A powerful poem by Abdul Hammoud, directed by Charles Williams, filmed by Aaron Farrugia

Accra-based poet, musician and filmmaker GhaliLeo released this video a few days ago, influenced by African-American jazz, hip hop, metaphysics and neocolonialism

Aja Monet’s new EP is a courageous collection coming from deep within the living art of storytelling.

Woke up to some nice news this morning (in the south) as spoken word maestro Ken Nordine posted (in the evening of the north) this message:

“Guess what? A 94 years old guy called me (who doesn’t know better yet) has had a big fun of putting together a new CD called “bits & pieces”... Your Honor, forgive me. I confess… I am guilty again of having committed Word Jazz. I couldn’t help myself… I had to do it. And the woman I’ve been married to for nearly 70 years told me I’d better do it… Playing the age card, silly”

“A funeral party for the age of materialism.” Tramp the dirt down.

Video from Aja Monet for the captivating spoken word track You Make Holy War. Shot and edited by Cam Be, it’s haunting, as is the poem. A perfect collaboration between poetry, music and visuals.

Denice Frohman is an award-winning poet, lyricist, and educator, whose multicultural upbringing inspires her to explore the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and the “in-betweeness” that exists in us all. 2013 was a big year for Denice, with major wins, collaborations, and a new album. 

Last week, Puerto Rican hip hop artist Ikol Santiago released this video for a track from his April ’13 album Iguacas.

Cuban-Jamaican, Brooklyn born, Paris-based. Poet, activist, teacher, Aja Monet’s beautiful, inspiring video with Cam Be.

“I get most of my wisdom from woman. I practice it on my brothers.” In the track Us, Aja Monet roll-calls her women as the track cites James Brown’s It’s a Man’s World … “my litany for survival”. The track sets up an album that quietly but firmly secures Aja’s place in my own roll-call of inspirational women.

If you want a global update on the hottest women Hip Hop artists right now, check this generous mixtape from Nomadic Wax.