Erwin X, his refrain "life haad out yah" has become an anthem for people suffering everywhere. In fact we'll guess that even the prime minister must say it when he faces angry crowds of protestors. But while he may be remembered for penning an anthemic refrain to desperate times, Erwin X has been writing and performing poetry for at least the past 6 years and, as we found out, in a sense he grew up right in front of us, on television.
Keith Swift Reporting,
When we first met him in 1999 Erwin Jones was a poet on the rise - socially and aesthetically conscious: meaning that his verse was angry, but his image was anything but. In the five years since, he's morphed form that young eager to impress pretty-boy into a proper prophet of rage - a black activist with his community at heart.
Erwin X, Poet
"They have the power to change conditions when they find the conditions are hostile to their very existence. I want them to see that they have inalienable rights enshrined in the constitution as citizens in this nation that are not conducive to a healthy environment and to a healthy living."
Now Erwin has released a CD of his poems because he has to get his message out:
Erwin X,
"It is through the spoken word that many revolutions in nations of the past have occurred and have been brought about. So poetic recitation, and poetry on a whole, when it is done in the proper way has its own power and I will not knock music but sometimes our people get distracted by music and they forget to listen to the lyrics. This is why I choose this particular way and style to reach our people."
The CD has 11 poems including the street anthem: "life haad out ya" and the bitter "ghetto food."
Erwin X,
"There's a reason why there are only eleven poems, see the eleven represent judgement and I chose eleven for a very particular reason and now I selected the poems based on the time and issues affecting us as a people.
I have poems that speak to the social conditions and the political conditions, calling on people to bring about meaningful and positive change."
Now we wait for the next incarnation of Erwin from poet, to prophet to maybe...politician? We don't know, but we'll wait and see.
Ghetto Food, the CD is available from Erwin at Xpress Designz.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
