Conversations with Kiss The Poet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiss The Poet.

Hi Kiss, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was raised on the southside of Mount Vernon, NY. Specifically, the Ebony Gardens houses on 7th Ave and 3rd Street. I didn’t start writing poetry until I was 22 years old. Poetry manifested at a transitional period in my life. Prior to writing I was an absolute product of my environment. I had been an active member of the Crips since I was 15 years old and was a fugitive when my extracurricular activities forced me to lay low and slow down enough to expand my horizons. I never thought I would be a poet. I moved away from my surroundings and I read a lot of Harlem Renaissance writers in that first year on the run. I decided to challenge myself to recreate the feeling of that era with a post Hip Hop mindset. I wanted to tell the stories of my community. I wanted to be seen and valued in a world that felt like it didn’t give a shit about those who shared my vantage point. To humanize the hoodlum. When I say poetry saved my life it’s not a metaphor and cliché soundbite.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Hell nah, I had no teachers in this thing. I was self taught,and unorthodox. At 23, I joined the Navy in a random decision toward betterment, and crossed my fingers they wouldn’t find out about my warrant. They didn’t and I continued to write often. In 2013, at age 29, I got out the Navy, self-published my first book, “My Book of Rhymes”, and moved to Athens, GA. I had never performed poetry before, but I figured nobody would know I had a book if I didn’t get on a stage. For 6 months I drove 3 hours round-trip from Athens to Apache Cafe (Spring and 3rd location) Every Sunday. I fell in love with the energy and the crowd even though I had no clue what I was doing. The only thing I knew to do was to keep going. 6 months later I moved to Atlanta. I needed to be closer to that place. It became my second home. The hosts and crowd became friends. Poetry became my love. My poetry path started later than many, but I was all in.

I’ve since published a 2 part book series named, “Duality” (The Lover and The Fighter) & A spoken word album entitled, “A Southside Soliloquy”.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My authenticity sets me apart from other poets. I don’t write from the perspective of one who observed the streets and wrote about it. I dove head first off the porch and learned how to pick myself up along the way. I also wrote for almost a decade before performing. I studied literary artists, took college level creative writing courses, and read well over 200 books before touching a mic. I was obsessed once this gift was revealed to me. I’m meticulous as hell when it comes to my usage of literary devices, rhyme schemes, cadence, etc. I use to walk around with a pocket dictionary and thesaurus when I first started writing. I fell in love with this art from jump and I truly wanted to master massa’s diction and make it my own. Spittin degreeless doctoral diction drippin in the drawl of East Coast Crippin. I didn’t want to just be good. Then once I began performing, I had the good fortune and pleasure to study and receive feedback from some of the greatest artists in the world. At the time, Atlanta was buzzing with Def Poets and others who should’ve been. They recognized my hunger for the game and thought enough of my work to give me pointers on performing. They even told me when I was terrible without mincing words. The direct approach was respected, and drove me to go even harder with my efforts.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Discernment is important. There can be snakes in any grass. So, spend time around folks. See people beyond their art. Reach out to the people who do what you can’t. Ask questions. Take what you learn, apply it to you; if it fits carry it, if it doesn’t drop it. Never be the smartest in the room, but never come empty handed. Bring your talents/effort to the show. Read The 48 Laws of Power. Holla at me if you want honesty. If you want niceties go elsewhere. Love is love though.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Kiss_Thepoet