Speak Our Story – Griots To Emcees

In Our Own Words

In this series we explore the fusion of Word and Sound. Spotlighting the voices, creativity and cultural impact of renowned artists of the Spoken Word, we embark on a journey – from the griots to the emcees, poets to playwrights, stage to screen, oral culture to Oralfutrism, and beyond.

JWyze

The future of oral culture is really us. We are the technology.

Emcee, novelist, and fantasy world-builder fusing the worlds of music, poetry and fiction, envisions the future of Spoken Word.
Dwayne Morgan

Art isn’t just something you step away from and look at. We are the art.

Multi-award-winning Spoken Word poet and producer, shares about his artistic journey to international stages and the Order of Ontario.
Britta B

I feel like when I’m writing, it’s a reaching for something being given to me… those clues, those signs, those symbols.

Award-winning artist, spoken word poet, emcee, voice talent and mentor discusses the creative process of facing the blank page to publishing her first book.
Desiree McKenzie

Poetry is a way to make us understand ourselves, and the world.

Award-winning poet, arts educator, and National Poetry Slam Champion, reflects on the role of culture and discovery in her work.
Testament
Lillian Allen

The Cypher

Featuring Special Guests

Paulina O’Keiffe

Award winning artist, curator, and arts educator pays homage to the women of Spoken Word with a powerful performance.
Eddy Da Original One

Known as the beatbox poet, the international performer gives a taste of his unique fusion of Spoken Word and beatbox.
Shahaddah Jack

Spoken word artist and Toronto Youth Poet Laureate shares words of power.
Empara

Singer, songwriter, poet, performance artist moves seamlessly between melodic flows and spoken word.
DJ Akeem

Resident DJ and multi-disciplinary artist brings the beats, rhymes and poetry to the Speak Ourstory soundscape.

Poet-to-Poet

Poet-to-Poet conversations highlighting renowned African-Canadian artists creating in the realms of Spoken Word, Dub, Slam, Hip Hop, film, theatre and multi-disciplinary oral cultural forms. These intimate conversations, where Black artists across the country reflect on their lives, history and over 50 years of Spoken Word, inspired the oral history