Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"In the midst of the spoken word craze that has recently pervaded the world of hip-hop, POETREE, a Chicago-based collective of emcees, poets and vocalists, is interested in providing quality entertainment. And they are also intent on uprooting racial and musical stereotypes, and planting seeds of cultural pride and political revolution through vocal performance and youth outreach programs. "
Article Link: http://www.ccchronicle.com/paper/arts.php?id=1270
- The Columbia Chronicle Online by J. Diamond Weathersby
"Poetree is Chicago's Best Kept Secret" - www.groundwerksinc.com
"This was one of the tightest albums that I've heard and believe me I have heard many. The album flowed from start to finish and the concepts or conceptual deliveries were unique and original. The interludes made sense, unlike some other albums I have heard (major and independent). The creativity and chemistry is there. If I didn't know POETREE would I buy their album or be interested in buying it...YES! One of the best I have heard. It fits my listening ear and spirit. Excellent job! I am proud to have given my critiques. PEACE, POWER, PROSPERITY, and HEALTH! God Bless and continued success! Hotep!" - Written by Pharaoh 3-60
"OHMYGOD! HIP HOP OPERA!!?? ANYONE'S IN THE CHI'S UNDERGROUND CAN RELATE. THIS SHOULD BE CHICAGO'S NEW BUSINESS ANTHEM! IS THAT ISA? HOLLA AT ME! THE BACKGROUND COMMENTS BLEND LIKE SO MUCH OF THE B.S. SYMPHONY WE'VE ALL HEARD, IN AND OUT LIKE VIOLINS CLASHING IN PERFECT CHAOTIC HARMONY!!!! HOLD ON...LET ME CALL RUSSELL"
(Comments about Track 6, "Don't Talk Just Do", on the "POSITIVE POLLUTION" Album) - Mahogany Blue Communications
"POETREE's unity movement has garnered the attention of the entire city!"...."POETREE represents a move towards independence and self-determination." - Rolling Out
"Audiences have written off hip hop as a form of music that glorifies violence and sex. Although they have a rough road ahead of him, the members of POETREE Chicago is here to change all of that." - The Tribune Marquee (Milwaukee, WI)
"This group is a neo-genre!" - Underlined Magazine
Discography
Album- "Positive Pollution" released April 2004
EP- "Hip Hopetry", 2003
Compilation- "First Mic Thrown", 2003
Compilation- "Evidence of Things Unseen", 2002
Compilation- "Deep Cuts in Rebels Blood", 2001
Compilation- "Blood In My Eye", 2001
Compilation- "Liberation", 2001
EP- "Poetree Chicago", 2000
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
POETREE began in February 1999 as a collective of artists, actors, poets, emcees and singers who were faced with a cloud of negativity, exploitation, and redundant rhetoric that plagued each of their respective art forms. POETREE is an acroynym meaning, Peoples Organized Entertainment Teaching Righteous Education Everywhere. Their message has reached all types of audiences, from the open mics, to the theater, to the schools, to the studio, and most importantly to the people. Phenom, Brother Mike, Isa Starr, and Rhythm, collectively, strive to create positive music that entertains the mind and the soul. The group has continued to work throughout the Chicago community and the country. They have performed with some of the greatest artists in poetry and music such as: Common, Mos Def, Amel Larrieux, Sonia Sanchez, Talib Kweli, N'Dambi, Cee-Lo, The Roots, Roy Ayers, Erykah Badu, Dead Prez, The Last Poets, KRS One, Big Dady Kane, John Legend, and Floetry. POETREE released their first (independently-produced) album entitled "Positive Pollution" April 2004 which sold out of local stores in 5 months. POETREE has been nominated the Chicago Music Award for Best Spoken Word/Poetry Performance in 2002, 2003, and 2005. They were also rewarded a position in the Illinois Arts Council traveling Roster for their Artistic Expression Workshop which targets at risk youth. The workshop teaches youth to implement hip-hop culture and African empowerment as a means of violence prevention and to obtain knowledge of self and history. POETREE wants to spark a revolution in music with "Positive Pollution". For Booking: Contact dropskwod@gmail.com OR www.myspace.com/poetreechicago
Links
