I got chills the first time I saw this on HBO years ago, and I get chills now after watching it dozens of times. Thank you for all of your work Oscar Brown Jr.
He definitely raised the bar for Def Poets. This work was so amazing it made me offended and happy and sad at the same time. He was so great. God rest his soul, he was definitely an icon.
The greatest lyricist who ever lived. Period. I was very lucky to see him perform live at the Green Mill in Chicago a few times during his final years. He was an absolute genius who deserves far more recognition than he ever received!
You have no idea how long I have been looking for this. I saw the original on HBO 2-3 years ago and I never caught the name of the poet (Oscar Brown, Jr.) I tried to find out who this wonderful man was with this wonderful poem all these years. I tried to describe it to friends but they didnt know what the he-- I was talking about.I just happened to find it tonight. THANK YOU !!!
I watched this as a kid, enjoying it because it was catchy. Listening to it now, for some reason almost brings me to tears. What a beautiful poem and poet.
Man I remember the first time I heard this for the first time 5 years ago and completely lost it. Till this day I’m still diggin this piece. Respect 🤩😎✊🏾
this poem still hits like the first time i ever heard it glad to see the comment section all feeling the same way😭🙌🏼rest in pradise grandpa true legend will be forever missed!
This is my favorite poem of all time, and I usually say that, and don't mean it, but this is my favorite! I've NEVER heard anything like it. My freshman year, I found this, and watched it AT LEAST 3 times a day. I even memorized it, though I've forgotten some since then.
I wouldn't even respect it if a rapper wrote those exact words today. It's a slap in the face of our ancestors how we piss away the millions of opportunities they broke their backs to provide for us. And not just slaves, but seasoned cats like him and our grandparents.
man he is great and have true story to tell us about his life and the past................. we should to have more respect for older people everywhere in the World even the World make one crazy man !!!
Has anybody seen Oscar's performance aired by UCTV University of California TV network a few years ago? Waiting for someone to upload clips from this show. It packed power.
Here in 2024. Still legendary !
Yes sir
I got chills the first time I saw this on HBO years ago, and I get chills now after watching it dozens of times. Thank you for all of your work Oscar Brown Jr.
Same here!
He definitely raised the bar for Def Poets. This work was so amazing it made me offended and happy and sad at the same time. He was so great. God rest his soul, he was definitely an icon.
This poem helped me become the poet I am today. I Love This
Hi! I hope you're still writing poetry. 🤗
Genius,he told the truth. He made satire and tragedy in a poem,as those two usually go hand in hand.
Every few years I search for t👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿his and watch a few more times
Same here
As a close friend of Oscar's daughter, I am very grateful for this posting. Oscar Brown is the most inspiring man God has ever allowed me to meet.
Man this is still so good after all these years RIP mr Brown
I saw this when it first aired. I was in high school and I have never forgotten all these years. I'm so glad I found this.
Ive watched this a bunch of times over the years still amazing
that poem hit me when I first saw it a few years ago.... and even now i still get that same feeling when I hear it. A CLASSIC!
Mr Brown, will be missed, wonderful to see him healthy!
THE ABSOLUTE NUMBER 1 BEST POEM IN DEF POETRY SLAM WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!!!!!!!!!💯💯💯💯
that just blew me away entriely.
He is one of the artist that you sit on the edge of your seat just waiting for what he says. RIP
The greatest lyricist who ever lived. Period. I was very lucky to see him perform live at the Green Mill in Chicago a few times during his final years. He was an absolute genius who deserves far more recognition than he ever received!
Gee, It is great to see my cousin Oscar Brown Jr in action again.
Hello there how are you related to my father OBJ?
Through David Brown.
This is ONE MAN I wished I could've met. I have been inspired by your guy's family member for most my life and owe my very gift to poets like him.
I'm still moved deeply by this spoken word and I just shared it again today with a group of Black men.
Heavy stuff this guy was always deep.
Amazing bloke.....a true artist.
Just stunning. I've loved Oscar for the past 40 years x
You have no idea how long I have been looking for this. I saw the original on HBO 2-3 years ago and I never caught the name of the poet (Oscar Brown, Jr.) I tried to find out who this wonderful man was with this wonderful poem all these years. I tried to describe it to friends but they didnt know what the he-- I was talking about.I just happened to find it tonight. THANK YOU !!!
Oscar Brown Jr. One of the pioneers! Excellent poem!!!!
I miss this show, needs either new seasons or Blu-Ray re-release of the old ones with added extras
Still here in 2021
He is serious. Now that's wisdom
DAMN! i just fell out of my chair. Oscar Brown Jr. blew me away again, man.
Feeling sorry for the 19 lost souls. This will always be a favorite
classic piece from a classic man! RIP Oscar Brown Jr.
I watched this as a kid, enjoying it because it was catchy. Listening to it now, for some reason almost brings me to tears. What a beautiful poem and poet.
Man I remember the first time I heard this for the first time 5 years ago and completely lost it. Till this day I’m still diggin this piece. Respect 🤩😎✊🏾
Damn. This hit in 2024❤
So relevant in these pandemic days!
I’m trying to tell you, especially with all of the racial tension as well
"sun of a bitch that's where it's at!" that part kills me every time!
This to this day is one of my favourite poems!
he's what i call ''presence of greatness'' his poem was nothing less of amazing
Why am tearing up ,i watched it dosens of times!
Sir ,i have no words Thanks and may u rest in peace!!!.........
this poem still hits like the first time i ever heard it glad to see the comment section all feeling the same way😭🙌🏼rest in pradise grandpa true legend will be forever missed!
This has been impacting me my whole life
Biiig hail of a daaaaaaaaaayyyyyyym!!!
Mr Brown,
I have no words!!! .... ..
Looooovvvvvveeeeeee!!!
Thank you !!!.........
RIP oscar brown. powerful soul.
he sent chills down my spine with the tossing of the hat. his words hit the core of my heart .
r.i.p brown
Great poem, it inspired me to write a couple of poems
-Rip Mr Brown
i just think that when we were slaves we weren't allowed to read and write,now we are poets,writers,ect.
That was incredible.
A man of with great treasures that will forever be gone.
Amazing poem!
Amazing message.
Wisdom purely wisdom
a piece of genius
This is a GReat Poem. RIP Brotha Oscar Brown Jr
There no words to even say
I apologise
Beautiful words
Deep history
What. an. amazing. person! Rest in peace, from a native American to native of this world.
oh my god this was awesome .there is nothing more that i can say, this just made my day
This is my favorite poem of all time, and I usually say that, and don't mean it, but this is my favorite! I've NEVER heard anything like it. My freshman year, I found this, and watched it AT LEAST 3 times a day. I even memorized it, though I've forgotten some since then.
Simply.....AMAZING. Chi-Town Stand Up.
I wouldn't even respect it if a rapper wrote those exact words today. It's a slap in the face of our ancestors how we piss away the millions of opportunities they broke their backs to provide for us. And not just slaves, but seasoned cats like him and our grandparents.
man he is great and have true story to tell us about his life and the past................. we should to have more respect for older people everywhere in the World even the World make one crazy man !!!
A TRUE talent!
Wow...It Was Jus Amazing
rip so amazing
I LOVE THIS!!!! i have been looking for it for so long.....one of my favorite ones!
thank you for uploading this.
MASTERPIECE!
dude i love his voice. hahaha. awesome stuff.
RIP OBJ.
one of the most intelligent minds out there!
inspiration
shivers are going down my spine
LEGEND!!!!!
I love this
amazing!!! great poem!!!
I really miss this man.
immortality and eternal praise via the altar of youtube and captured moments
the best def poetry i aver herd....
That's real swagg. Oscar Brown Jr RIP
DEEP... my hero.. straight from the windy city
this hits home
Mos Def is all kinds of sexy. Oscar Brown Jr. You the man. I totally dug this.
Spiritual . . . I caught a vibe
LOVED IT!!!
omg this man will be missed!
❤❤❤❤ Legendary ❤❤❤❤
word man..this is some good shit right here. RIP OBJ.
WHAT!!!!! smashed it.
Luv you ancestors!
a truly amazing poem.
Jesse! 😍😍 RIP 💕
never gets old
rest in paradise oscar brown junior
Great poem. That was deep and truthful.
damn oscar brown is amazin all respects to him.
RIP
not just back in the days
till this day
respect!
Has anybody seen Oscar's performance aired by UCTV University of California TV network a few years ago? Waiting for someone to upload clips from this show. It packed power.
Holyshit!
Old man teaches truth
Talk about it!!!
THIS CAT GOT ALOT OF SOUL!!
i agree 100%. i've been telling people about this man. i've never heard anything like this.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
man that was the best