Underground Expressions Uprooted

Story and photos by Tiffany Richards

The steady hip-hop music pulsates throughout the Oraja Lounge. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. The music flows from one genre to the next as a more relaxing guitar melody soothes the room. Warmth surrounds the souls of many as intertwining conversations rivet their young minds. A strong haze of smoke hangs heavy over the chamber like a warm blanket ready to carry someone off into a more peaceful world. One of these comforted souls makes his way to the front ready to share his poetic flow with the audience. His fluent, articulate words vibe well as they pounce into the eardrums of his audience. This young poet is one of the few poets in a new group called The Underground Expressions.

This group of expression may call themselves "Underground", but they aren't so hidden. They are trying to unearth onto the Plattsburgh scene with any form of expression they want to hash out. UGE started out as just a dream in the minds of its forerunners. "I felt it'd be important. A lot of people like poetry, but they have no place to express it," says Darrell Davis, vice president of UGE. Davis says he felt it was a way to bring people together. "There are way too many talented people who need to showcase their talent."

Plattsburgh is lacking in artistic expression, says Max Rouzier, venue director for UGE. Through this group, Rouzier hopes to build the artistic expression in Plattsburgh. "By giving ourselves a voice, we give others a voice," he says.

 The President of UGE, Jodi Powell, says she always had a personal interest in poetry during her days in Jamaica. "We made it happen," says Powell. She says she found a group of people who had the same love for artistic expression as she did.

 Brandon Smith, secretary of the group, says he spoke to Powell and others last year about putting a club together. "She decided to put our interests all together and just say lets build a club because we all like to recite poetry and just make spoken word available to the masses," he says. "It's basically our love for putting poetry out there." The group was formed about two months ago, but they are working on getting official approval from the Student Association in SUNY Plattsburgh once they get their Constitution approved. Smith is enthused to get started with the group. "I would like to set up the meeting right now and let people know that we're the Underground Expressions and we're here to let people hear spoken word today."

UGE is not only open to students of SUNY Plattsburgh. People who live in the area are free to join too. "We're open for performers and events," says Powell.

"We just want to let people know that if you have a voice and you wish to have it heard through spoken word, we're here for you"

Clubs on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus have their own poetry slams, but the expression of these young minds isn't their only intention. UGE wants to be the poetry club on campus, says Smith. Poetry isn't just their interest; it's what they’re all about. Any person who is open to self expression is welcome in this group.

The groups’ spot to perform is usually at the low-key Oraja Lounge hookah bar in downtown Plattsburgh. It's the best place to have poetry events because there are a lot of people who may not be seen on a college campus who are also open to the arts, says Smith. "It's a very fun and open atmosphere," he adds. "We just want to let people know that if you have a voice and you wish to have it heard through spoken word, we're here for you," says Smith.

This freedom of mind doesn't stop there. The group can recite poetry, sing and rap. Speaking of rap, Davis, also known as Dmac, puts his pen on the paper for his rapping skills. His form of poetic expression brings a unique style to the group. Yet, Davis's poetic voice isn't the only unique element to UGE. "I don't think it brings anything out of the ordinary. I think everybody brings something unique to the group as well," says Davis.

This idea doesn't run solely with Davis. Smith says everyone in the group has their own style. "My poetry helps the group because it's one of those different styles", says Smith. "I can add that type of musical nature that people sometimes may tap into, but not have it in our group." His style has a strong influence on a few factors in his life. Teenage issues and experiences in love helped the young writer push his pen. "It allows me to define myself and the people around me," he says. Wanting to have his own small town experience after leaving the University of Maryland, Smith says he wants to share his love with the campus community. "If you have love and you really understand it, it's something that stays with you. People get attracted to you because of the love that you have for yourself and the love you have for other people," says Smith. "I want everyone to be involved in UGE so they can hear our message," he adds. His message comes from many factors like life changes, relationships and the world. But his main factors come from family and relationships. "We connect with so many different people in the world and all these people are going through these experiences that we can't really define. It becomes poetic just dealing with them and just being around them."

"That's what's up. If you give it to them, they listen"

Smith isn't the only one with different elements helping his poetic flow. Powell says she tends to write about anything that crosses her mind. They call it Vaps in Trinidad, she says. She decided to let her Vaps reach a new location in SUNY Plattsburgh so she can experience a small town vibe, the international students program and the communications department. "I write for everything and everybody. It's a growing and a developing process for me." She prefers if her writing doesn't go only one way. The UGE president says she can be shy and feels people aren't with her accent, but says they will appreciate her artistic expression when heard more than once. "That's what's up. If you give it to them, they listen." She says she's always been drawn to performances, but isn't into reading poetry. "Once you have something to say, it doesn't matter what age; with passion and conviction, I will sit down and listen."

 With Davis, his rhymes are influenced by life in general, whether he's having a bad day or just personal experiences. The rapper writes more toward what he's feeling rather than what people want to hear. "I'd rather have my own unique voice," he says. He's been rapping since he was 14. "It was something that kind of happened. Once I started it was something I just ran with." Since then, he's been rapping a lot more lately. "If it did it for me, I'm sure it can do it for anyone else to get their voice out there."

With these influences pushing these young poets, UGE is planning for the future. The group is trying to provide a gateway or stage for expression, says Powell. The group hopes to collaborate with SUNY Binghamton and to be known on campus. "It's just about doing what we do best and that's doing poetry," she says.

How do you express yourself?