The stars gathered for a night to remember on February 21^st 2026, as EvoluCutlure held their Evolution Dopen Mic. Held at 77 Academy St in Newark NJ, the format consisted of a lip sync segment,

a 10 slot open mic, an intermission segment to mingle and fill your stomach, and 2 incredible features. Headlined by Mikumari and P.O.M.E. artistry was definitely in the building, and the sounds of DJ The IZM carried us through different moments in time. 

   I got a chance to speak to EvoluCulture Ceo and Founder Sean Battle, who hosted the event with a flair that is second to none. Last Saturday was an example Of what I mean when saying “community is made WITHIN the art scene in order to thrive in it and beyond,” Sean said. “The goal for evolute culture is to continue holding space for artists and art lovers to do such, that with varied programming  that includes space where one is not performing but still expressing themselves.”

 Legendary NJ Poet Omar Holmon was in the building- though no longer active on the poetry scene, he brought his timeless blend of seriousness and comedy to the stage- leaving people in teary stitches. “It’s a beautiful thing to see black folk gathering in NJ for poetry,” Omar said. “There was a time when everyone would show up to New York for the poetry scene. However, in present day Evoluculture (along with other venues) stands as a show curated to highlighting the wide variety if NJ artists that we have” 

               Indeed there was a time when NJ was lacking solid venues for NJ artists to grow and develop their craft- One NJ artist that was in the building          who also runs his own open mic was Craig Bradley, a powerhouse in multiple areas. “Staying enthusiastic, that was one thing that I took from this night- who is going to be dope 5… 10… 15 years from now, still with that same passion and drive,” Craig said. “Who is going to learn how to adapt? You know it’s funny we were at an EvoluCulture event- What’s the evolution of your pen, your writing? The person that you are and how that comes through in your art. Can you stay enthusiastic long enough for things to come to fruition?” 

               One of the younger artists of the night was 17 year old Nathan, and my guy definitely commanded the stage like a veteran. “I’m glad I decided to check out this event. Everyone was really inviting and willing to connect after my performance,” Nathan said  “The environment is very vulnerable, but people are fine with being loose and fun at the same time.”

EvoluCulture member P.O.M.E. closed out the night with an electrifying performance that showcased why he has one of the strongest pens in the game.

“Let’s turn these memories into monuments” “You know that’s a key quote of mine that I live by,” P.O.M.E. said “ When we make these memories man- I want them to be monuments- I want them to stand for all time, I want people to always remember the things that I do as an artist and the events that I put out as an artist and that happening Saturday night it made me feel warm.” 

February 21^st was definitely all things amazing. 

    One of the things I strived for last year, was to be around like minded artists- that sentiment continues to rain true with Rebel Fields Alliance. 
While at poetry events, you might see might jotting something down in a notebook, or interviewing one of the poets-
I'll do this and more to share the poetic experience with those who missed the event.
On the Rebel Fields Alliance Instagram page, you can find their mission statement 
My role in all this? To help extend the life of poets and poems –for it to be more than reciting/hearing a poem and going home –
For you to hear about a poet/poem while at home, sparking your interest to learn more. 
 

Every year (Late Nov/early Dec) the big streaming platforms send out something that displays the music we’ve been listening to all year. 

Though I’ve had albums on streaming platforms for four years now, I never really thought about people having me on their list(s)- until it finally happened.

On one hand it felt good to know that one of your friends/peers like your work enough to listen to it enough times where it ended up on a yearly list- on the other hand it made me think of all my friends/peers that have listened to hundreds of minutes from strangers, and posted their lists.

               I went to an open mic last week, and at least three performers came up in succession, and spoke about their Spotify Wrapped list- each time the crowd made noises indicating the commonalities… but when I came up and asked how come I wasn’t on any of their lists…. Crickets. 

               Not that I wasn’t aware, but for me it lets me know I have way more work to do. 

               I was happy that the album that made the cut wasn’t a recent one- made me feel that the poet was actually a fan of my work, and was looking deep through the cuts. 

               I’m excited to embody these tracks next year- whether acapella, instrumental, or with a live band. 

               This past Wednesday I traveled to Newark for Episode 11 of The Residency, ran by Craig Bradley, with Don Krypton on the 1’s and 2’s. 

What was supposed to be the season finale, Episode 11 turned into a pipeline to run it back one more time in December as the energy and artistry flowed throughout the night. 

I was a little sluggish at first from a long work day, but I knew there were going to be poems and poets that would get me where I needed to be. That energy came from my guy GHOST, who performed in the “Mic is 

open” section, where you feel the vibe, then walk up and perform. I performed “Antiquity” from the Terms And Renditions project, and became a different person after lol- It felt like one of those snickers commercials, as I was full of joy after stepping away from the mic. I had a few conversations regarding energy/performing that provided the calm I needed- but it also gave me the push I needed. 

               Craig once again showcased solid hosting skills, slicing through the room, making sure everyone was in a good mood.

Don Krypton provided the tunes that packed the floor in between the performances 

Drinks were flowing 

Conversations were brimming 

I was fed. 

This past Saturday I did some time traveling, seeing the past, present and future simultaneously- 

My guy Craig Bradley, an artist from the great city of Newark, put together an event- “People’s Fest”- which celebrated culture through music, hiphop, and poetry. 

What I loved most was seeing poets that were hitting stages before I even knew what spoken word was 

Poets that were making names for themselves the same time I was trying to figure things out 

Poets that were a few years into their careers and were hungry for the next step 

After Newark, I made my way over to Rahway for an open mic and slam – 

What’s The Word is an open mic I’ve attended many times- I go there to listen to solid writing, I feel the audience pays attention, the features usually put on a great set, and the slams have been epic. 

A couple days prior while trying to get my voice back, I thought it MIGHT be an option to enter the slam, something I haven’t done in years---- 

I performed “So Where Were We” under Joseph Reuben Fuller – felt good about it overall 

I slammed as Assasin- an ended up winning the slam…. By point 1 – 

It was grueling, but I loved it – and I will be in the finals for January. 

I think I slept most of Sunday lmao – 

I was full,

Full because I was in the presence of poetry all day- I see where it went- where it is- and where it could go. 

              I released the album Shades Of Sade on Wednesday and so far I’ve been receiving amazing feedback such as:

The differences between this album and the previous seven. 

Favorite tracks 

Flows and cadences used 

The instrumentation 

The words

               Speaking of words, I have uploaded the lyrics for all the songs – numerous people have told me that it’s very helpful/thoughtful to be able to read along while listening.

I have also uploaded the album to YouTube for those that were asking when that was going to happen. 

Thank you to all that have listened multiple times, have downloaded copies, and are putting songs into their regular listening rotation.

What’s your favorite track so far? 

I’m currently sitting in a hotel room drinking a jack straight… thinking about the next step and the steps I have taken this year. 

I do this every year around this time, because Virgo season is approaching, and technically that’s the new year for me. 

I’m going to take the night to evaluate what I’ve done this year compared to last, and what I would like to accomplish moving forward. 

I’m away

Far away

From home- 

Intentions I have, to bring something new,

When I return. 

Had a feature yesterday in Matawan, NJ- The platform was Poetry In The Port. I always enjoy performing there because I feel the audience is attentive, and everyone is supportive of each other. Around 2 PM is when I sat down to get my set together.  During the week I already had in mind what direction I wanted to go, so I didn’t view it as being too late/procrastinating (to some extent lol)- 

               The first piece I wanted to perform was Requiem Of A Day Dream- Being that I finally completed it, and it is the first track from the Shades Of Sade album I wanted to try it out. Once I come back 

               The Second piece I wanted to do was A Thoughtful Misstery from the A Master Of Pieces album- I think the last time I performed it was in March

               The third and fourth pieces were special to me because they were both going to be from the You Are Wanted album- the first album I made under the name Joseph Reuben Fuller- It is the blueprint for everything I have done after. 

               Garden Kisses is a piece that I LOVE when I made it and I still love like it just came out- definitely going to perform it more and get comfortable with it. 

               Love Making is a personal favorite of mine- I had big big plans for it in my head, but I never brought the ideas to life- then the instrumental accidentally got deleted, and I don’t perform over my vocals soo…. 

Recently I was able to perform some magic and create a similar instrumental – it’s missing the vocals of Goonie, but hopefully he can get back on it in the near future- until then, I’m gonna rock and roll with this version. 

               I felt Requiem Of A Day Dream got a good reception, and a few people that heard the original version, I saw their head nods when they heard the new lines lol. I liked my performance of it overall, looking forward to performing it more often. 

               A Thoughtful Misstery… though I’ve only performed it once, I listen to it all the time- so I felt good with it overall. Gonna bring it out more.

               Garden Kisses…. Garden Kisses KMT- downloaded the wrong beat so I did it acapella- I was hot lol. 

               Love Making got a real good reception- people caught the lines and what I was doing overall- looking forward to doing a lot more with this piece of art. 

Next up? Open Mic at the Piscataway Public Library this Thursday.

Starting transitioning back into the space where I can start working on my current and new material again- This past month I performed a lot, but didn’t really get to work on my craft.

I used the listening back to myself method in the beginning, and it was working being that I was at work… but I started getting stuck near the end. I went back to my traditional method (4 block lines/highlighter) and I finally got it down. Once I get a rhythm going, I would LIKE to have a poem memorized every week. On to the next poem. 

This past weekend, I was outside- meaning I was seen in multiple places by many people. 

It’s always fun seeing the range of facial expressions. 

               I first attended an event by my guy Silent Knight, that was held at Revilla Grooves and Gear. Knight has been wielding the pen for decades, and it was displayed listening to new and unreleased music blaring out of the speakers. Loved the whole vibe of flipping through records of all genres while listening to hip-hop.

               Next stop was an open mic in North Brunswick- A new spot that I bumped into on social media, the band held familiar faces, and of course I had to play with them during my performance. 

               Saturday’s open mic brought me around faces that I’ve known for over 20 years, at a place I’ve never visited (though it’s literally right by my house) 

               Sunday morning started with hitting the barber shop for a fresh lineup- then had a photoshoot for a project I’m working on. For the rest of the day, my feet were in Newark- I was invited out by my guy Craig Bradley, a phenomenal artist who’s been carving his own lane.  First at a community event where we went back and forth (3 poems each) then at an open mic where Craig put on an INCREDIBLE feature set. 

               In those 3 days I performed six different poems, sold 4 CD’s, 3 books and connected with some cool people.