Chicago’s personal Grammy nominee Malik Yusef hopes to unfold ardour of spoken phrase
CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago’s personal Malik Yusef was nominated for a Grammy Award this 12 months for his personal spoken phrase poetry album.
Yusef did not win this time. It additionally was not Yusef’s first time on the Grammys — removed from it, with eight Grammy wins and 44 nominations.
Nevertheless it was nonetheless an absolute thrill for the South Facet child, whose first ardour of poetry led him to the artwork of the spoken phrase.
“I am dwelling a dream manner past my very own dream,” Yusef stated.
CBS Information Chicago caught up with Yusef earlier than the awards ceremony Sunday night time. Inside Agriculture Customized Clothier at 67 W. Chicago Ave. — which pulls NBA and NFL athletes, R&B crooners, and different notables — Yusef picked out the proper outfit for a stroll down the Grammy crimson carpet.
He defined the custom of spoken phrase.
“Spoken phrase is historical. It is Griotism. It is how folks go down data all through generations — and so they made it catchy,” Yusef stated. “It is music with out singing — a type of rhythmic poetry made for the ear, not a lot the attention.”
Yusef received his massive break after performing throughout a poetry open mic night time at Chicago’s iconic Inexperienced Mill Lounge, 4802 N. Broadway, over 30 years in the past. He caught the eye of different artists and the media there.
“It actually catapulted all the pieces,” Yusef stated.
Now, Yusef counts the largest names of the period as collaborators — Drake, Likelihood the Rapper, Jay-Z, John Legend, The Weeknd, Widespread, Fall Out Boy, Jennifer Hudson, and Adam Levine. He even cowrote “Sandcastles” for Beyoncé.
“Beyoncé singing a track that I wrote with my daughters within the backseat of my truck — It nonetheless seems like a fantasy,” Yusef stated.
Yusef obtained two nominations for the 2025 Grammys. Whereas he has beforehand gained for writing collaborations with main stars, this 12 months was his first nomination for his personal spoken-word poetry album.
“I might like one other Grammy. I’d adore it. Nevertheless it’s not likely about that,” Yusef stated. “It is about creating and increasing the class, and increasing and enriching folks’s lives.”
Yusef needs extra folks to study from and love spoken phrase the way in which he has for therefore lengthy.
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