Hanif Abdurraqib - The Crown Ain't Worth Much

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Hanif Abdurraqib, performing at NPS 2015 in Oakland, CA.
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About Button:
Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry.
We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

[@ksimms3068]

"In a country that wishes your children buried, you do not wish a child unto your children"

[@mai8013]

"When I say that I am growing old I mean that I have lived long enough to fear death"!

[@akeemrollins2327]

I watch this every so often. and I still get spilling eyes everytime.

[@tracishannon6126]

Agree, AJ. Revisiting this daily in recent days.

[@ThePurpleCosmos]

This was truly fantastic. "In a world that wants to kill your babies you wish your children lonely " damn. "i say a Black Boys name in a poem and he already begins to fade"

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

👣😂🥄

[@abbyz13]

This is incredible. I wish more people watched these.

[@punkybrewstar83]

Your country is blaming a mother for a badly designed zoo enclosure, seem to be outlawing abortion, and not only want a wall built to keep out anymore of the people who actually do most of the labor, but also want them to pay for it. You sure the lead ain't in all of the water you assholes drink? I'm surprised anyone from the US has the intelligence to write poetry, let alone the attention span to listen. When this channel is less America focused it won't scare off as many others and the following will increase. I wish that more of you used your privilege to learn, care and research with....

[@abbyz13]

+punkybrewstar83 well, I don't know who pissed in your tea, but I really couldn't care less about your idiotic opinion. And I blame the mother too. You bring your kid to a place with dangerous animals, you reap the consequences. Dunno why you're on about all that though. Maybe read a book instead. Or sit down.

[@punkybrewstar83]

To many of us overseas, it appears suspiciously like everyone in your country has been so quick to blame the mother and her alleged poor parenting, because she is black and has four children.

[@exmotion8608]

Me too

[@antiquepoet3619]

Hanif is my favorite poet, I read his poetry book "The Crown Ain't Worth Much" and I adored it so much. It's a good book which will educate you and open you up to the experiences of a black man in America.

[@jamespollock11]

Listening to him interviewed on City Arts and Lectures, on KZbin early June 2020. Refreshingly humble and modest compared to a lot of young literary comets so full of themselves.

[@insanesatan9460]

" until we run out of houses for black angels in the new heaven" i cant stop thinking about this

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

🛐🐩

[@delaneyrose9180]

You have a gift Hanif. Truly a gift.

[@propheteye]

"..i say a black boy's name and he black boy begins to disappear form head to toe.." .. that's powerful

[@paulfelix9081]

His written and vocal contributions to the literary community of Poets is astronomical by leaps and bonds... he has triggered cognitive awareness without sweat forming upon his brow, and I am totally inspired and committed to honing my own craft with a relentless pursuit of my love for humanity, bridging the gaps between humanity and creativity ❤

[@geminipeterson2242]

"And isn't this a story you were expecting? The one where I do not have to tell you the hero is dead, i say a black boys name in a poem and the black boy already begins to disappear from head to toe"...

[@paulfelix9081]

Awesomeness 👌

[@twoeygray5186]

We choose what box we will rot in, I'm lucky mine has windows

[@jonbarrymartin]

Truly amazing poem and performance. I am lucky enough to get to see Hanif read frequently in Columbus, OH. And if you like his poetry, check out his essays in They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us--My favorite book of 2017.

[@momohamed4907]

"Where every black grandma is Jesus to somebody" Bless.

[@DIVAosborne]

Wow, that just got progressively deeper and better

[@punkybrewstar83]

Everything about this poem, from the prose to the delivery, was perfect :)

[@jobi2000]

I return to this in the midst of the 2020 BLM movement protests and my heart hurts.

[@nicholemehlhaff5435]

this genuinely gave me goosebumps

[@tracishannon6126]

Re-visiting this in May 2020. It always takes my breath away, but goodness today it is all the more powerful (if that is even possible).

[@Shemzheru_]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 his words are worlds within themselves 🔥🔥🔥

[@vae1419]

this may be the best poem ive ever heard

[@recojones2287]

My favorite poet hands down..

[@stephanierosalina5001]

Love him so much.

[@johannabangala2675]

First few lines - 0:00 - 0:16 'Don't smoke black - 00:07, 0:12, 0:15 Repercussions - 0:32-0:37

[@shikij8337]

You guys I am literally crying right now 😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔.

[@mariamata3169]

Loved the dramatic pauses

[@bonosigudu279]

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE POEM!!!

[@malice7096]

Hanif deserves to be revered in the same light as Shakespeare. As simple as that.

[@rhiannonsalt]

this is so so incredible

[@marwanaser5452]

This guy is talented

[@RobinSpiller]

*snapplause emotiionally*

[@nyadet212]

I love him

[@dakoduh]

did anyone else hear him live on the last poetry slam

[@pantrymonster]

I did!!

[@nikkifeltman8523]

Wow. Beautiful.

[@frend2916]

love u hanif, always a pleasure

[@jamesblackwell5349]

Feeling inspired

[@notsorrycharlie]

“you get high enough, the whole world gonna know your mama name, the whole world gonna know your mama name, when it rolls off her tongue for the last time” “and no one falls asleep to a chorus of bullets” “and your name is still alive in someone’s mouth. my name is still alive in my fathers mouth” “in a world that wishes your children were buried, you don’t wish a child on your children.” “this legacy eager to be given but no one wants to carry its burden” “we choose what box we rot in. i am lucky enough that mine has windows, gives me a week off to attend a funeral” ode to watching yourself vanish on an endless loop with no trigger warning” i am still whole.

[@Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa669]

I need to do a collab with you. You're writing style is a mirror to mine. Oh so gorgeous.

[@coraJBouzanepoetcc73]

Awesome! We hear you

[@troyscott42]

God almighty!💪💪💪

[@Tier671]

Brilliant

[@obalderdash]

love hanif

[@moobee7247]

this is so amazing

[@tea6792]

🙌🙌

[@Candy_crushin]

👏👏👏

[@Minnarillo]

incredible

[@yolandajerome9561]

Wow

[@awoFalase]

Dopeness

[@jordanhull1589]

that hurted

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

🇫🇷👑?

[@beepbeep9585]

Ode to sleep |-/

[@emilyirizarry02]

|-/