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ABOUT ABA
ABOUT ABA
ABOUT ABA
OPPORTUNITIES
WRITTEN POETRY
DADDY WON'T DIE
It hurts
when you walk by
and look
to the left
because I am
to your right
beneath the rubble
and the bricks
gasping for air
yes
I placed myself here
because I wanted
to make sure that
my daughters got out safely
before it all collapsed
they are out
but I am in
I feel the life
dripping from my body
but I won’t let
myself die
because my
beautiful
little
brown
girls
need me
These bricks are on my chest
as the hours
have turned into days
days into weeks
weeks into months
months into years
Older bourgeois
black men
snarl and spit
at me
cursing me
because I won’t just die
I hear them
My muscles are burning
I feel the weight
giving way
I won’t just close
my eyes and die
It'’s dark now
My daughters
are looking
and learning
Other black men
have given up
on themselves
and their children
So their children
will not know
what it means
to have a daddy
who is willing
to fight
for their souls
and their freedom
Because daddy
walked out and
pursued wealth
over their children's
mental and spiritual health
leaving them stuck
beneath the rubble
A few black women
are beginning to gather
they speak of
wanting to lift a stone
from my head
but the fear
of me getting free
is too much for
them to deal with
I hear them talking
One speaks
what will he do?
will he choose
a white woman over us
when the dust settles?
yes is daughters are lovely
little
brown
girls
but they will learn
to get along without him
just like US
they will learn
to walk pass
all of the other
Black men
like their daddy
stuck beneath the rubble
and the bricks
though it is noble
that he will risk
his life
for those that he love
that is too much of a chance
for one of us to love
a man
that will stand
for something
Their voices are fading
I won’t close my eyes
I still push
my muscles
are on fire
the air is getting thin
I won’t close my eyes
my girls
are
looking
crying
praying
that their daddy
finds the strength
to free his hands and
then lift these bricks
from his own neck
I won’t close my eyes
Baby
It’s going to be fine
Daddy won’t close his eyes
I promise
I’ll still teach you
how to love
how to ride your bike
how to fight
how to make pancakes
how to stand up
when the others
are sitting down
how to respect
someone’s actions
and not their words
I won’t close my eyes
I’ll get these
bricks off of my neck
and my chest
when i get my hands free
It’s all fading
I can hear my daughters
pulling at the bricks
begging for someone
to help them free
their daddy
screaming and crying
I
won’t
close
my
e...…y...…e...…s
OKEEBA THE POET
Okeeba Jubalo began captivating audiences with his thought-provoking spoken word performances at various venues throughout Atlanta, Georgia in the fall of 1996. Within several months, he became one of the more popular spoken word performers in Atlanta’s very competitive underground scene. In addition to winning numerous slams and poetry contest, Jubalo teamed with a local Atlanta music producer, Lionell Andrews to form the music collective, JJasonblackwell. This group consisted of two vocalists, Jubalo, and two other spoken word artists. Their soulful, spirited, and funky sound became a part of the Atlanta independent music scene during the late 90’s. A combination of Soul, Rock, and Folk music with an infusion of Spoken Word Poetry could be heard during their live performances.
In 1999 Jubalo and Andrews collaborated with investors to form Newbirth Entertainment, then recorded and released JJasonblackwell’s debut album, Urbanexperimentalist. JJasonblackwell were featured at numerous universities, clubs and other social arenas, such as The National Black Arts Festival (Atlanta, GA), Black Lily (Philadelphia, PA), and The Nuyorican Poets Cafe (New York, NY) during the next three years. They performed from their home base in Atlanta and throughout the east coast to select cities in the Carolinas, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
He has also shared the stage with several artists including: India.Arie, Dionne Farris, Carl Hancock Rux, Saul Williams, The Nappy Roots, Donnie, Mos Def, The Last Poets, Common, Sonia Sanchez, Jessica Care Moore, Haki Madhubuti, The Goodie Mob, Outkast, Askia Toure and other prominent artist throughout the industry.
In 2001 Jubalo left JJasonblackwell and Newbirth Entertainment to focus on creating is own sound as a solo artist and build his company, NobleSol Art Group. Jubalo states, “I needed to simplify my sound in order to make my message more effective.” Jubalo’s unique and timeless sound is driven by his heartfelt poetry and accompanied by the acoustic guitar.
Audiences that witness Jubalo’s delivery of the word will definitely feel the sincerity and passion radiating from his work. His inspiration comes from his desire to expose the world to the new face of Spoken Word Poetry.
PERFORMANCE ART
MAKE IT TO HEAVEN
Okeeba Jubalo FT/ India Arie


A POEM FOR BLACK LOVE
Okeeba Jubalo
Music by John Coltrane & Thelonious Monk
A POEM FOR ANTONIO
Okeeba Jubalo
MUSIC ADULT CONTENT
"SANDY BOYS"
Okeeba Jubalo FT/Rising Appalachia
"MAKE IT TO HEAVEN"
Okeeba Jubalo FT/ India Arie
"A POEM FOR CHARLESTON"
Okeeba Jubalo
"KILLING IN THE NAME OF"
Music: Rage Against The Machine
Words: Okeeba Jubalo