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Spoken word

Portrait of a Myanmar poet wearing a blue shirt.

A spoken word poet in Myanmar speaks out against hate and injustice

Arts, Culture & Media

Than Toe Aung faced years of discrimination and harassment as a Muslim in Myanmar. When he discovered the power of slam poetry, he decided to use it as a tool to speak out, unite and fight for justice.

Radio Rookie

Arts, Culture & Media

The Ceiling Above the Couch

Arts, Culture & Media
The Pop Up Archive interface lets users jump around in an audio recording by clicking on the accompanying text.

A California startup tries to capture the elusive spoken word — and make it searchable

Technology
A mural showing Gil Scott-Heron and his trademark phrase, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," is the backdrop for protesters marching through the streets of New York in 2012, demanding justice for slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.

A song title from the ’70s is still a rallying cry for protesters across the world

Culture
Aysha el-Shamayleh reading one of her poems

Slam poetry brings honesty, and nervousness, to Jordan

Arts, Culture & Media

There’s a slam poetry underground in Amman, Jordan, and it’s mainly filled with women. A Jordanian woman brought the art form home after studying in the US and winning slam poetry contests there.

Remembering musician, artist and writer Gil Scott Heron

Arts, Culture & Media

The influential artist best known for songs like “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” Gil Scott Heron, died Friday.

Remembering Gil Scott-Heron: Musical Innovator and Rap Inspiration

Gil Scott-Heron, a Chicago-born poet who many called the “Godfather of Rap,” died Friday, at the age of 62. Scott-Heron was a musical innovator, whose spoken-word-over-jazz 1970 debut album “Small Talk at 125th and Lenox,” is often credited as year zero of rap music. The record featured songs like “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” […]

Gil Scott-Heron: Remembering a Musical Innovator and Rap Inspiration

Gil Scott-Heron, a chicago born poet who many called the “Godfather of Rap,” died Friday, at the age of 62. Scott-Heron was a musical innovator, whose spoken-word-over-jazz 1970 debut album “Small Talk at 125th and Lennox,” is often credited as year zero of rap music. The record featured songs like “The Revolution Will Not Be […]

Living on Earth:

A preview of Living on Earth’s annual holiday storytelling special. This year, we hear tales of light and darkness from around the world.