The Mayhem Poets to Slam at LCCC’s Stocker Arts Center

Hip-hop beats and poetry collide when The Mayhem Poets take the stage or street – or wherever they happen to be struck with inspiration. The New York City spoken word team will share their craft with the Lorain County Community College community during a residency February 2-7.

Their visit will culminate in a free Meeting Great Minds performance at 3 p.m., Sunday, February 7 at LCCC’s Stocker Arts Center. A meet-and-greet will begin at 2:30 p.m. Though the event is free, registration is required by calling (440) 366-4949, or registering at www.lorainccc.edu/upevents.

With performances described as “The Simpsons, meets Malcolm X at a Notorious B.I.G. concert,” the poetic trio has been in the national spotlight after winning first place and a grant for $100,000 in the Miscrosoft Idea Wins Challenge in 2006. Since then, they’ve toured the world and collaborated with hip-hop legends, such as KRS ONE, and world class musicians, such as Greg Patillo (beat box flute) and Jane Hunt (violin). Their New York City educational training operation, Slam Chops, provides inspiration and opportunities for aspiring poets of all ages.

The poets – Kyle “Black Skeptik” Sutton, Scott Tarazevits and Mason Granger – will host various workshops for students during their stay at LCCC.

The Mayhem mission originated at Rutgers University in 2000, when Sutton and Tarazevits started an open-mic on campus called Verbal Mayhem. The popularity of the event convinced the young men to embark on a mission to change people’s lives and reshape society’s view of poetry.  More information on the group can be found at www.mayhempoets.com

The Mayhem Poets visit is sponsored by the LCCC University Partnership, the Beth K. Stocker Trust, the LCCC Foundation Grants Program, LCCC Student Life and with the support of the Meeting Great Minds Program.

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