The Students Union at UWE | Bags and Baggage | Sense of Belonging | Organised by Bethel Ekaette.
In this talk, Danny 'Craft-D' Carlo explores the crossovers between rap and poetry as technical artforms and crucial outlets for self-expression, making the argument that rap music should be studied in schools. He has always had a deep interest in both contemporary hip-hip and traditional page poetry. Delving into the ancient and modern history of the artform he asks why rap is currently ignored by the academic establishment. How rap and poetry can create important connections and be a tool for self-expression, particularly for the young people he has worked with. He makes the case for the crucial social and cultural role that modern rap has in our society, how race and class play a part in what is lauded as 'genius', and uses engaging examples to explore the technical and emotional components that connect rap and poetry together. He finishes with an excerpt from his performance piece 'This Is Hip-Hop, This Is Poetry'.
Danny ‘Craft-D’ Carlo is a rapper, poet, writer, educator and cultural producer from London, now living in Bristol, UK. His work explore the crossovers between forms associated with traditional poetry and contemporary hip-hop. His educational workshops and arts projects seek to make poetry and rap engaging and accessible for everyone, using them positive outlet for self-expression, mental health and connection.
He has reached #1 in the iTunes UK Hip-Hop chart, amassed hundreds of thousands of views across social media, and charted in the official Top 40 UK Downloads Chart. He is a former 2x UK Battle Rap Champion on Don’t Flop. He has been featured on major channels such as ITV News and BBC 1Xtra, and performed at iconic venues such as Ministry of Sound, 02 Academy Bristol and Roundhouse London. He is Director of Raise the Bar, the South West’s leading spoken word events platform which champions a diverse range of writers, lyricists and storytellers, and is Co-Director of Lyra - Bristol Poetry Festival.
“Craft-D continually raises expectations of what poetry can be contained within hip-hop. Visionary, challenging and inspirational.” - Joelle Taylor
"Amazing. His lyrics are fantastic.” - Lowkey Danny ‘Craft-D’ Carlo is a rapper, poet, educator, writer, and events producer from London, now living in Bristol, UK. His performances explore the crossovers between forms associated with traditional poetry and contemporary hip-hop. His educational workshops and arts projects seek to make poetry and rap engaging and accessible for everyone, working from the firm belief that poetry and music are a positive outlet for self-expression and mental health. In late 2020, his debut single 'Letter to Corbyn' reached #1 in the iTunes UK Hip-Hop chart, amassing hundreds of thousands of views across social media. He is a former 2x UK Battle Rap Champion. He has been featured on major channels such as ITV News and BBC 1Xtra, and performed at iconic venues such as Ministry of Sound and Roundhouse London. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx