The Brooklyn Academy of Music is set to bring back its spoken-word and hip-hop showcase, Word. Sound. Power., featuring a new lineup of artists who fuse poetry and activism to challenge the status quo.
The 2025 edition, titled Power to the Poets, will highlight the enduring legacy of hip-hop as a force for truth, resistance and revolution on April 25 and April 26, according to a press release.
The event, which channels the raw energy of the late ‘80s and ‘90s hip-hop era, will feature performances from Brooklyn-born artist and activist Nejma Nefertiti, rhythmic storyteller Okai, and powerhouse poet-rapper Sincerity Garcia.
Hosted and co-curated by Baba Israel, with resident DJ Reborn setting the sonic landscape, Word. Sound. Power. promises an immersive night of bold lyricism, powerful storytelling and spontaneous cypher sessions.
“The world, as it always is, is on fire. In this moment, our ability to speak and seek truth has never been more important,” said Word. Sound. Power. co-curator and BAM Programming Manager Mikal Amin Lee.
Inspired by hip-hop pioneers like Public Enemy, Queen Latifah and KRS-One, who transformed the genre with fearless narratives, the featured artists will continue that tradition, using music and spoken word to confront injustice and inspire change.
Now a cornerstone of BAM’s programming, Word. Sound. Power. builds on a 20-year tradition of spoken word at the cultural institution. The series has long provided a platform for artist-activists to amplify voices often unheard, further cementing hip-hop’s role as a tool for cultural and social revolution.
