We’re happy to finally announce the publication of Not4Prophet’s debut poetry collection, Last of the Po’Ricans y Otros Afro-Artifacts, with graphics by Vagabond and an introduction by award-winning poet and 2Leaf Press author, Tony Medina. Vagabond also wrote the afterword, which discusses the history of Last of the Po’Ricans and how he came to create graphics for some of Not4Propeht’s poems. Last of the Po’Ricans holds the distinction of being the second book to be published under our NUYORICAN WORLD SERIES, with Jesús Papoleto Meléndez being the first with Hey Yo! Yo Soy!.
Last of the Po’Ricans was selected by Carmen Pietri, 2Leaf Press‘ Program Director, who also coordinated all of the efforts put into its production; and was edited by poet-professor-scholar Urayoán Noel. The book video was produced and directed by Vagabond and filmed by award-winning cinematographer Jeff Akers, with the book cover shot by Akers and designed by Vagabond. Not4Prophet’s press photos were shot by Sam Lahoz. As you can see, 2Leaf Press doesn’t fool around with its emergent writers . . . we surround them with the very best folks to help make their book happen.
But the important thing to consider is why we decided to publish this book. What struck us is that Not4Prophet’s messages were undeniably human and powerfully potent with the civic power of a public poet, or what Not4Prophet likes to call himself, a “barrio bard.” As we first reviewed Not4Prophet’s manuscript, we found some of the verses were angry, passionate, frightening, but also playful with most of the work thoughtful and ironic. Carmen Pietri loved the idea of publishing a poet unafraid to tackle today’s social and political realities that’s written in a dynamic and urgent way. We also dug the fact that some of the poems were associated with graphics by Vagabond, which gave the book a visual edge as well, since most poetry volumes rarely include graphics or illustrations. Based on all of this and more, we decided to move forward to make this book happen, and Not4Prophet became 2Leaf Press’ first emerging poet.
Although this is Not4Prophet’s debut collection, he’s been around the scene for quite some time. He’s an mc/singer/lyricists/songwriter/actor/activist and Nuyorican-style emoter. He found music and poetry at an early age. When his father gave him a copy of Piri Thomas’ Down These Mean Streets when he was ten years old, it encouraged Not4Prophet to seek out other old school Nuyorican poets and writers. Soon he was scratching out his own “puerto-poems” on napkins, toilet paper, and whatever else was handy as long as it wasn’t a wall or anyone’s “private property.” By age fourteen, Not4Prophet formed his first musical band and quickly began performing in downtown punk venues, squats, and community gardens in the Lower East Side/Loisaida,NYC, with a plan to step out in public (spaces) with finely honed radical raps, rhymes and lyrical poetry.
Last of The Po’ Ricans y Otros Afro-Artifacts provides an incredible verbal and musical profusion of poetry that reflects an artistic background framed around the emotional landscapes of the perpetual islands of Puerto Rico and New York. Written in free verse and layered with cultural and historical references, Not4Prophet delivers poetry with a strong, studied feeling for the rhythmic integrity of his lines. He begins most of his poems with quotes from writers and historical figures that serve as a preface to the verse that follows. Each poem is a history lesson that investigates the social political and cultural impact of a Puerto Rican born in Ponce living in El Barrio and the Bronx, and his connections to the African American communities he has lived in. As he elaborates this “otherness” which includes the hassles of poverty, racial pride and racial discord from a sociocultural perspective, Not4Prophet also pays homage to the old school cats from the Nuyorican and Black Arts movements.
Last of the Po’Ricans actually published on November 25, 2013 to commemorate when Spain approved the Carta Autonómica, also known as Constitución Autonómica, which gave Puerto Rico the right of self- government in 1897. Of course all that changed after the Spanish American War, when at the war’s conclusion, Puerto Rico became a “Commonwealth” (colony) of the U.S. In any event, we were trying to plan something appropriate in celebration of the book’s publication but unfortunately, a chain of events prevented the big splash we had hoped for: illness, hospital visits, bad weather, and more. That’s why we say “finally announce the publication” at the beginning of this post . . . it’s been out for a while, but only now are we catching up with Not4Prophet, who’s been a real trouper through all of this. He blazed his own trail by booking a string of book parties in NYC, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Connecticut. So we salute Not4Prophet for staying the course by vigorously promoting his book.
Having said all of this, we strongly encourage you to buy Last of the Po’Ricans. Not4Prophet breaks boundaries and challenges us with iconic visual imagery and word play, as he dares to speak of the unspeakable. Vagabond’s graphics interplays with Not4Prophet’s words. You will not be disappointed. Available at Amazon.com. And be sure to join us at the launching of our series, 2Leaf Press Presents @ The Bowery Poetry Club on February 9, 2014, and check out Abiodun Oyewole, Not4Prophet and Vagabond to continue the celebration.
