Tag Archives: Patricia Smith

SlamNation: Patricia Smith – “Mad Rappin'”

Posted by Paul Devlin:

Patricia Smith is a four-time individual champion of the National Poetry Slam. A monster talent and a fierce competitor, Patricia works her magic in this poem performed in a preliminary round of the Portland Nationals. But a crowd-pleasing group piece by the Austin team threatens her chance at the championship. Witness the strategy unfold in SlamNation.

SlamNation DVD 
SlamNation Trailer

Slam Poem: Patricia Smith – “Building Nicole’s Mama”

Posted by Paul Devlin:

Patricia Smith is one of the all-time great Slam Poets, a national champion 4 times over. This piece is one of the many that show why.

In SlamNation, this poem was excerpted as part of an opening montage. Roger Ebert, who was a friend of Patricia Smith’s from her Chicago days, reviewed SlamNation and focused on his experience of being profoundly moved by this piece when he heard it live. Patricia is still out there writing books and performing. Catch her if you can!

Building Nicole’s Mama” is from Teahouse of the Almighty.

SlamNation DVD 
SlamNation Trailer