eep a watch
out for Tylibah, a young Brooklyn-bred spoken word artist on the rise who
aims to uplift her people with her heartfelt poems and lyrics.
On Valentine’s Day Tylibah’s first book, Streets in Poem Form
will reach the public. It has a forward by Council Member and mayoral
candidate Charles Barron with special quotes from Dr. Cornell West, Rev.
Herbert Daughtry, Council Member Yvette Clarke, New Federal Theatre
Producer Woody King, Jr. and several others who have been influential in
her life.
The
book is a compilation of Tylibah’s thoughts on many subjects. It begins
with a rather personal section showing who she is, where she comes from
and what she stands for. Next is a more social section with poems such
as "Ghetto Brother Blues," which reaches out to all her brothers in the
‘hood, and "As You Read the Letter" about a woman who just broke up with
her longtime lover. "They’re the kind of things anyone can relate to,"
says Tylibah. The final section includes her more political works in
which she speaks out against the war on Iraq, talks about reparations
and addresses other important issues.
In addition to her book, Tylibah is also working on several music
tracks. Her debut record entitled "Feeling Me" is scheduled for release
in early March, and you should be able to hear it soon on the hip-hop
and R&B stations in the New York City area. It’s a very upbeat feel-good
dance song, great for parties and social gatherings.
"Feeling Me" was produced by Kingsley Gardner, President of KGM
Entertainment who is also signed to EMI. Gardner put out the first
single for the movie "Bad Boys" with Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. The
track was "Shy Guy" sung by Diana King, and it sold over four million
copies in about three months. Gardner also just completed four songs for
the upcoming film "The Door in the Floor" with Kim Basinger and Jeff
Bridges.
Gardner says that one of the important things about Tylibah is that
she’s doing pieces that are uplifting in a creative way and at the same
time danceable. "Her first single is really good," he commented. "It’s a
mix of Caribbean reggae with street hip-hop and it’s got a nice dance
beat."
[columns/ad_middle.htm]He
went on to say that it’s hard to find people who are good at writing
their own material, but Tylibah is one of those rare people. "Basically
she delivers an energy that’s a little different from what other people
are trying to do," he said. "She’s unique. I think she’s excellent now
and has the potential to become a great artist."
Gardner said that he’s working on signing her for a few shows in
Europe and other countries overseas, as well as gigs opening for new
artists.
Tylibah has also been working with Rahim Beyah, an A&R (developer of
new talent) with Henchmen Records who, as he puts it, "works with
artists to see if they have what it takes to go to the next level." He
manages several well-known rappers such as Black Rob and singer Mario
Winas.
A friend brought Tylibah to him and as he "vibed with her for a
little while," he keyed into the fact that Tylibah studied journalism in
college and had written a book of poetry. Her literary and journalistic
background told him that she would be more prolific and outspoken than
many other persons you might find. "I thought she could give the people
a whole lot more than just the regular rhetoric," Beyan said. "So I
decided to take a certain amount of my time and dedicate it to her to
try to get her off the ground." He is setting up a tour of Korea and
Tylibah hopes to be on it.
Of course Tylibah is very excited about the release of both her first
book and record. She says, "I want people to know this is heartfelt
material and that it’s really important to me that I satisfy people with
it because without the people who have stuck by me and supported my
career, I couldn’t have made it this far. I want to let them know that
they have a lot to look forward to from me in 2004 and beyond. I’m just
starting," she continued. "I’m paying my dues, but in the process I’m
hoping to make history."
Tylibah is available to perform her poems and for book signings with
ten people and more. She can be contacted at (877) 715-1248 or
Tylibahinc@yahoo.com.
