This is result of when poetry becomes music and more, performed with energy that rivals rock & roll, and still hip-hop in its truest form.
The 5th L is a Baltimore-based but nationally traveled spoken-word poetry group which is made up of David Ross/Native Son and Femi Lawal/The Dri Fish. They are an action packed poetry experience that delivers spoken word with the skilled theatrics of a Broadway show and the high energy a rap artist exerts on stage and yet able to maintain the poetic integrity of Langston Hughes to entertain and enlighten audiences.
The 5th L has released 3 full length and well received albums. Performed at numerous conferences, festivals, clubs and concerts. Toured over 50 colleges throughout the states of MD, DC, VA, PA, NY, SC, TX, MA, OH. Recently recorded live for B.E.T Jazz’s show entitled Lyric Café due to air during the fall/spring 2008/2009. As a duo and band, they have shared stages with international recording artists such as Musiq Soulchild, Saul Williams, Ursula Rucker, Raheem DeVaughn, The Last Poets, Fertile Ground, Jaguar Wright, and KRS-One. And in response to The 5th L’s continuous work in the Baltimore city community, Reginald F. Lewis Museum has featured them and their works, written and audio for reading and listen as a permanent exhibit in the museum.
The 5th L is not only skilled in performance poetry, but is known to host events as well as their own venues. They have committed their talents to avidly introducing creative writing classes to elementary through high school students, after school programs, detention centers through out Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. As well as facilitate a violence intervention program at The University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center (VIP).
The 5th L has a passion for artistic expression and with their words they intend to inspire the planet in a positive way using their lyrical content to provoke thought.
