tai allen [vicelounge]

Creative is the best word to define me. Since, i am unable to concentrate on one art form. it is not that i cannot, it is more that i find different mediums as pathways and conduits to a tone. writing has always been the cornerstone of my creativity. i spent my High School years as a battle MC, who could turnaround and give the prettiest gals in school a haiku to save us from a boring design class. i wrote my first poetry book to my HS girlfriend, to help her navigate her boring nights at Ohio University.

the structure and organization of writing prose and poetry is present in my other disciplines. 

music is my second lover. she, like so many others before me, seduced me at a tender age. i cannot remember which classic tune changed my life, i think it was an orgy of acts and songs. there are too many jams from marley to aretha to norman connor to the stone roses to gil scot-heron to the beatles; songs that make my soul erupt into a fire-smile.  i carry the energy learned from these and other personal classics when i create.

design was an early love too. though coming after my first two partners. in third grade i was taught to design buildings. literally, i was given an apple and design program. the instructor showed us how to map out blueprints and give them life as structures. 

i was hooked. 

adding structure to my natural penchant for pomp and circumstance makes tai allen a very vicious boy.

-- shows --

Apollo Theater - artist and producer - Music Cafe
National Poetry Awards 2010 Winner – best album
WordPulp Slam – Oklahoma City – (2x)
Organix Soul/Organix Soul Festival 2010 – Host/Featured (3X)
ACT 2001 – Holland Music/Writing Festival – Headliner/presenter
Bull City – Durham, NC
Nuyorican Poets Caf? Slam– NYC

-- writings/essays --
Bomb Magazine – May 1996
Uptown Magazine Online – August 2009
The NYC Underground – French Expose on NY Underground scene
Daily Challenge – NYC Black Daily Newspaper – Writer
easy readin – chapbook- sold 200+
Eugene Lang/New School using works and theories in classes

-- music --

for easy readin – 2010 – featured on BET/CentricTV | Okayplayer | Nu-Soul Magazine
recordbreakin presents vicelounge – 2008 – featured on Reebok Campaign | Soultracks
canned goods (love music promo) – 2011 – full release 4/4/11
videos: BET/Centric | Pillows Redux | One day my mother