Last Saturday cracked and if you missed it, you missed it. Kaos in Leimert Park housed a room filled to capacity with: fans, friends and family along with some seasoned slam vets and team members all of whom came out to witness bloodshed on the vicious Brass Knuckles stage. The night was hosted by the 2x Los Angeles Grand Slam Champion, Ms. Tamara Blue & San Diego’s 2009 Grand Slam Champ, Simply Kat. The two lovely ladies provided energy and comedy throughout the night. But enough about them, let’s get to the slam.
The 10 poets competing for 5 slots on the newly revived 2010 Los Angeles Slam Team were: E. Amato, Leon P, Mr. Poetic, Francois, Artus Mansoir, Daniel Weingarten, Nick Macedo, Nikki Blak, Judy Holiday, and Matt Sedillo. Topics from the first round included: love, inspiration, street life and personal triumph pieces. When the round was over unfortunately the first two poets of the round were also the first 2 dropped and we had to say goodbye to E.Amato and Leon P.
Heading straight into Round 2 (Henny with no chaser; yep it’s like that in Leimert) the poets competed in reverse order and were forced to bring it! Judy Holiday and Nikki Blak were in the lead, tied for first with a 29.7 each. The second round included but was not limited to: singing, shouting and a few poems even brought some audience members to tears. Artus Mansoir was dropped at the end of the 2nd round.
A short break was granted and the entire room scattered for the door like roaches with the lights turned on. It was HOT in Kaos, if hell is that hot, then I need to repent. After some fresh outside air, and small talk with people from far and wide we were ready to start the 3rd round, but not without a fantastic sacrificial poem first. The sacrifice came from 3x San Diego Slam team member, Ant Black. After his hilarious poem paying homage to the R&B legend turned Minister Al Green, the crowd was ready to form a team.
Going high to low in the 3rd Judy Holiday (who was STILL tied for first with Nikki Blak) opened up. Next, Nikki Blak received the first 30 of the night. Nick, Daniel, Mr. Poetic, Francois and Matt Sedillo rounded out the night.
When the dust settled, LA formed their team and chose Daniel Weingarten, Mr. Poetic, Judy Holiday, Nick Macedo and their Grand Slam Champion Ms. Nikki Blak. (Honorable mentions MUST be made to Francois who finished 6th with an 87.2 right behind Daniel with an 87.3. And congratulations to Daniel who didn’t make this year’s Atlanta Slam team and is now a member of both the LA adult slam team and the IE Youth Team.) After attending San Francisco and team Berkeley’s Grand Slam Finals this year, I can honestly say that this was hands down the BEST finals I’ve been to all year. These poets had heart and brought the heat. Good luck to the 2010 LA Slam Team as they compete this August against the rest of the nation at the National Poetry Slam in St. Paul, MN. REMEMBER that Brass Knuckles takes place EVERY Monday night at 8pm at Kaos in Leimert Park
-Chas
