Suzi Q. Smith
Encyclopedia
Suzi Q. Smith is an American
poet, spoken word artist and activist. She began writing poetry in her elementary years and by high school was participating in poetry readings and poetry slams. She began her career as an Activist working with civil rights organizations, and continued working as a community organizer and artist performing throughout the United States.
In 2000, Suzi Q. organized one of the largest events honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
in a march that included more than 30,000 participants. Her noted community work has also included work with the Urban League, the Denver Center for Crime Victims, the Pan African Arts Society, Art from Ashes, The Children's Hospital, Flobots.org and many more.
, which quickly became one of the nation's most highly ranked poetry slams.
In 2007, she collaborated with Belgian group Psy'Aviah
on their single 'Moments', which was a finalist in the BBC's 'Next Big Thing' Contest and was later released on their [Alfa Matrix] debut, 'Entertainment Industries'. The video was released and received 3 million views in 3 months, and was subsequently banned from youtube.com due to their claim that the content was 'explicit'. The video's ban received attention in the national press in Belgium http://www.alfa-matrix.com/news_comments.php?id=1622_0_2_0_C, including Het Laatste Nieuws, De Morgen, and Gazet Van Antwerpen.
Also in 2007, Suzi Q. Smith also served as the Poetry Editor for Denver Syntax, an online arts review focused on innovative music, literature, and visual arts. In 2008, she released a spoken word album entitled 'Picks, Pistols, and Prayers', featuring the title track dedicated to Huey P. Newton
.
Currently, Suzi Q. Smith performs poetry and music in addition to leading workshops in learning environments that range from schools to detention centers. Her second album, (re)MIXED, featuring work with producers from around the world was released in February 2011. Suzi Q. is also a member of the Lady Wu-Tang Clan, one of hip hop's first successful cover groups, and one of Denver's most popular musical acts.. Her work with Hip Hop Covers Presents has found her performing many hip hop classics, in addition to promoting and performing her own songs.
Suzi Q. competed in the Women of the World Poetry Slam in March 2011 and is currently ranked third in the world. She is also a member of the 2011 Denver Mercury Cafe Slam Team, and a coach of the Denver Minor Disturbance Youth Poetry Slam Team.
• Finalist, Individual Competition, Southwest Shootout 2011
• Champion, Haiku Deathmatch Competition, Southwest Shootout 2011
• Semi–Finalist, National Poetry Slam 2011
• Champion, Silver Tongue Champion, Verse/Converse Festival 2011
• Finalist, Women of the World Poetry Slam 2011
• City Champion, Women of the World Poetry Slam Competition, 2010
• Finalist, Pablo Neruda Poetry Festival Barrio Slam, 2009 and 2011
• Finalist, Slaughterhouse Slam, 2009
• Finalist, Taos Poetry Festival Silver Tongue Slam 2009
• Coach, Slam Nuba Denver Team, 2009
• Poetry Editor, Denver Syntax, 2006–2007
• Co–director, co–founder – SlamNUBA – A performance–based competitive poetry group, 2006–present
• Poetry Editor – Denver Syntax, 2006 – 2008
• In Our Own Words (Burning Bush Publications)
• Events Quarterly (www.eventsquarterly.com)
• Word is Bond (Unblind Communications)
• The Los Angeles Journal (www.losangelesjournal.com)
• Denver Syntax (www.denversyntax.com)
• Concelebratory Shoehorn Review (http://www.cshoe.blogspot.com/)
• The Pedestal Magazine (http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com/)
• His Rib: Anthology of Women (Penmanship Books)
• 'Walk Softly (and carry an a.k.)' ISBN 978-0-5572-8636-2
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
poet, spoken word artist and activist. She began writing poetry in her elementary years and by high school was participating in poetry readings and poetry slams. She began her career as an Activist working with civil rights organizations, and continued working as a community organizer and artist performing throughout the United States.
In 2000, Suzi Q. organized one of the largest events honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
in a march that included more than 30,000 participants. Her noted community work has also included work with the Urban League, the Denver Center for Crime Victims, the Pan African Arts Society, Art from Ashes, The Children's Hospital, Flobots.org and many more.
About
Her poetry has been published in many formats, including a collection of poems entitled Walk Softly (and carry an a.k.), released to high acclaim from modern poetry critics. In 2006, she worked with Community Activist Ashara Ekundayo and poets Ken Arkind and Panama Soweto to launch Slam NubaSlam Nuba
Slam Nuba is a competitive performance poetry event and team sponsored by the Pan African Arts Society and certified by Poetry Slam, Inc.- the organization that arranges an annual National Poetry Slam. The Pan African Arts Society is an award-winning arts and social change organization that has...
, which quickly became one of the nation's most highly ranked poetry slams.
In 2007, she collaborated with Belgian group Psy'Aviah
Psy'Aviah
Psy'Aviah is an Industrial rock / Electroclash / Dark EBM band from Antwerp, Belgium.The band took form in 2004 and was mainly focused on playing live...
on their single 'Moments', which was a finalist in the BBC's 'Next Big Thing' Contest and was later released on their [Alfa Matrix] debut, 'Entertainment Industries'. The video was released and received 3 million views in 3 months, and was subsequently banned from youtube.com due to their claim that the content was 'explicit'. The video's ban received attention in the national press in Belgium http://www.alfa-matrix.com/news_comments.php?id=1622_0_2_0_C, including Het Laatste Nieuws, De Morgen, and Gazet Van Antwerpen.
Also in 2007, Suzi Q. Smith also served as the Poetry Editor for Denver Syntax, an online arts review focused on innovative music, literature, and visual arts. In 2008, she released a spoken word album entitled 'Picks, Pistols, and Prayers', featuring the title track dedicated to Huey P. Newton
Huey P. Newton
Huey Percy Newton was an American political and urban activist who, along with Bobby Seale, co-founded the Black Panther Party for Self Defense.-Early life:...
.
Currently, Suzi Q. Smith performs poetry and music in addition to leading workshops in learning environments that range from schools to detention centers. Her second album, (re)MIXED, featuring work with producers from around the world was released in February 2011. Suzi Q. is also a member of the Lady Wu-Tang Clan, one of hip hop's first successful cover groups, and one of Denver's most popular musical acts.. Her work with Hip Hop Covers Presents has found her performing many hip hop classics, in addition to promoting and performing her own songs.
Suzi Q. competed in the Women of the World Poetry Slam in March 2011 and is currently ranked third in the world. She is also a member of the 2011 Denver Mercury Cafe Slam Team, and a coach of the Denver Minor Disturbance Youth Poetry Slam Team.
Titles
• Finalist, Individual World Poetry Slam 2011• Finalist, Individual Competition, Southwest Shootout 2011
• Champion, Haiku Deathmatch Competition, Southwest Shootout 2011
• Semi–Finalist, National Poetry Slam 2011
• Champion, Silver Tongue Champion, Verse/Converse Festival 2011
• Finalist, Women of the World Poetry Slam 2011
• City Champion, Women of the World Poetry Slam Competition, 2010
• Finalist, Pablo Neruda Poetry Festival Barrio Slam, 2009 and 2011
• Finalist, Slaughterhouse Slam, 2009
• Finalist, Taos Poetry Festival Silver Tongue Slam 2009
• Coach, Slam Nuba Denver Team, 2009
• Poetry Editor, Denver Syntax, 2006–2007
• Co–director, co–founder – SlamNUBA – A performance–based competitive poetry group, 2006–present
• Poetry Editor – Denver Syntax, 2006 – 2008
Periodicals
• The Peralta Press (Alehouse Press)• In Our Own Words (Burning Bush Publications)
• Events Quarterly (www.eventsquarterly.com)
• Word is Bond (Unblind Communications)
• The Los Angeles Journal (www.losangelesjournal.com)
• Denver Syntax (www.denversyntax.com)
• Concelebratory Shoehorn Review (http://www.cshoe.blogspot.com/)
• The Pedestal Magazine (http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com/)
Anthologies
• World of Women Poetry Anthology (Poetry Slam, Inc.)• His Rib: Anthology of Women (Penmanship Books)
Collections
• 'Walk Softly (and carry an a.k.)' ISBN 978-1-4116-7737-1• 'Walk Softly (and carry an a.k.)' ISBN 978-0-5572-8636-2