Poets from Lexus Verses and Flow pose with the 2016 Lexus RC-F.  

(From left to right): Mellissa Escriveto, Reanna McGavin, Hugh Min Lin, Daria Allen, and Rob Gibson.

‘Lexus Verses and Flow’ host and actor, Laz Alonso

Avery Sunshine performs

Photos by Troy Tieuel

Spoken word poetry is a phenomenon in the African American community that is surging in popularity, and TV One’s ‘Lexus Verses and Flow’ is a prime example of the power of poetry and the spoken word.

Going into its fifth season, ‘Lexus Verses and Flow’ features some of the nation’s top spoken word artists delivering beautiful, creatively composed words that open the listener to the poet’s lives and experiences in a way other forms of expression cannot. 

Although shown on TV One, an African American owned television station, the poets featured on the show come from all races and from all over America. 

“My poem was inspired by Amari Baraka’s ‘Somebody Blew Up America,’” said poet Rob Gibson, who also performed during Season 4.  “[My experience was] vivid, bold…I’m very grateful.”  

On ‘Lexus Verses and Flow’ the poets are punctuated by popular music groups.  Among those groups are Charlie Wilson and Avery Sunshine, who both performed on the first episode taped for season 5 at Siren Studios in Los Angeles. Melanie Fiona, Raekwon the Chef, Jazmine Sullivan, Chrisette Michelle, Leela James, Jussie Smollett and Sevyn Streeter are some additional artist who will be featured during season 5.

Avery Sunshine, a newcomer in the industry, having just launched her sophomore album ‘The SunRoom’ (2014, Shanachie), hopes that the exposure that she receives from performing on the show will garner her additional fans and create a larger buzz around her music.

“Hopefully some folks, who have never heard of me, will know who I am,” said Sunshine, “This is absolutely one of the most exciting things that I have ever done.  I am honored and excited to be here.  Hopefully we are going to ‘Jam on the One.”

Hosting the event is actor Laz Alonso, who is better known for his role in “The Mysteries of Laura”. Alonso brings his smooth style and masculine sex appeal into play as he announces each act and conducts a simi-interview that is reminiscent of the late Don Cornelius.    

‘Lexus Verses and Flow’ airs Saturday nights at 10 pm on TV One.  For more information on TV One’s ‘Lexus Verses and Flow’ go to http://tvone.tv/category/shows/verses-and-flow/inside-the-show-verses-and-flow/, or http://www.luxuryawaits.com/versesandflow/.