Spoken word is an oral poetic performance art that is based mainly on the poem as well as the performer's aesthetic qualities. It is a 20th-century continuation of an ancient oral artistic tradition that focuses on the aesthetics of recitation and word play, such as the performer's live intonation and voice inflection. Spoken word is a "catchall" term that includes any kind of poetry recited aloud, including poetry readings, poetry slams, jazz poetry, pianologues, musical readings, and hip hop music, and can include comedy routines and prose monologues. Unlike written poetry, the poetic text takes its quality less from the visual aesthetics on a page, but depends more on phonaesthetics, or the aesthetics of sound.
Spoken-word poet Omar Musa reading his work at the Jaipur Literature Festival
Kenyan spoken word poet Mumbi Macharia
Megborna performing at the First Kvngs Edition of the Megborna Concert, 2019
Judges from a poetry slam listen to the contestants.
A poetry slam is a competitive art event in which poets perform spoken word poetry before a live audience and a panel of judges. While formats can vary, slams are often loud and lively, with audience participation, cheering and dramatic delivery.
Nuyorican Poets Cafe, New York City
Marc Smith
Poetry slam in Paide, Estonia
Bob Holman