Abiodun Oyewole facts for kids
Abiodun Oyewole (born Charles Davis in February 1948) is a talented poet and teacher. He is also a member of a very important spoken-word group called The Last Poets. This group is known for helping to create what we now call hip hop music. A music expert named Jason Ankeny once said that The Last Poets, with their powerful poems and strong rhythms, really helped start the hip-hop movement. They focused on making people aware of Black history and culture.
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Early Life and New Beginnings
Abiodun Oyewole was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. When he was three years old, he moved to Queens, New York, to live with his aunt and her husband.
When he was 15, he visited a Yoruba Temple in Harlem. It was there that he received the name Abiodun Oyewole, which means "one who comes into the world during a festival." This is the name he is known by today.
Growing up, Oyewole loved jazz and gospel music that his parents played. He was also inspired by the beautiful poems of Langston Hughes.
The Last Poets: A Voice for Change
The group The Last Poets officially began on May 19, 1968. This date was special because it was the birthday of Malcolm X, a very important leader. Oyewole, along with David Nelson and Gylan Kain, read poetry to honor Malcolm X.
The group's message was rooted in black nationalism, which means they focused on the strength and unity of Black people. They quickly became well-known in the African-American community. Many people believe that The Last Poets, along with Gil Scott-Heron, had a huge impact on how hip hop developed. They truly helped shape its early sound and message.
Later, Abiodun Oyewole continued his education. He studied at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and earned his first college degree. He then went on to earn a higher degree from Columbia University in New York City. He even taught there for a while!
Later Years and Continued Impact
In 1994, Oyewole was featured on a special music collection called Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. He performed an updated version of a song called "This is Madness" with Omar Ben Hassen and Pharoah Sanders. This album was even named "Album of the Year" by Time magazine!
More recently, Abiodun Oyewole has traveled around the world. He gives talks about poetry and important social issues. He also hosts a weekly "Open House" for new poets who are just starting out. He has taught at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, helping others learn about Black history and culture. In 2022, he released his own music album called "Gratitude."
Words of Wisdom
Abiodun Oyewole has shared many insightful thoughts. Here is one of his famous quotes about Malcolm X:
- "Malcolm X showed us the way to understand revolutionary ideas. He went through many changes in his life, always trying to grow and find the best in himself. He was determined to be more. And we heard that message. He explained it better than anyone. So, we wanted to be like his students, using poetry to share the same important ideas he taught us."
See also
- Black Nationalism
- Gil Scott-Heron
- Hip hop music
- Jalal Mansur Nuriddin
