boston progress radio

I was sitting in my house last night trying to write something “cool and professional” for this review but everything turned out really corny. So I decided to write whatever comes to mind. When I first read this headline “Giles Li and Bao Phi at UMASS Boston,” without seeing the show I knew this performance would be dope. The trip to UMASS Boston was not an easy one with the scorching Boston sun and the ever pleasant T ride from Northeastern during rush hour. But when I was greeted with fried chicken as soon as I walked through the door, I knew it was all worth the trouble.

This was not the first time I saw Giles Li peform, but I can credit him for my fascination for this form of art. Ever since he peformed at Northeastern, I was drawn in with this kind of performance. Giles opened up the show with “The Worst Poem In the World,” a hilarious yet “makes-you-wonder” poem about practically nothing, as Giles would describe it. The poem “Anna Nicole Smith” followed, paying overdue respect and peace to the late Anna Nicole Smith. The set was concluded with a powerful poem named “1905″ in which Giles Li asked “where was I?” when horrific events that happened in Boston’s Chinatown went unnoticed.

I have heard a lot about the myth that is Bao Phi. I read all about his awards, and achievements. After watching him perform, Bao Phi definitely lived up to the billings. Each of his poems can dictate your every emotion, he can make you die in laughter or die in tears. The “Nguyens,” is a series of characters that Bao Phi made up that address the issues of every Asian American. The characters are not related but their last names are the same, addressing the stereotype that Asians with the last name are somehow related. The “Nguyens” range from a wannabe “L.A.M.B” that is willing to sell her soul to Gwen Stefani to a once bullied victim turned bully out to seek revenge. But the most inspiring “Nguyen” was Katrina, addressing the forgotten victims, more importantly the forgotten race of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Before the show, I jokingly said “Giles Li and Bao Phi are the yellow version of Blackstar,” comparing them to Mos Def and Talib Kweli. But after watching Giles Li and Bao Phi perform, I have to admit that it was a foolish mistake by comparing them to Blackstar because Giles Li and Bao Phi perform each poem with their hearts. I can see the passion in their eyes and I know money is never an issue for them like for other artists. They are not the “yellow version of Blackstar.” They are Giles Li and Bao Phi - each with their own distinctive style, combining to form a great alliance in spoken word.

Last 5 posts by long

• East Meets Words: Ms. Conchita Campos - May 14th, 2008
• L.I.F.E at East Meets Words - April 16th, 2008
• Happy Birthday East Meets Words - March 25th, 2008
• You Have Your Heroes, I Have Mine - March 11th, 2008
• Cynthia Lin under the Microscope - January 16th, 2008

Tags: Recaps.