(Event Recap)…Graffiti DC = A Deep, Dope DC Experience

As you know, the kid is pretty shallow at times. Wednesday night, I became momentarily deep, as I had the opportunity to be a guest judge at Graffiti DC.

What the hell is Graffiti DC? Glad you asked. Every 3rd Wednesday, and over a period of eight months, eight poets compete for the title of Graffiti DC slam champion and chance to walk away with the grand prize of $2,000. The event took place at Liv Nightclub, with yours truly as a guest judge. Graffiti DC featured poet Oveous Maximus (who was featured on HBO’s Def Jam, is an Apollo winner, bringing light-skinned back, etc.), Drew Law (funny white boy w/ a head band) hosting, Pages co-hosting, DJ KI spinning and Fuze and Chairman’s Reserve sponsoring. The dude behind the scenes who oversees the entire operation (and yells a few jokes and inappropriate vulgarities during performances) is Beny.

Now that I got that out of the way, let me just briefly summarize my expectations vs my experience.

Here’s what I expected…about 20 people in the room, incense burning, a bunch of dreads and bag packs, no white ppl (s/o to Drew), a bunch of snapping (that happened) and some boring rhythmic shit.

Oveous Maximus performing

Here’s what I experienced…a packed room full of attractive people (I kid, you not), a sick mainstream music selection (I was expecting to hear Common all night), a lot of sippin and some honest poetic talent. The vibe and energy was surprisingly dope. Before the show started, I was interviewed by Malik Husser.

Then, when the show started, it was like Fight Night, meets Def Poetry Jam, meets a tiny bit of Love Jones w/ a Sex in the City Twist (or at least in my mind). I witnessed about 6 or 7 poets, judged them, along w/ a few other judges, and was forced to critique them.

The pressure to provide a number based on someone’s performance was fuckin intense (or again, at least in my mind). I felt like I was on America’s Top Model, then after my second drink, I was Paula Abdul (on prescription meds) on American Idol; it was just too fuckin much–but it was so fun.

This post doesn’t give an adequate reflection of my experience, but perhaps it’ll give you a glance on what DC Graffiti is about and why you should check it out. You ain’t gotta be deep (like me) to enjoy…

Sincerely,

So fucking deep…The Jasmine Brand

P.S. S/O to Beny, the entire DC Graffiti DC team and all involved who put on a dope, non traditional event, and took care of me!