Slam poetry has increasingly become more popular in recent years due to it being considered a very raw, vibrant form of performance. It is often defined as a spoken word poetry event that includes audience participation, particularly for the purpose of juding. It has been suggested that the ease and accessibility of its format allows for poets to express experiences that are not often heard in the traditional literary world. However, one of the most widely-discussed topics surrounding slam poetry is whether or not it must rhyme.
When evaluating slam poetry and the question of whether it needs to rhyme, it is important to recognize the history of the art form. According to Professor Benjamin Lavender of the University of California, Davis, modern slam poetry began in the late 1980s as an outgrowth of the spoken word scene. He states that many of the early participants argued that in order to have an effective poem, one must utilize rhythm and rhyme. In order to get the poem across to the audience and make it memorable, they believed it had to be set to the rhythm and rhyme of rap music.
While following the path and history of slam poetry is important, it is also important to recognize that performances have changed significantly since its inception. For example, some established slam poets choose to pay close attention to the how the words sound when discussing sensitive topics, rather than strictly relying on rhyme and rhythm. For them, the emphasis is not on the words having to rhyme, but on the need to create an impactful performance that speaks to the audience and conveys a powerful message.
In addition, it is important to note that many contemporary poets do not view rhyming as a necessity for many performances. Instead, these poets focus on creating an emotive dialogue with their audience that can only be achieved without a set beat, rhyme, or pattern. Furthermore, scholars have argued that having a rhyme-free or focus-free piece creates a sensation of organized chaos that makes it more difficult for the audience to get distracted.
Based on the evidence, it is clear to see that while rhyme and rhythm may have been an original aspect of slam poetry, it is no longer a strict requirement to be considered a successful poet. Poets still have the option of including rhyme in their poems if desired, however, it is not necessary for a strong and impactful performance. Ultimately, the decision to include rhyme or not is up to the individual poet and the message they are trying to convey.
Rhyme or No Rhyme – Expressiveness of Performance
The discussion around the necessity of rhyming in slam poetry often comes down to personal expression, and it is clear that as long as the poet is confident in their poem they can go with whatever they feel is most expressive. This is something that Nicole Bates, an established poet living in Michigan, recognizes and emphasizes. She believes that poems that have a lack of rhyme or pattern can be just as effective as one that includes rhythm and rhyme. Bates notes that for her “silence and the pauses and (the) chaos in between” are what make her performances special — something that she believes can only be conveyed without a strict rhyme scheme.
It is also important to acknowledge that in some cases, it can be seen as beneficial for a piece to be without strict rhyming patterns. According to researchers, having a lack of structure allows a poet to play with the different sounds of words and makes it easier for them to efficiently convey emotion. Additionally, Barnes emphasizes that “no rhyme” is no longer seen as an obstacle in the slam poetry world. Instead, it allows poets to become more creative and find their voice.
Without having to worry about sticking to a certain pattern or structure, it allows poets to have freedom in their performances and enables them to use whatever sounds most effective at creating an impactful poem. Many successful poets opt to incorporate variations of rhythm or rhyming patterns, however overall it seems to be dependent on the message they are conveying and less on whether or not they need to stick to a particular style.
Impact of the Audience and Judges
The type of poem one decides to perform will ultimately come down to what the poet wants to get across and the kind of response they want from the audience. While freedom of expression is often recommended, this does not always mean that it will be met with approval from the audience. For some, keeping to a set structure of rhythm and rhyme is what grabs their attention and holds it throughout the performance, and without it, they may find it difficult to engage as much with the poem.
Moreover, whilst many slam poets value the opinion of their peers, judges may also play an important role in the success of their performance. As a side note, judges will naturally have preferences that they are looking for in the pieces they are judging. For example, if they are honoring those who incorporate rhyme and witty linguistics, then this may influence the preference of poets to do the same. Many poets may feel the pressure to comply with the expectations of the judges or audience, so creating a poem that has a certain flow or pattern could be beneficial in getting their message across.
Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Innovative Poetry
In most cases, poets are constantly trying to make their work stand out from their peers and believe that by incorporating rhyme and rhythm, the poem is more likely to be remembered. For some, this has become a tradition that can be difficult to break without a feeling of guilt or fear of criticism. Despite this, many slam poets are becoming more open to ideas of non-structured and focus-free pieces as they believe this is the way for the artform to progress and achieve the same kind of recognition that traditional poetry does.
One successful attempt of this was by Patricia Smith’s poem, ‘Coys’. In her poem, Smith manages to capture the audience’s attention by combining variations of speaking and rhythmic sound with an underlying focus on emotion. Her piece provides a perfect example of what can be achieved when one tries to bridge the traditional and culture of slam poetry as it ultimately delivers an effective poem that relies more heavily on emotion than structure.
More broadly, it is safe to say that due to the rise in popularity of slam poetry and the diversity of methods used to engage with an audience, it is now increasingly more acceptable to perform poetry that does not require rhyme or structure. While traditional poets may stick to the form of rhyme and structure, more contemporary poets are beginning to become more open to approaching their work from a different and more innovative perspective, allowing them to not feel forced to adhere to expectations and instead allowing them to find their own voice.
Expression of Innermost Thoughts
Overall, there are varying opinions and stances on whether one must rhyme in order to have a successful performance. While issues of personal expression, opinion of the audience, and history of slam poetry do have a role in deciding whether one should incorporate rhyme or not, ultimately it comes down to what a poet wants to get across and how they want to convey it. One may choose to stick to the traditional path of incorporating rhyme and structure, however, other poets may choose to stay away from it, allowing them to let go of worries of structure and focus solely on conveying their deep innermost thoughts.
For those who do choose to incorporate rhyme in their pieces, it is important for them to make sure that their primary emphasis does not solely lie in the sound. Instead, focus should be on conveying emotion and making an impactful performance that gets their message across.
Risk of Adding or Taking Away Rhyme
As seen, there is an array of evidence that suggests poets can experiment with their compositions based on the message they are trying to convey and the audience they are performing for. While there are certain risks associated with adding or removing rhyme, it is ultimately up to the poet to make that decision and should not be viewed as a foolproof formula.
In terms of adding rhyme, there are certain risks associated with overselling or over-emphasizing the sound of the words. Therefore, it is important for the poet to decide how much rhyme will be effective and how much will simply be for artistic effect. Additionally, too much emphasis on rhyming could take away from the organic rawness of the piece as it could sound too forced or rehearsed. In contrast, when choosing not to adhere to a strict rhyme scheme, it is important to make sure that the piece isn’t too chaotic.
Moreover, when moving away from the traditional path, it is essential for poets to understand that they may be judged harshly or even penalized by the judges and audience if they stray too far away from what they are expecting. Therefore, while experimenting with a poem is always encouraged, it is also important to recognize the potential risks associated with it.
Connection to Music and Rapping
In terms of modern slam poetry, the debate of rhyme extends to the connection between music and poetry. While the divide between the two mediums is usually very clear, some have suggested that certain forms of rap music and certain styles of rap poetry have blurred the lines. Take for example, the rapper known as Kendrick Lamar, whose performances successfully combine rapping and spoken word, in a way that many feel is effective and impactful.
Overall, it is undeniable that many poets are influenced by the traditional style of rap and rap music, however it appears that the essence of a performance is starting to stem from feeling and emotion rather than structure and rhyme. This has become more and more apparent as the spoken word and slam poetry scene continues to grow, therefore giving room for both traditional and modern poets to express themselves freely.
Finding the Balance
While it is unclear to what extent rhyme affects the overall success of a poem, it is evident that power of words and the emotion they convey plays a critical role in terms of connecting with the audience. Therefore, if poets wish to include rhyme in their pieces, they must ensure that it is still effective in conveying the emotion and feelings of the performance — otherwise, it may take away from the overall message.
Overall, the issue of rhyme versus no-rhyme in slam poetry comes down to personal expression and the message one wants to get across. As long as the poet is confident in the message of the poem and the way they are conveying it, whatever form it takes should be seen as a successful performance. As an artform that has grown significantly in recent years, now more than ever poets of all levels have the opportunity to express themselves freely without feeling the restrictions of sticking to a particular form.
