Chancelier ‘xero’ Skidmore, artist-of-all-trades: Spoken word artist, musician and teacher
How did you come up with your moniker, Chancelier ‘xero’ Skidmore?
‘Xero’ was a stage name back in the early 2000s. Then I grew to hate it. But by the time I decided to stop using it, all the hosts and promoters had become attached to it.
Tell us about your brand.
I’m a spoken word artist, getting paid to perform my poems and to compete, nationally and internationally, in poetry slams. I’m a musician, playing with two of the most prominent bands in Baton Rouge: The Michael Foster Project and Soul Jukeboxxx. I’ve traveled around the globe as both a poet and a musician. But I’m also the executive director of a youth arts non-profit organization called Forward Arts, Inc. Forward Arts is one of the top spoken word youth development programs in the world.
The entertainment business is hard. What keeps you motivated?
What keeps me motivated is a strong desire to leave a lasting impression on the world, as an artist, as a mentor, and as a person. I want to be remembered as someone who led his fields. Also, I’ve always been very competitive. So, when I see someone killin’ it on stage, I feel like they’re setting a bar of excellence that I can aspire to reach … and maybe surpass.
What has been your biggest obstacle thus far?
My biggest obstacle has been my tendency to spread myself too thin. I love writing/performing poems, playing drums, acting, writing songs, teaching, designing new programs for young people, etc. That’s a lot on my plate when you add in spending time with my family, hitting the gym regularly, and occasionally sleeping.
What made you realize you had enough talent to make it nationwide?
The first year I qualified to represent Baton Rouge at the National Poetry Slam competition was 2000. I was a member of a six-person team and we didn’t rank too high that year. By 2002, I was a national finalist and started to get booked by colleges and venues around the country.
What has been your biggest success to date?
My biggest success was winning the 2013 Individual World Poetry Slam competition. In my opinion, the field of competitors that year was the most fierce of that competition’s history. There were many former champions, plus champions and finalists of other notable slams. I prepared for it obsessively and pushed myself like I never had before.
What has been the most rewarding experience from working with the youth?
During my daughter’s senior year in high school, she enrolled in the program. I had tried to get her involved for years but it was her daddy’s program and, therefore, uncool. I’ve always mentored her through various artistic endeavors, but that year was special. She was crowned grand champion of the ALL CITY Youth Poetry Slam Festival and traveled with me to Los Angeles to represent the State at the youth international competition. I love collaborating with other artists, young and old. It was especially cool to work with my own kid and see her make so many gains in such a short amount of time.
Where do you see your career(s) in the next five years?
In five years, I see myself snagging at least one more world slam title, publishing another book, and growing Forward Arts into an organization that serves at least 2,000 more youth than we do now. As a musician, I just love to play. Being a member of a band is an opportunity to take a backseat and await marching orders. It’s cool that someone else can be in charge, for a change. I’m just gonna strap in for the ride and see where that goes.
