The Last Poets At 50

In 1968, The Last Poets hit the streets of New York with their no-holds-barred commentary on American society, race and revolution. Using their 'words as bullets', in the wake of the civil rights movement and in the midst of the black arts movement, they mixed sharp, spoken word with African drumming, redefining what poetry could be and ultimately inspiring the sound of hip hop.

Set against a soundtrack of their songs and poems, Last Poets Abiodun Oyewole, Umar Bin Hassan and drummer Baba Donn Babatunde talk about what inspired their sound and how they found an outlet for their ideas through words. Spoken word artist and rapper Saul Williams puts their work into context and we also hear from younger spoken word artists about how, in the context of turbulent American politics today, their words seem more relevant than ever. The programme is timely in the light of a new book by the writer Christine Otten about the lives of the Last Poets and their new album, Understand What Black Is.

Producer Jo Wheeler

A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4.

Discussing their politics, words and music and how it still resonates in US politics.