SO DEF, SO FRESH
Interview by Danielle Eliska Lyle
I remember watching the launch of Def Poetry Jam with respect and amazement. I sat and soak in ballads, blank verse, dramatic monologue, narratives and ode styles of poetry, as griots spit words from their souls. I was captivated by delivery and focus. The words invoked tears, laughter, thought, perspective, passion and growth. I devoured the idiom and digested the meaning. I became them and they became me.
There exists a man behind this theory. His temple represents truth and is adorned with the passion and faith that extends to the mountaintop and reaches low in the valleys. Bruce George, the mastermind of Def Poetry Jam, delivers verses on the birth of Hip Hop, triumph over adversity, his exit from corporate America and the 2008 release of The Bandana Republic, a Literary Anthology by Gang Members and their Affiliates.
“I’m an old school Hip Hop head from the Bronx, New York. I was blessed to be a part of Hip Hop culture from its inception. I was an MC in the late 70’s. That’s when I cut my teeth as a writer and performer. The zeitgeist at the time was one of uncertainty for a lot of people in struggle—we made due with what we had. Hence, on fertile ground, Hip Hop was born. Our music classes were cut so we beat on school desks and used our mouths as drum machines—beat boxing. Our art classes were deemed fiscally burdensome, so we drew on walls, creating one of Hip Hop’s elements— graffiti. I was born and raised in Hip Hop culture. It has shaped my entire being—from the way I walk, talk, maneuver and ultimately, survive” the talented Bruce George told AffluentMag.com.
In 1999, while Bruce George was on the Spoken Word circuit out of a Brownstone he rented in Park Slope Brooklyn, he had an epiphany while watching Def Comedy Jam.
“I said to myself, ‘comedians have a mic, an audience and a stage and that’s exactly the same platform we use to deliver our message.’ I believed it would make perfect sense to have a poetry version of the Def Jam brand. At that time I only bookmarked the idea since I had no way of getting at Russell and nothing was crystallized at the time as far as my thoughts being put down on paper.“
Bruce heard that Russell Simmons’ big brother, Danny Simmons, hosted poetry and art showings at his house/gallery in Brooklyn. Bruce decided to visit and had the opportunity to meet Danny. They broached over the possibility of there being a Def Poetry Jam.
“He was open to the idea, but wasn’t convinced it could be sold to Russell. Eventually, Danny and I met with Bob Sumner of Def Comedy Jam. The meeting was very pivotal. I laid out my vision and they were very receptive. Danny asked me to generate a proposal so he could get it to Russell. I had an affiliation with Debra Pointer who had taken notes as I explained to her my vision. A week later, Debra generated a 30-page proposal. Danny then set up a meeting with Russell. We pitched the Def poetry Jam idea and he decided to lend his name and influence to the project.”
From a 12-tour the show was chosen by HBO for a 4-show pilot, which turned into 6 seasons to date. The rest is history.
As a black businessman, there are obstacles Bruce has faced. There has been much opposition towards implementing ideas. He tells us how he has overcome adversity.
“What I have learned is that often we get in our own way of success. Going into business is a great way of finding out a lot about yourself and how you handle or don’t handle pressure. Also, it’s very telling in terms of your amount of faith or lack of faith in God and yourself.”
Bruce believes in order to be a true entrepreneur you must have the faith and patience of Job.
“You have to have a non-retreat attitude towards not going back to corporate America no matter what happens. For me it’s been over 8 years since I left the job market, and by the grace of God I have not gone back. I have overcome every obstacle by having a great relationship with God, which had given me the wherewithal to press forward, when I felt like giving up.”
The phrase, “If you want to hide something from a black person, put it in a book” has been a quote used throughout history. I asked Bruce his thoughts and how it applies to today’s time and space.
“Statements like that are rooted in a racist ideology that holds no merit. In all races you will have people who are ignorant and lazy. And in all races you will have people who are brilliant and who have laid the foundation upon which we all benefit to this very day. Don’t let me mention the thousands of Black Inventers who invented the information that goes into those books! We are currently in what’s called the “Communication Age” where we are digesting information at alarming rates. Even though actual book sales are down, books are being downloaded online or recorded on CDs. Believe or not, we are reading now more than ever.
“I am blessed to be well-versed in philosophy, psychology and classic literature. I’m most passionate about being there for people in struggle. My mandate from God is to be of service. God has also blessed me to have an incredible business savvy that is very natural since I’m currently an Executive Consultant for over 10 different companies and haven’t taken a business course in my life. A lot of my drive is rooted in survival.” Bruce laughs and reveals, “Poverty is a great motivator.”
Bruce’s intellect is solidified through experience and his outlook on life. His greatest influences are Amiri Baraka, Willie Perdomo, Pablo Neruda, Dr. Sonia Sanchez, Reggie Gibson, Sekou Sundiata and Louis Reyes Rivera.
“I love their work. Most of them come out of the Black Arts Movement. Their work is very iconoclastic—social, political and interpersonal. Their work speaks to people in struggle and their free verse intoxicates the soul. They all have made me more conscious about who I am in the macrocosm of life and politics. My favorite aspect of Black History is the fact that it is World History. The world has benefited and continues to benefit from our knowledge, labor, sweat, equity and tutelage.
“My greatest inspiration is God. My second greatest inspiration is to do all I can for everyone I can, in the least amount of time. My family inspires me to be in a space where I can provide a safety net for their needs. One of my goals is to be a Minister for the Lord. Another is for me to mentor thousands of so-called troubled youth to turn their lives around and actualize their potential.”
Stop the Violence is a 22-city tour with ex-current gang members to offset gang violence in hotbed areas of inner cities. Bruce’s gang anthology The Bandana Republic, a Literary Anthology by Gang Members and their Affiliates is used as a catalyst for the tour. The myspace page for the book is: www.myspace.com/thebandanarepublic and Bruce’s personal myspace page is: www.myspace.com/brucegeorge
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