Aesthetic Elevation

Poet Taylor

RiaRob is always rooting for positive people with great minds and funny disposition. So you know I hit the motherlode when I caught up with Poet Taylor, writer, radio personality, and all around fellow funny girl.

So The Sit Down is proud to offer a seat to the lovely Poet Taylor. She gives new meaning to the phrase “Poetry in motion.”

I asked Poet:

About her radio show on WPGC…
I would like to believe that I am considered everyone’s homegirl. There is a comfort level when listening to me. I put my pants on one leg at a time. I don’t think I’m above or beyond anything. I’m just real. People who listen to me know you will very likely hear something about me on my show. I sound more like the “girl on the come up” rather than “Oh my God, it’s POET.” Many people approach me saying things like, “Wow Poet, you’re a celebrity.” I’m thinking, “No, I’m a friend, daughter, and occasional lover [laughter].” I want people to be entertained but I also want to inform. I can let people know that Jay-Z moved The Blueprint 3 up but I can also talk about how my father was diagnosed with cancer so please encourage the men in your life to go to the doctor. I live for the moments where people tell me, I remember when Poet said this, or when my friend died Poet was playing this song or send a tweet through Twitter. It feels good to have a platform to inform listeners about various music, places, and events that they were not aware of. I’m entertainment gumbo. You’re not going to get just music, or just gossip, or just sports. Lord knows I know nothing about sports. But with this mix, I want people to walk away with enough so when following Sunday, they will think, “Oh, it’s Sunday. Poet’s on.”

On being coined as the next Wendy Williams…
When I was on 92Q, I would hear these types of comparisons and honestly I had to check myself. The Wendy Williams that I grew up listening to was not really doing the positive things that I wanted to do in radio. I’m a product of the streets and the foster care system so I want people to see that I’m doing great. “Wow, she overcame that and she’s doing what she loves to do.”

Breaking down the Just Curious phenomenon…
With so much information, people simply do not know everything. So that’s where the Just Curious posts came from. For example, over the summer after Michael Jackson passing, Jermaine Jackson was attempting to put together a tribute concert in Australia and mentioned that Mary J. Blige may perform. When TMZ caught wind of the news and asked Mary J. Blige on camera about the concert, her husband replied, “What concert? She’s not doing a concert in Australia.” He totally shut it down. I posted the link and immediately received positive feedback saying this is why the follow me because I always keep them in the know.

The premise of Oh Really Poet TV…
I believe there should be a permanent arena for up and comers period, not just singers and songwriters. I want to interview artists, entrepreneurs, I told Mia, my manager that I wanted to interview you (Note: RiaRob is about to fall out of her seat). There has to be a platform to introduce the new generation of up and comers to the current generation. It used to happen frequently but now people want to hold on to their shine longer and lock it down. They simply do not want to give anyone else a chance when it’s evident that their time has passed. Case in point, I believe Mia is going to be the next Diddy. I kid you not. She is a mogul in the making. You may not necessarily hear about her but she is going to make some major moves and is a person to look out for.

There are people that you would never hear about. I never hear of Kevo until I saw him perform. People will not know that this talented artist is traveling around on his own dime, performing to anyone who will hear him. There is a stylist who has worked with everyone from me to Lil’ Mo to Mary J. Blige, and he lives in Owings Mills. He’s humble as pie. He even offered his services to assist young women with obtaining prom dresses. You are always going to hear about Beyonce and Jay-Z, but what about the trailblazers that you would not be aware of if I don’t inform you. If I am not educating you while entertaining you, then I am simply sitting on the gifts that God gave me.

The best part of Oh Really Poet TV is the word really. We live in a scripted reality where absolutely nothing is real. I can watch a show where only Caucasians are walking around in a major city with no inkling of people of color in sight. When I walk out of my door, I see every color, every shade, every size, and every height. Everybody is not beautiful and everybody is not ugly. That is why this show is important because the end result is going to be “Late Night with Poet Taylor” on a major network. On a network. We are talking ABC or CBS. I will bring people like you and Mia to the masses. And yes, someone like a Jay-Z would be performing guest because that would be the draw for viewers to tune in.

On Thique Magazine…
Thique Magazine is a male magazine from every perspective angle, and curve. After extensive research we found that men’s magazine normally gave a few options: sports and T&A, technology and T&A, cars and T&A, and clothing and T&A. We realized that men like a little bit of everything. After talking and more research, we decided to roll out a magazine that covers Jay-Z to Donald Trump, colonoscopies to the shoes of the season, sex, lies, and videotape to tricks in the bedroom that your girlfriend didn’t even know you had. At the end of the day, we as women cannot complain about the lack of good men if we are not trying to be part of the solution. We also pay tribute to women who are “thicker than a snicker.” Men do love women with a little meat on the bone. Nothing wrong with the “cake monsters” of the world. We salute the women who have the non-traditional silhouette and invite them to model as well. I write an advice column and what I find funny is that many people think that I am a man. Know you know fellas, all that great advice you’ve been getting, it’s all from here [laughter].

As the hype woman for the group, MzeryLovesCompany…
The anti-all-girl band consisting of Mzery, Sasha Ninja on drums, Ladie Clair on guitar and Lizzie on bass. They are hip rock and soul band. I serve as their mistress of ceremonies. We call our performances the show because you are going to get every bit of entertainment. I love their music and they truly show that you can’t judge a book by its cover. You may look at the punk rock, spikes and locs but listen to the lyrics. They talk about knowing your HIV status, standing up and being accounted for, that as women we have voices too.

Spoken like a true Poet!

Since summer is officially over, I asked Poet about some entertainment items marked the end of the summer and the beginning of fall.

Obama’s Speech to Schools
From the moment it was announced, I was excited. Then the bullshit happened. In an instant I saw that for as far as we have come we have such a long way to go. I couldn’t believe our President had to submit his speech beforehand to the school system to see how it could be incorporated into the school curriculum. Are you serious??? I don’t know what society other people live in, but I live in one where the teenage pregnancy and HIV cases are steadily rising. I remember President Bush addressing the nation countless times and it was never an issue. The whole situation just made me reflect on how truly ignorant some people in society really are.

Obama’s Speech on Healthcare
I felt so moved by the speech and I hope it touched others in that way. I think it was powerful, inspiring and informative message. I think it only right we help each other. We’ve all at some point in our lives needed some form of assistance. So even if it means helping pay for it. I believe everyone should have the access to have health care regardless of past and present diseases, disabilities, sicknesses or lack of money. In all honesty that do you think pays for the uninsured medical services now. In all, I walked away with a clearer understanding what President Obama is trying to do regarding healthcare Reform.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta
What can I say? It’s a mess! How many of them are housewives? But it’s like an accident…you can’t look away. Do I think a lot of the drama is contrived? Of course! It seems at times the producers are pushing NeNe to add extra drama. I’m also amazed at the stereotypes, not to mention comments that they allow to play out on the show, especially when it come to class, color, etc. It also seems like the real personalities of the women are coming through, either by good editing or the comfort. I mean can we honestly not sit here and say NeNe is coming across as the one of the most ignorant people ever?   Sheree’s ego needs its own role on the show.”The greatest designer in Atlanta?” As for Kim: the wig, the stupidity and the fakeness!  Khandi’s uninterest is evident!  Her face is a dead give away whenever she’s around them. You can almost hear her telling herself, “It’s just for my comeback, it’s just for my comeback.” Lisa is a mean little diva thing when she wants to be and in denial of where she came from. I can’t not look away from the drama seeping out, so while I’m entertained by the foolishness, I watch it and wish there was a show focusing on African American women making moves in a more positive light. Oh wait! I’m filming that show now…

Blueprint 3 or Built for Cuban Linx 2?

I have to be honest and say I prefer them both simply because the Blueprint 3 and Only Built for Cuban Linx II are two entirely different albums, made by two completely different artists that I’m fans of. I’ll be honest and say if you want the old Jay-Z, you should really go buy an old Jay-Z album. BP3 is like the evolution of Jay-Z. It is another great, solid album from the man with 10 straight number one albums while OBFCL2 is amazing simply becaise been off deck for a minute. To return to the game with a well put together album with relevant content and staying true to what he delivers which to me is raw uncut hip hop with no compromising…my hip hop faith was restored. In my opinion nothing has come close to the classic OBFCL until now…

Tyra’s “Real Hair” Episode

I guess as the “Queen of Weaves” I understand Tyra’s need to rep real hair but women have been doing that since forever. Not as real, as natural. So to Tyra, I say “Welcome to the 2009!” Fresh off her Emmy win, I guess I just expected her first episode of her fifth season to really be something more then “Real Hair.”

Jay-Z’s interview on Oprah

I got so excited about Jay being on Oprah until I heard how she planned to do it. All in all, I was interested to see what she pulled out of Jay. He’s one of the best interviews I’ve ever had. He was very personable. My mentor isstill not showing love to Hip Hop artists! Does it suck? I think so because while I understand not wanting to promote the negativity in hip hop lyrics and videos, etc., I believe there are more then a few artists that are extremely positive in the world that is Hip Hop that should be introduced to the masses. That would be nice a platform where every genre of music could be seen and heard, interviewed, and introduced to the masses. Damn, wait! That’s what WHW Rocks (whweb.com) is all about [laughter].

When you say OWWWWW, is that a Larry Blackmon from Cameo “OWWWW” or a Sugar Bear from EU “OWWWWWWW?”

It’s all Poet! I had a really low self esteem and after talking to my mom we came up with something that I could tell myself everyday to build self love and self awareness. So I went with “Owwwww.” So basically every morning I stand in the mirror and “Owwwww” myself. It’s a pep talk/hug kind of thing. Larry Blackmon’s version was a more “Owwwwww” meaning “this feels good/sexy.” Sugar Bear’s “Owwwwwww” is more like “hot damn!” i.e., big butt…oops, I mean beat. My “Owwwwwww” means “loving it” or “I love it.” It’s a state being, that is if my crazy makes sense.

RiaRob’s Sidebar: Makes perfect sense. My crazy agrees. Owwwww!

Ok, Elevation Nation! It’s that time again. Let’s run down those stats!

You can listen to Poet every weekend on WPGC 95.5. www.wpgc955.com
Follow Poet on Facebook by clicking here.
Follow Poet on Twitter by clicking here.

Follow Poet on MySpace by clicking here.

To reach Poet’s management, contact management.ohreallypoet@gmail.com. Serious inquiries only.

Last but not least, check out Poet’s site: www.ohreallypoet.com

Until the next one, rise above!!!