Lamont Carey Finds Refuge, Humanity in Poetry

lamont carey

Poet Lamont Carey has been speaking the truth about significant societal issues for over a decade. Carey’s searing spoken word performances reflect the impact of the violence he was exposed to in his hometown, Washington, D.C. In a recent interview with rolling out, Carey discussed the inspiration for his art, his current project and how he’s lending support to the earthquake victims in Haiti.

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What inspired you to start performing spoken word?

I have seen a lot of horror. I grew up seeing the despair in my neighbors’ eyes. I’ve seen too many mothers struggle to raise children unaided. I’ve watched little boys die trying to achieve the American dream. I have shared a prison cell with an uninformed 60-year-old man. So I have breathed the toxics I speak of. Now, I use spoken word as an outlet to express the toxics I endured long ago.


You’ve performed on “Def Poetry Jam.” Tell us about that experience.

I received a phone call and they asked me if I’d be interested in performing ‘I Can’t Read’ on the show. It was a good business opportunity, so I said, yes. The greatest part of the opportunity was Russell Simmons calling me by name and telling me that I did an awesome job. Honestly, I would have never chosen to do that piece. It wasn’t my favorite. Now it’s my signature piece.

You’re in the process of writing a play. What is the play about?

The play is an adaption of my TV series, ‘Laws of the STREET.’ The main character is Angel. Her parents are drug addicts. Angel ends up selling drugs to support her mother’s habit in an effort to lessen her own horror. [The play] will [be performed] Sept. 4, 2010, at the J.F. Kennedy Center.

What are you doing to help the earthquake victims in Haiti?

I created a video that is online called, ‘Haitian Eyes.’ At the end of the clip, it informs people on how they can contact Wyclef’s [Yele] organization to donate to Haiti.

Visit www.lamontspov.webs.com to view “Haitian Eyes.”

(Photo courtesy of April Sims)


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