetry art, which is much similar to soliloquy or dramatic monologue of drama. It is a kind of poetic art where a poet recites the poem, preferably  his/her own work with full expressions and emotions. It lays equal emphasis on writing and performance. A slam poet modulates his voice accordingly and shows movements of hands and body as to express  the poem to impart its complete sense. The art of slam poetry was started by an American poet and a construction worker ‘Marc Smith’, who began the first poetry reading session at a lounge in Chicago in the year 1984, followed by series of slam sessions at Ann Arbor, Michigan which became the home to second oldest slam series in 1987.  It is worth noticing that Smith was trying to brew a new way of self-expression and it eventually gave birth to the ‘Art of Slam Poetry’ without even having a slightest hint that it would grow into a mass movement among teenagers in coming decades. From there it began to spread throughout the North American continent. Slam Poetry sessions began to be held weekly with open-mic systems where local poetry writers joined to recite their works with ambitions to get their talent known. After the open mic gatherings and recitations several performers came up claiming the superior talents, bringing the spirits of competitions. Poetry Slam competitions began with the promises of prizes and obvious recognition that follows.

The Wildfire Of Slam

Slam Growth In America

Slam Poetry spread like a wildfire throughout the world as a means of expression among youth. The rebel like texture of the art gave its reach a significant boost. Slam Poetry indeed came up with a medium of expression which had advantages like the ability to assert meaning with body language and performance. The volatility and rage of teenage and youth accepted the new form with complete zeal and excitement. Slam Poetry started to be performed as groups and individuals, it was at many places performed to voice their rebellion and protests. Its exactness of vocal expression attracted its use as method of protest. Literature has always been instrumental in the spread of different causes and movements in history; and Slam Poetry continued to follow the trend. Causes differed, be it the cause of blacks in America or the grief stricken Philistine, the slam poets like Rafeef Ziadah (Palestinian), T Miller (USA)  took the charge of propagating the cause and making their voices heard.

The regular local slam sessions observed an epidemic growth, getting converted into national spirit in America which turned into the demand for slam poetry to be recognized as a distinct art. In 1991 Chicago hosted first national slam competition formulating its rules and regulations. New artistry and representation was put forth by the slam poets. During 1990s the salm competition grew nationwide with many cities of America coming up with their representations. The official Poetry Slam, Inc. was registered under non-profit tag in the year 1999. The same parent organization looked after many slams in the country with several contesting teams. Many bathroom poets came up breaking the walls of bathrooms to present their art and exhibit their talent to the world. Reading stories, poetry and other literature has all been old and known to us and Slam is the new form that enhances the experience of enjoying literature.

Word poetry has come a long way breaking barriers and boundaries, the voices these days are heard from each corner of the American nation in slams The voices of joy, dissent, anger, calmness, peace etc. Slam poetry is also these days used in the place of being something that promotes freedom of speech.

-Assef Ali