Okantah, The Muntu Kuntu Energy Poet
Spoken Word, Jazz, Blues, Reggae and World Music
[Okantah] challenges us to close generational divides, go beneath the surface of consumer culture, overturn the contradictions of American democracy and rediscover ourselves. Finally ... poetry ... that bridges the gap between the Black Arts Movement and the hip hop explosion. Mwatabu Okantah is a clear voice, reminding us of the Black poet's responsibility to rhyme and resist.
Bakari Kitwana, Author, The Hip Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis of African American Culture
Sister of the Masks
Satimbe
Dogon Peoples of Mali
When he went to Africa I knew they would claim this unclaimed bard. Deep dark mystic of the mighty sea. See, I told you he would be one with the one nation under a groove. Like Public Enemy, Okantah understands what it means to 'Fight The Power.' A committed teacher and artist. An artist committed to teach. He is a truth seeker. Miles and Miles. Energy like PJ2 (Philly Joe Jones). Energy like Prince. Energy like Spike Lee. Energy like Jayne Cortez. Energy like Amiri Baraka. Sun Ra. Larry Neal. Wu Tang Clan....Tell me Mr. D. J. Can you play Okantah's music? Not the last poets. The First Poet. Searing. Seething. Telling. Wheeling. This Deep Dark Mystic of the Mighty Sea. Poetical Terror. Idiomatic and Ideological. Sharer of gifts. Iconographic. Creator of new space language. Strong Man. Sterling Brown recognized Okantah as a Strong Man. Strong poet.
Too Black. Too Strong. Trop!
Okantah I: The Muntu Kuntu Energy Poet.
James G. Spady, Philadelphia New Observer
