Recently, the entertainment world has been blessed with a cadre of well-meaning performance artists that deliver thought provoking, substantive additives full of music and poetry. These artists who are giving birth to a poetic movement are often referred to as the underground poetry scene. First with the Last Poets, Sonia Sanchez, Saul Williams, Jessica Care Moore and now those featured on Def Poetry (HBO); they give us the much-needed respite from mainstream entertainment.
That leaves the question: What's next? Can the industry continue its momentum or can we use an evolution?
The answer to that question is an inarguable "yes" we need evolution.
Enter poetess, songwriter, novelist Kasema Kalifah (pronounced Kah-see-mah Kah-leaf-ah). Described as a raw visualist, sensual, organic, influencing funk house, Kasema has been known to leave you in tears, hot, and even on fire. Kasema Kalifah speaks from the heart.
Calling up Memories
Kasema Kalifah has firm roots in the center of the poetry Mecca, New York City. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, Kasema started performing at the age of 6 as a dancer with the Dance Theater of Harlem. She later extended her talents to acting and was privileged to work on and Off-Broadway with theatre greats such as George C. Wolfe. She later appeared at Nuyorican Poets Café, on various TV and commercial spots, and produced her own off-Broadway play entitled Brothers in 1997. Most recently Kasema can be heard on the Echoes Project by Les Nubians, and was featured on the albums of Grammy nominated Common, and Talib Kweli. Kasema has been blessed to work with Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Floetry and Mary J. Blige to name a few.
With her own performance efforts, she brings forth creative poetry with sensual metaphoric rhythms. Some call her mother emotion because every piece she writes is full of ground shaking emotions. Some even call her the truth. No matter what, the world needs a change and Kasema Kalifah is the one to bring it on.
She's no gimmick!
Full of Freedom, Kasema Kalifah contributes a distinctively refreshing sound.
"Kasema Kalifah projects her native NYC in a novel, almost reluctant but image-filled manner. Hers is a highpoint amongst high points as she eats watermelon on her porch contemplating what she can do to live where it is hip to live, in New York City."
http://www.soulafrica.com/wcms/index.php?id=8,24,0,0,1,0
"Chapter One: Nubian Voyagers topics and influences continue to express diversity and creativity. Another highlight is the live version of Demain that rocks so much better live using hip-hop, gospel and jazz grooves. Not to mention, Kasema Kalifahs hypnotic eccentric electro-funk bass on NYC."
-Reviewed by Giant Step contributor Sandi Soler (SandiSoler) November 2005
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