They’re funny, rhythmic, and use language as a means of expression…oh yeah, I better not forget SUPER sexy and single (hey boys!). Moses West and his friend and fellow Poet Seven travel across the United States performing on stages for fellow word enthusiasts, writers, and everyday people that just like to vibe out to language that leaves you with a message.
I met them in Philly at a local poetry hotspot. They had traveled all of the way from Jacksonville, Florida to give us Northerners a small does of Jacksonville’s finest. Blending in quiet well with the crowed, Moses and Seven looked as if they were naturals on the Philly scene. Not over dressed, but emanating swag; laughing and joking but not bringing too much attention to themselves; loud, but not overbearing. Out of all the norms, something about them stood out. Maybe it was the way they supported one another one stage. Or, it could have been their larger than life personalities when they grabbed a hold of the microphone. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the way that they said “Yes ma’am” when asked a question.
Either way Moses West, a Jacksonville native, and Seven, a fellow Philadelphian who moved to Jacksonville after joining the Navy in 2006, exude Southern Hospitality with a northern flare. I had the opportunity to speak with Moses and Seven one evening and get their perspectives on hip-hop, poetry, and performing.
Tierra: When did you first get into poetry?
Moses: I got into poetry back in 03. A friend of mine invited me to a poetry session and I thought it was lame, boring, artsy, the usual. But, I think open mics are the best place for anyone to learn poetry. So, I peeped game for a minute, but about three sessions in I got on the stage. That night I got a standing O. So, I figured I would come back every month with a new poem. Open mics are definitely a good place to write for people.
Seven: I got into poetry when I was 15 years old. I went to William Penn High School and right across the street there was this spot where they used to do Spoken Word. I would sneak out to go and see the performers and from there I just took too it.
Tierra: Why did you begin writing?
Seven: I began writing because I like to talk. I laugh and joke a lot so it allowed me to get attention and just act a fool. Its fun watching people express themselves through words and when I saw other people doing it, it was an art form that I related to well.
Moses: I always wrote for myself. No formal training, no editor, workshop, or slam coach. I just wrote for me. But, in 07’ I caught a charge. After that, it was hard for me to get a job, so I just decided to do this poetry thing full-time and now I have been doing it professionally for the past 3 years.
Tierra: How does it make you feel now that everyone is getting the chance to experience your writing in a larger circuit?
Moses: Although that was my first time in Philly we have done Regional and National Slams. At first we used to do free shows and free open mics, but we began to grow and a few dollars started coming in. They used to only let us do one poem, maybe too, but at a lot of places we were going too we were upstaging the professionals.
Seven: And the cool thing about doing poetry for people is that you get to make life long friends. There are a lot of cool people that do this. On that stage as well as off the stage we are the same people and many of the people that we meet are the same way.
Tierra: Would you like to take your writing to an even larger level?
Seven: I would love to take my writing to another level, but it has to be fun for me. If at anytime that ‘next’ level isn’t fun anymore, than I don’t want to do it.
Tierra: Do you think of poetry as an art form, a movement, or both? Also, do you think that a movement can be in the form of art?
Seven: I look at Poetry as an art form and as a movement. It’s like how many used to look at hip hop. At first hip hop was a movement, but it became an art form when people began to learn more about it. This is the way it is with poetry, right now although it is an art form; it is also a movement which will just become bigger as more people learn about it.
Moses: I think everyone writes for different reasons. I personally write for entertainment purposes, not to change the world. Poetry to me is more of a pure art form than hip hop wordsmiths.
Tierra: How have your families embraced your writing?
Moses: My family really doesn’t know much about what I do. At church was the first time my mom actually saw what I do. There was this girl there that did a little poem, real “Dr. Suessy.” My mother introduced me and told them that I wrote poetry as well. I don’t think they were prepared for what I do. Now, my mom wants me to perform everywhere at the drop of a hat. Then, some of my cousin just saw me perform. Not because they wanted to be supportive, but because they wanted something to do. Its like, ‘On, I am trying to go out tonight…Mo got that little poetry thing going on, lets check him out.’ He says while laughing!
Seven: It’s funny you asked that question. My family saw me perform for the first time when I was in Philly. My foster mother was there and a lot of my extended family. They sat right in the front too. It was a lot harder for me to perform with them there, but for a stranger it’s a lot easier. With a stranger, you don’t really mind if you mess up, but with my family there, I just wanted everything to be perfect.
Tierra: What kind of message would you like to send to the younger generation of poets who would like to get their voices heard? And can you spot Poetry in Hip Hop today?
Moses: There are a lot of niggas saying the same thing in this genre. Spoken word allows me to be myself. There are some things that I have been through or experienced and when I look at them, I won’t be looked at as an outsider. I don’t sell no dope, I don’t have a lot of women, I live in an apartment, my car don’t have no rims, but I can write about all of that. Poetry allows us to focus on our flaws. So, be yourself. Don’t try to fit into a box.
Seven: I would tell them not to limit themselves to today’s hip hop. Listen to the oldies and the pioneers. Listen to some Run DMC. And above all, never change you. Write about what you know and what you do. It will grow on people. I never changed up what I liked nor did I switch up the plan.
Tierra: What’s your next move?
Moses: We were doing a regular venue of poetry shows here in Jacksonville. But, I would like to expand more as an artist, rather than a promoter. We have a King and Queens series. But, on April 25th we have the Queens of Poetry. There are 6 features all professional poets that just spend the night doing their thing. Philadelphia is a real artsy city, we don’t have poetry like this in Jacksonville. I want to introduce Poetry to Jacksonville.
Tierra: Any questions for me?
Seven: Are you single?
Everyone laughs…
~Tierra Fernandez