Prophets get poetic at Michigan

By Jee Chang

Daily Arts Writer

The Watts Prophets and guest Toni Blackman spoke to the hearts of the African-American community at the Michigan Theater. Education driven, the performers tried to portray the soul of hip-hop music that the media has tainted over the years. With various hip-hop artists, student speakers and a great jazz band, The Watts Prophets production showed another facet of hip-hop - the inbred culture, witty humor and deserved respect it has so longed for.

The first half of the performance was dedicated to the well-respected hip-hop artist Toni Blackman. An acclaimed rap lyricist, vocalist actress and writer, Blackman gave a passionate performance on stage. A woman of obvious dignity and pride, she identifies herself as the "woman voice for hip-hop." The lyrics to her songs were frank and true. She addressed issues of reality and love.

Blackman stood in front of the audience to use the "power of the word" to educate the public about what hip-hop is all about. Blackman truly redefined hip-hop as something soulful, spiritual and a genuine form of art. With guest performers Dada and Boogieman Ghost joining her on stage, she improvised freestyle verse on topics thrown out by the audience. Blackman spoke powerful words that made one think about the nature of the world we live in.

The second half of the performance was focused on three men who have come to be recognized as The Watts Prophets. Richard Dedeux, Amade Hamilton and Otis O'Solomon came together to address more issues or realizations of life these men found to be important. The trio began performing together in the 1960s through a writers workshop in the Watts community of Los Angeles.

Although The Watts Prophets are not young men, they give off the energy of youth and liveliness in their performing style that captures the audience. Carrying themselves with casual class, the Watts Prophets enlighten the audience with words of wisdom. "If you treat life cool, it treats you cool. If you fool with life, it has no choice but to fool with you," was one of many statements made that night. The group also addressed issues such as death, money and the importance of each person taking responsibility to make changes in the world.

The production really made the audience walk out of the theater with thoughts and issues to think about. The Watts Prophets and Toni Blackman provided an open door into a community that has endured oppression for years, a community that most people never have a chance to understand. In offering this insight, they also taught the audience to reevaluate their actions and appreciate the privileges that they have.