#AllThingsPOETRY: Black Ice

'Before poetry was big business there was Lamar Manson, known throughout the spoken word community as Black Ice. Black Ice is a prolific artist, whose stage performances bridge the gap between hip-hop and poetry. Circa 1993, Black Ice's spellbinding presence, combined with writing that speaks to the common man, helped to bring poetry out of the coffee houses and into the mainstream, simultaneously ...

creating a career as a dynamic performer whose talents proliferate television, radio and theater. Because of his intense love for children and youth, his message can also be heard in classrooms and lecture halls across the country. Black Ice, has lent his genius to the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia, and has made feature TV appearances on BET (Live 8 Concert Special, Rap City the Basement and 106th & Park) and NBC (Showtime at the Apollo), in addition to starring in five consecutive seasons of HBOs Def Poetry Jam. The New York Post has rated his live performance diamond brilliant. He was cast as a lead member in Def Poetry on Broadway, which went on to win the 2003 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event. Black Ices talents are also showcased on releases by Pete Rock, Method Man and Fabolous. But the works that more closely define Black Ices personal vision are those where he uses his craft to uplift the masses. Public engagements such as performances for Seeking Harmony in Neighborhoods Everyday (SHiNE), the Rainbow/PUSH Coalitions Wall Street Project Conference, the Congressional Black Caucus and the ACLU allow Black Ice to demonstrate his concern for the future of all people through his art. He has also been featured in national radio and television advertising campaigns including spots on BET and VH1. If you walked into your average open mic venue and asked any of the poets showcasing their talents, if they would be satisfied being on HBOs Def Poetry Jam for five seasons running, winning a Tony Award for Def Poetry on Broadway, touring with multi-platinum artist Musiq and receiving the Hip-Hop Quotable from the Source Magazine, not to mention being hailed by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best thing on Method Mans 2004 release, Tical 0: the Prequel, and they would probably admit, that theyd be happy if someone just acknowledged their craft. But for one poet, born in Philadelphia as Lamar Manson-- the first poet ever signed to a major label-- hes just doing his job, and making sure that at least as far as hes concerned, the message always comes first.' Ladies and Gentlemen, Black Ice.

The Ugly Show by Black Ice

It’s a hard pill to swallow

When the laws you follow are enforced on land your ancestors were wrongfully mounted on

And the very principles this country’s founded on can’t be counted on in times of

Crisis and confusion.

What an illusion they’ve pulled off on us: misused and lost our trust too many times

But ain’t too many rhymes been written about this.

So I’m pissed because for some odd reason,

We feel it’s better that less is said                         

But for Gods sakes niggas,

They left us for dead.

Dyin!!

And there’s no denyin’ those fathers cryin’ with their families sidewalk ridden.

What was so cleverly hidden is now in plain vision for all to see.

We want ya’ll to see how this country does its poor and down trodden.

This, is an instance that must not be forgotten. It’s for keeps!

Long after the media sweeps political name calling and lying.

Cinematography has de-sensitized the eye so we don’t cry no more when we see people dying in despair,   

we don’t care.                              

We just change the station.

We live in a nation where the poor have nothing but time to spend

So we’re left waiting, tailgating flood waters outside the SuperDome

Home no more shown no more love than some of them “3rd world” countries we take over.

This the real rape over!!

And this ain’t young boy, frustrated emotion,

This is grown man rationale.

It’s hard to admit my national don’t give a fuck about its own but

The evidence is clear enough to stack it up.

Kanye just made a statement; I’m here to back it up!!!

It’s true.

We live in a beautiful world but ugly souls push the buttons

the gluttons of society

top priority: making sure the rich folk stay rich folk

pitch fork type thinking.

New Orleans’ was sinking. This is no new issue.

The ninth ward has been the tissue that the city wipes its ass with.

Like in the pass with the historical first flood

Way before Bush contracted Halliburton to restore back the order.

They used dead black bodies to try and hold back the water.

Such disorder in a country that burns so much money

I’m tellin’ you! you learn so much Money when you just

Open up a book and look inside. That’s where they hide the evidence!

These fucked up presidents and their constituents

Pit you against your own mind here. Fuck up your mind here.

Yeah, they got opportunities and jobs for the poor.

It’s called prison life and warfare.

Nigga!! That’s your share of the American pie.

But you gotta Lie Steal and cheat to get it

Step on someone’s feet to get it and… our toes have been swollen for so long

They do us so wrong but, we just stand here and take it

Nature’s ripped the mask off so now they can’t fake it

We stand here butt naked NIGGA.

This is your nations poor

But you still turn around and ask us for our kids for war!!!

What about those battalions from the Bayou that don’t know what their over there fighting for.

What the fuck can you possibly say to them?

When they learn their parents died casualties of the war on poverty waiting for help outside a fucking stadium.