Spoken word with a message

The act of the spoken word goes way beyond speech. It can involve rhythm and rhyme, though not necessarily. And more heart and performance than just words.

Marc Bamuthi Joseph and fellow spoken word artist Ise Lyfe are doing a show tonight – along with other performers – at the Skirball Cultural Center, as part of the Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution show called Breakin’ Down the Beat.

It’s a tribute to beat poetry from the 1950s and ’60s.

KCRW’s Steve Chiotakis spoke with Joseph and Lyfe about the messages they’re bringing to audiences through their spoken word performances.

Ise Lyfe “The Day Hip Hop Died”:

Marc Bamuthi Joseph on Snap Judgment LIVE! “Molly”: