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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 

 

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 

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