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"Ill Poets" Have Web Site, New CD

By Nicole Reed
Black College Wire

Illpoets.com has grown from an idea shared between two friends to a full-fledged collective of Washington, D.C.-area poets, songwriters, spoken-word artists and musicians. Three of the four executive producers are graduates of Howard University, and they aim to spread their craft to the public through a Web site, and now through a CD, "All Seasons."

Photo credit: illpoets.com "We're doing for poetry what Wu Tang did for hip-hop," said H.J. Lee Bennett III.

"The artists featured on the LP and the Web site love the spoken-word art form and love to share," said Rasheem Rooke, Howard University director of special student services, who is one of the executive producers and an artist on "All Seasons."

"We're doing for poetry what Wu Tang did for hip-hop," said H.J. Lee Bennett III, CEO and co-founder of illpoets.com. "We have many individuals doing their own thing, but they also come together as a collective group," said Bennett, who has a deep love and appreciation for poetry.

Illpoets.com began during a conversation between Bennett and a friend, Dionicio Neblett, when Neblett expressed his desire to start the site. A few days later, the two agreed to begin a project that Bennett says took him on "a journey of personal and creative change/growth that I would never have imagined."

Bennett, who was already doing poetry, approached poets whom he admired and respected about the idea for the Web site. They were artists who frequented the local open mic circuit and whose work he was familiar with.

The site, first launched in January 2001 featuring six poets, has gone through three stages of revamping and growth to include more than 15 artists. It now profiles local songwriters, spoken-word artists, musicians and poets who want to help others gain appreciation for the spoken word.

Illpoets.com includes links, reviews and a store in which solo projects of the artists can be purchased.

"All Seasons" contains pieces and performances by many of the artists featured on the site. The project started in 2002 and is intended to serve as a complement to illpoets.com's live performances.

"I want to have others identify with me and what I'm feeling when I speak," said Rooke, who became involved with illpoets.com about five years ago. "I try to use my skills to show people other sides of me."

"I want to let people see that there is serious talent in D.C.," said Andre Williams, an executive producer on the CD, whose experience in the music industry attracted Barrett's attention. "It is rare that you get to hear all of the unique styles out there because you hear so much of the same stuff, and I want people to see the talent in D.C. that is non-stereotypical."

Nicole Reed, a student at Howard University, writes for The Hilltop.

Posted Dec. 15, 2004