Spoken-word - Definition and Overview

Spoken word is a form of music or artistic performance in which lyrics, poetry, or stories are spoken rather than sung. Spoken-word is often done with a musical background, but emphasis is kept on the speaker.

One of the most common sorts of spoken word performances is performance poetry, where a poet either reads previously-published poems, or reads poems specifically written to be performed aloud. Another kind that has gained popularity in recent years is political and social commentary, done in such a way that it is, while still prose, somewhat more artistic than a typical speech. Spoken word artists are often poets and musicians.

Artists known for spoken word performances and recordings

• Performance poetry:
  • Jack Kerouac
  • William S. Burroughs
  • Exene Cervenka
  • bpNichol
  • Allen Ginsberg
  • The Four Horsemen
  • Susan McMaster
  • Colin Morton
  • Andrew McClure
  • First Draft
  • Geode Music & Poetry
  • Tom Waits

• Political and social commentary:
  • Noam Chomsky
  • Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
  • Bill Hicks
  • Charles Kernaghan
  • Alix Olson
  • Michael Parenti
  • Gil Scott-Heron

• Both:
  • Saul Williams
  • Jello Biafra
  • Henry Rollins
  • Ani DiFranco
  • Garrison Keillor
  • Timothy Leary
  • John Trudell