In honor of National Poetry Month, “The Godfather of Spoken Word” TAALAM ACEY is bringing his acclaimed all-star SPOKEN WORD APEX to Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Street, on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 7 p.m.

“Spoken Word Apex brings together some of performance poetry's most acclaimed artists for an epic, immersive live experience,” says Acey, the event’s award-winning, Newark, NJ-born, Georgia-based poet-curator and executive producer. “I have assembled the best of the best to compose an indelible blend of pure emotion and transformative impact. This will be one of Spoken Word’s most iconic nights."

The superstar line-up includes four Atlanta-based artists who have enjoyed national prominence:  

Tamika "Georgia Me" Harper is a proud "Ghetto Belle" and decorated verbal powerhouse known for starring in Russell Simmons’ Tony Award winning, “Def Poetry Jam on Broadway" and appearing in the box-office favorite, "Madea Goes to Jail."

Queen Sheba is a self-described Spoken Word artist, motivational speaker, comedian, and bathroom concert singer. The multiple slam winner, author and Grammy nominee was a featured performer on TV One’s “Verses and Flow,” BET’s “Lyric Café” and “106 & Park,” “The Apollo,” and the feature film “Spit.”

Derrick “Abyss” Graham, an author, self-taught musician, Hip-Hop artist, and community activist, received a Peabody Award for his appearance on the first season of HBO’s “Def Poetry.” He was the first poet to appear on BET’s “106 & Park,” and has since been featured on “Somebodies,” “Lyric Café,” the “12th Annual Gospel Choice Awards,” and more.

Theresa Tha Songbird, is a Grammy-nominated poet, vocalist, and writer famous for her iconic poem “You So Black.” She is featured with S.I.R. and Bridgette Kelly on Robert Glasper’s “F*ck Yo Feelings” album and has performed and recorded with The Last Poets and Nikki Giovanni.

Other giants gracing the stage include:

The most successful poet in the history of poetry slam, the Ohio-raised, L.A.-based, Emmy-nominated poet/actor Ed Mabrey has garnered 500 wins, which include four World Championships. Mabrey was an NAACP Image Award Nominee and 2019 APCA Spoken Word Artist of the Year. He’s been featured on ABC, FOX, HBO, CNN and TV One. His recordings include “The Black Pearl Sessions” and “Undressed.”

Red Storm and She Barz from Chicago, L.A.’s Food4Thought, Obbie West from Las Vegas, Savannah’s She Pharaoh, and Baltimore’s B Rockstar.

For Acey, the “God’s Work” and “She Conjurez,” poet and author whose words have been featured on TV One, the Documentary Channel, BET, and “The 5ive,” this event provides him with a chance to showcase what makes spoken word poetry the dynamic artform it is. 

“I have always held that this is among the most spiritual and impactful of art forms,” Acey recently said to NJNarts.net after a heralded staging of Spoken Word Apex at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. “The best performance poets can move you to laughter and/or tears, and help you find a new lease on life. At the highest level, it’s not recitation or performance. It’s energy transfer.”

For more information and tickets ranging from an early bird $30 to $75 for VIP, visit here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spoken-word-apex-atlanta-tickets-856239333897