KCPB Presents Lyrical Lounge and Shihan the Poet

Come for Lyrical Lounge, stay for Shihan the Poet. 6:30 pm, Kennedy Center Main Lounge Free and open to the public. About Shihan the Poet: Shihan is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic spoken word artists of our generation. This National Poetry Slam Champion (2004) and National Poetry Slam Finalist(2nd in 2001, 5th in 2003 and 3rd in 2005) has been featured on a variety of media outlets such as 6 appearances on HBO’s Def Poetry, NBC, Oprah Winfrey’s Oxygen Network, Al Gore’s Current TV, Nike’s Battlegrounds, Reebok, Adidas, NBA, CNN, Artisan Films’ Belly DVD, Complex and Billboard Magazine, several national commercial spots, 5 National Tours including the Tony Award Winning Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry Jam International Tour and 2 upcoming spoken word documentaries with theatrical releases, SP!T and the sequel to 1997’s cult doc Slam Nation, Slam Planet. His abilities to transcend cultural and generational boundaries have made Shihan a much sought after talent. In addition, Shihan has independently released 2 CD’s The Poet(Best of 2005 Honorable Mention-Baltimore Sun) and Music Is The New Cotton which have both received critical praise for their honesty and creativity. “His lyrics are thoughtful and unpretentious; creating a verbal landscape that drips with sincerity.” Pop Matters Magazine “For poems closer to the truth than most would push for, 'Auction Network' and 'Robots' are what this man does best...”(5 Star rating) DJ Magazine (UK) “Shihan’s words flow without regard to iambic parameter or strained couplets. If my writing were this coherent and consistent, I’d be a Pulitzer author by now.” Metro Pop Magazine “It’s grown folks hip-hop for heads jaded by the icy pseudo thugs ruling the charts.” Remix Magazine

For more information, contact:

Kennedy Center Programming Board
kcpb@hiram.edu
Additional information at http://www.shihansback.com