Abyss

http://www.blackcottonworks.net/blackvisiononline/2005/page10.htm

Exclusive Interview with Def Poetry Jams: Abyss ~ Spoken Word Artist
::: Writer ::: Patrick "PJ" Davis :::: Photographer ::: Live Poets (ATL)

BVO: How long have you been writing poetry?
Abyss: 9 YRS

BVO: What usually inspires you to write such thought provoking poetry?
Abyss: God, Life, Death, Propoganda

BVO: What was it like performing for Def Poetry Jam?
Abyss: It was life changing for me because this was the first time I could let a large amount of people hear what I had to say globally. I got a chance to perform in front of celebrities that I looked for inspiration from such as Mos Def, Jill Scott, Dave Chapelle, and Shang. Just to name a few. But the chance to perform was a blessing and Im very thankful for it.

BVO: How would you describe the poetry scene in Atlanta?
Abyss: It changes from time to time when I started everybody was hungry. Now its just a few that may be hungry and some just want to do it to get on Def Poetry Jam, but will hate it if not selected. We have been doing this way before Def Poetry Jam. Write from the heart, because your heart will not run out of ink. You get out of it what you put into it. So we are a combination of the good, the bad and the ugly. We will all exist because this is a microcosm of what society has inspired. To sum it up the scene resembles life itself.

BVO: What are some activities that Live Poets Society have done to help build the awareness for the art of spoken word?
Abyss: We have performed anywhere that would have us from churches, jails, schools, libraries, multi-cultural events and most of all our communities. (Food Drives, Boys & Girls Clubs of Atlanta). We sustained this company for 6 yrs in a city where we compete with strippers and crunk music which has a entertainment sector saturated. So we vowed to be the balance. But since we have disbanned the company and will pursue personal endeavors. We gave a platform to help people make money and most of all make a difference and we'd rather go out on a good note than a bad one. Sort of like Jordan and Jigga, I won't be far from the office, just coming back with more enhancements. Expect a whole lot more from Abyss like you've never seen.

BVO: When can we espect your next project to be released?
Abyss: In less than six months I have a band project coming with Poseidon called Destiny Music and I have 2 personal projects coming, called "Behind the Wall" & "A King Amongst Pawns". I wrote a sond on Rhonda Smith (Prince's Bass Player) new project.

BVO: How can our readers find out more about Abyss?
Abyss: Abysslivepoets@yahoo.com
Myspace.com/Abysslivepoets
laymanlyric.com
Google HBO Def Poet Abyss: For More Articles
F0r Booking 678-595-4827

BVO: Closing remarks for up and coming spoken word artist?
Abyss: Keep God 1st. It dosn't matter what you see if you donot feel anything your mess will be your message. But in time your test becomes your testimony. Make money, but make a difference first and the rest will follow. One Love, Abyss.


* * * * * - Black Vision Online

Abyss is part of
the Atlanta MoorEpics Slam
Team and performed at the national
event that took place in
Seattle in 2001. Abyss and his
team of three other individuals
performed from Atlanta to
Seattle stopping at universities,
festivals, and anywhere that
they could get their word out.
Currently, Abyss is continuing
to make frequent stops at universities
as well as working on
a CD.
Abyss characterizes his
art as performance poetry. It’s
not rap. He’s not talking about
“ice, guns, or women,” as he put
it. Instead, he wants to stir up
people’s emotions and get them
thinking about what’s going on
in this country and in their own
lives. “Words are the strongest
thing we can make. Why would
we have our mouths if we didn’t
use them,” Abyss said.
The art of slam poetry
didn’t just land in Abyss’ lap
one day; it was the death of his
mother that led him out of the
Navy and to a year and a half of
soul searching before realizing
his calling in life. “God put me
on this Earth as a messenger,”
he said. During the EAC SAB
Black History Month Coffeehouse
performance on February
23rd, Abyss spoke on the
war in Iraq, President Bush,
love and God.
“God told us that He is
perfect and that man is imperfect,
so why then, do we follow
the ways of man and not God,”
Abyss asked. “We are all individuals,
but God has the plan.”
During the performance,
Abyss performed a couple excerpts
from his upcoming CD
and gave us some love advice
through a song entitled, “I Miss
You.” “Love is out there but
there’s a lot of trial and error
that comes with it,” he said.
Before the show ended he answered
some questions and expanded
about some of the ideas
and thoughts he had through
his poetry and songs.
Life is poetry and Abyss
performs for the love of that art.
He doesn’t want to change your
mind; he just wants to keep it
open. - University of St. Francis School Newspaper 2005