Tobias “Royal- T” Mercado

Acting

Actor/Poet: Been writing poetry since 17 at 18 was a recipient of membership to American Poets Society, thru entry to a short poem’s contest while attending Temple University. The poem was entitled “What is Life” was one of the finalists. There short after had poem published and illustrated in a book called “Before The Dawn” a collection of shorts (Up and Coming Poets). At 19 had first monologue written “Alone” published On Dramatics Magazine. Since then received a B.A. in theatre arts with a minor in creative writing, From Kutztown University in Bethlehem P.A. Shortly moved back to native Queens and attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts earned state Board certified in Performing Arts/Theatre. Is a member of the Subterranean Theatre Ensemble and has performed in numerous off –Broadway play’s and is currently filming 5th indie feature film. Royal-T is also working on putting a collection of short poems and monologues. The book is entitled: More than 1 Side 2 Da Kid !, as well as a 1 man play “wher I’an frum (Where I’m from) his influences in poetry are Black Ice, Kahil Gibraun, La Bruja, Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, The Last Poets, Dead Prez, Miguel Pinero, Che Guevera, Pedro Pietri and the whole Grito De Poetas..peace my PEOPLES…hasta la Victoria siempre..(till victory always)

Majestik

Freestyle Maniac

Hip Hop and the act of "Rapping" happen to be my ride to actually relieve my stress of living with all this animosity towards life. Being expressive with words started from when I was young, writing poems and listening to ballads. I took all that confusion and hate for my dysfunctional life and put it to good use. Now, I live to express these stories for others who possibly cannot, and also to hit people with something that will have you actually think about, rather than worship as skills, like most "kids" do with the bullshit being called rap today. I'm real with everything that I do. I'm like water, nothing hidden within myself. So drink up...I know you thirsty Majestik started performing mid-2001, going to open mics that were being hosted in Brooklyn every week. Then becoming part of a local group and performing together at events and other performances. Majestik also gained recognition and more exposure participating in battles and challenges on Hip Hop web sites and forums. He is also part of 21 Poetz, HipHopPoetry.com’s first group to get off the internet and on stage

High Priestess

Spiritual Energy

Going on her 2nd year as a spoken word artist, she has made a name for herself in the open mic community, being featured at many venues across the city, such as Cornelia St. Cafe, Cafe Imani and The Bowery Poetry club to name a few. She is known for talking about her explosive and comedic aspects of the power of women that she was given the name High Priestess. She accredits her inspiration to both her hippy lesbian mothers who taught her to be proud of her womanhood and culture. With that in mind she recently birthed the idea of starting an all Latino poetry group called El Grito De Poetas to inspire, educate and uplift our people. Born in the Lower East Side of New York, and raised in Massachusetts, Lilah "High Priestess" Mejia is a single mother; when she is not writing she is busy raising her children and working with her non-profit organization she co-founded called L.E.A.A.F., which is based in West Africa

True

connection to the streets

Raised in the Far Rockaway and Hollis sections of Queens, True has seen her fair share of struggle. Bored and fed-up with her middle class up bringing, True headed to the streets in search of excitement and acceptance. Her self-imposed hard knock life is often reflected in the content and characters of her poems. True began performing her poetry at the legendary Brooklyn Moon Café. She has gone on to perform at the Nuyorican Poets Café and the Improv Theatre, to name a few. She has also performed for various divisions of the Rikers Island Correctional Facility. Her passion for the genre has led her to implement various poetry workshops through out many of New York City's high schools. Her vision is to help create a generation of men and women who not only speak their minds, but also thinks things through. These workshops, she hopes, will start the fire that will one day light up the world

Chilo

Knowledge, MP3's

Chris Cajigas, originally hails from Strong Island New York. He has been writing lyrics his whole life. Primarily a Hip Hop Performer for ten years plus, Chilo has been dabbling with the spoken word genre for the last year or so, and has performed with the Nuyorican poetry Cafe Theater group as well as featured in many venues in and out of the Tri state area. He independently produced a twenty track Hip Hop album in 2002 entitled "Experience is Truth", Chilo also is part of a Spokenword/HipHop group known as "21Poetz". A licensed History teacher, Chilo provides a wonderful blend of knowledge, passion, emotion and lyricism every time he steps upon the stage. He is currently working on a 21poetz Mix tape, his next solo album, entitled "Never Satisfied", and two compilation albums that he constructed and put together. He enjoys being able to partake in such an amazing group of poets such as El Grito del Poetas that inspire and provide a Latino presence and a voice to be heard.

Chance

Character and Humor

Relatively new to the scene, "Chance" has been reciting for all of four years, and has made a name for himself. Born in Colombia, South America and the eldest of three, he receives inspiration from everyday life situations and most commonly uses a blend of comedy and drama to reflect his real-life experience. "Chance" has quickly become recognized in many poetry venues, blessing the stages of Nuyorican Poets Café, The Bowery Poetry Club, and the Green (in L.A.), to name just a few. He's been the popular host of "Poetically Incorrect" at the Cornelia Street Cafe, is the in house Host for El Grito de Poetas and has been published in Raul Maldonado's The Company We Keep. Coupled with his fresh material, "Chance's" confident stage presence makes him a performer to watch

Simply Rob

Camera

Robert Vassilarakis, a.k.a Simply Rob, is a spoken word poet, actor and activist. Born and raised in New York, he is of Greek and Salvadoran descent. Dedicating himself to the empowerment of New York's inner city youth and the fight against HIV/AIDS, he has served for the last ten years as a youth counselor and mentor for homeless and "at risk" youth in NYC and the Bronx. He is currently serving this population as the Coordinator of Youth Services at the Bronx Lesbian and Gay Health Resource Consortium. As an actor, some of his credits include Malo the Merchant in Miguel Piñero' s Side Show at La Tea Theater in the Lower East Side and the lead role in an adaptation of James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room at the Trilogy Theater. He studied acting at HB Studios.He was inspired to write poetry after meeting Caridad De La Luz (La Bruja), a poet and multifaceted artist after a performance of her solo show Boogie Rican Boulevard. After his first spoken word performance at Don't Tell Mama's, he was mentioned in a cabaret view as "...featured spoken word poet whose name is simply Rob...," which led to his performing name. He has also performed his spoken word at the Hostos Center and the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD!) and has occasionally guest hosted at La Bruja's Thursday night open mic at Jake's Saloon in Spanish Harlem

Advocate of Wordz

Charm, wit and energy

Paper, stages, mics and chastity belts, the Advocate of Wordz rips them all! This Bronx native's bold and diverse tongue has been touring Poetry and Hip-Hop venues in and out of the New York City area for just over a year now. He's featured at venues such as Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Bowery Poetry Club, and the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Wordz is a member of "21 Poetz" and creator of "hiphoppoetry.com"

Influential Artist

Children

The Streets

Music

Life