"Sell-Out or Sell-In"

Recently, and more specifically, in the last 12 months there has been a plethora of advertising utilising spoken word artists and poetry. Is this a problem?

Personally speaking, I like them. What I like about them is that they are putting spoken word and poetry in front of a wider and more mainstream audience, which can only benefit the art of poetry and spoken word.

Well-known spoken word artists such as, Hollie McNish, Sabrina Mahfouz, Amy Acre and Matt Abbott are just some that have taken part in this form of advertising (see below), using their work alongside corporate branding and organisations.

There are some, however, that have not found this a good way to 'promote' our art-form. Instead they are signposting it as fellow poets and lyricists selling out in order to make money - see video below from poet and spoken word artist, Luke Wright.

What is clear is that these poets are being paid to do a service, but what I ask you is to please look deeper. Yes, they did get paid to produce these pieces, but it is THEIR words, not the corporate companies they are deemed to be promoting.

The words spoken in these ads come from them and they are powerful, poignant and reminiscent. What they are doing is opening up spoken word and poetry to a whole new audience, which can only benefit the art.

I honestly do not see how this can cause any harm.

Poetry is more than anger and promoting the fight against 'the man' - obviously this still has it's place, but like with anything it has grown and evolved into a much wider medium.

So, well done to these poets for reaching out and taking a risk to promote their words and the art they love.