Hip-hop Spoken Word

Metis is the critically acclaimed spoken word poet, who is bridging the gap between poetry and hip hop. With success in both Europe and the USA, Metis’s first album will be released in summer 2007. He wrote this powerful and moving poem especially to perform at the Dance4Life UK Event in London. For the performance for Dance4Life he was accompanied on percussion by Shovell best known as a member of the chart topping group M People. All the young people at the Event stopped and listened and roared and stamped their feet at the end. Its very powerful and says so much about what Dance4Life is doing.

We live on a Black and White globe – with an ever-widening divide
Developed World prospering / Developing World left behind
And every 6 seconds that pass on the clock-hands of time

There’s another new victim, another AIDS sufferer dying.

And speakin of counting fellas – bein a man ain’t about how many girls you can get into bed,
There’s bigger highs than needles – there’s even bigger highs than sex
Just ask your parents how they felt when their newborn baby passed a positive health-test
Or families on the other end of the spectrum like mine, who had to cope with results that were less then

With each of your help, this disease can be quieted
But the world’s watchin silently like mimes with a severe case of laryngitis

We got corrupt politicians with morals so un-indelible,
That the moment they speak, the truth fades away like echoes (echoes….echoes…)
Political puppet masters, modern day Gepettos
Pluck moral election strings for votes, get elected and then let-go
Meanwhile HIV positive Africans are collapsin like pill-poppers ravin to techno

Africa under attack.
Most Africans can’t afford to exit
These politicians SHOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL for the way they’re spending our taxable investments on over-priced long range weapons
When biologicals enemies have already penetrated our inner defenses
It don’t take 10 A-levels or a certificate from Mensa
To know there’s something wrong when 88% of AIDS sufferers can’t even afford the necessary medicine!

But Sickness is Big Business, and drug companies know this.
So they’ve got scientists working round the clock to find cures cause if they own this
They’ll be able to save Millions!
Of pounds.
In the bank.
From their bonuses.

So we can’t count on corporations, but what about all that money we pay in tax?
They tell us we got no money for infected Africans but can spend billions ‘liberating Iraq’!?

The issue is deeper than underworld ostrich politicians with their heads in the sand
Deep like Company Director’s fat wallets and HIV patients’ empty hands.

Deep like eyes closed in the West while everyday African nations
Add thousands of names to the growing list of incurable patients
I’ve got an incurable impatience
For this ignorance feigned,
But it’s –

Not too late for a PARADIGM SHIFT
It’s not a number game – and these victims aren’t just statistics
We need more than Red Ribbons
We need more than Sound Systems
We need everyone from politicians to teenagers to listen

We need people on a mission determined to make a difference
So tonight when you’re dancing don’t forget the bigger picture
Is to break free from shackles of a disease so sinister
That it steals parents from children, and turns newborns into prisoners
We need more than clichés and heresays from Prime Ministers!
More than charity boxes at work from these corporate lip servicers!
We need to shake foundations til they can’t help but listen to us!!

We’re all hear tonight to celebrate life - so lets dance,
But when you wake up tomorrow - start footprintin plans

Cause statistically speaking, someone you know in this life will get this disease.
Now that’s DEEP if it’s the person lookin at you in the mirror when you’re brushin your teeth,..
BUT IT COULD BE.
Equally deep if it’s that FINE girl you met at the bus stop last week,
Or that cute boy in class who sends shivers down your spine when he speaks.

Let me tell you something every bit as deep as Super String Theory,
I’ve seen it happen time and again in our very own communities,
Minority children infected with the disease of disbelief
So you think you can’t do anything about a problem as big as HIV
Well I’ll give you an introduction to quantum physics quickly if you allow me,
The BIGGEST EXPLOSIONS in the universe come from the smallest molecular compounds see.
The more you compress things, and the tighter you squeeze,
The more powerful the explosion when eventually released.

These compressed atoms I’m talking bout are us, and you better believe it,
You can tell we’ve got that energy from how violent our streets is
You can tell we’ve got that fire from how dirty our beats is.
And you can tell we’re ready to explode from how impassioned our speech is!
So let’s explode with direction, and destroy these diseases.
Cause to me the fact that HIV is spreading fastest in Africa looks just a little too convenient.

You’ve got the ability to change things but you gotta reach down deep kids.
So when you’re toe to toe in the ring trading blows with an opponent as strong as HIV is,
Then you attack it with intelligence and orchestrate a BELIEF BLITZ
You attack it like a dance floor when Westwood’s bass deep kicks,
Attack it like school classroom taboos where you can’t say the word penis.
Lettin shame and immaturity get in the way of preventing diseases.

So dance tonight cause your passionate,
Whether Asian, English or African,
Like ancestors rain danced let your dance be of action
All the people here tonight are dancin for you and they have been,
But if you’re old enough to understand my words then you’re old enough to add to ‘em.
If you’re old enough to understand the problem then you’re OLD ENOUGH TO ACT ON IT.

Be a child of enlightenment
Be a better life-shifter,
A tight-wire toe tipper,
A good man and a soul sista,
Be an individual-freedom-fighter against the so-sinister,
Be a practice what you preach truth speaka no-gimmicka!

You could take what’s in your heart - convert it to yo’ lingo,
Put it over Pharell’s beat and make a ready to blow single,
Or you could write it in a journal for yourself at home with NO EGO,
We gotta cherish every breath on this earth cause there’s NO SEQUEL,

Take this message to your crew or that cat you know who deep needs you
You could volunteer for a charity and spend your whole life helping people
Or you could just raise a fist of awareness with me to show people
Livin with this disease – that you care,

PEACE PEOPLE