OTHER MEMBERS
THE LAST POETS
Dahveed Nelson
One of the founding members of the group, it was Nelson who came up with the name for the group. Nelson appeared on the Original Last Poets film documentary and soundtrack Right On (1970). Some of Dahveed’s classic poems are,’Today Is A Killer’, ‘Poetry Is Black’, and he wrote the poem Die Nigger which was sampled by the hip hop group N.W.A.
Nilaja Obabi
(February 16, 1943 – March 1981) - The original drummer for The Last Poets.; a man who was considered "the heartbeat" that provided enthusiastic inspiration to the amazing words uttered by the poets. Nilaja featured on several of The Last Poet records including The Last Poets (1970), This Is Madness (1971), Chastisement (1972)
Gylan Kain
He is one of the founding members of the group. Kain was one of the originators of the aggressive, rhythmic delivery of spoken word aka performance poetry as it is known today. He often performs with hand drums or backing musicians such as saxophonists and bass guitarists. Kain appeared on the Original Last Poets film documentary and soundtrack Right On (1970). Some of Gylan’s classic poems are ‘Been Done Already’, ‘Tell Me Brother’, and ‘Niggers are Untogether People’.
Jalal Mansur Nuruddin
(July 24, 1944- June 4, 2018) Born Lawrence Padilla in Fort Greene in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Earlier in his career, he used the names Lightnin' Rod and Alafia Pudim. He has been coined by many as "The Grandfather of Rap" With his high, declamatory voice and his way of milking words for their sonic potential as well as their meaning. He was the first Last Poet to rhyme all of his poetry. Jalal delivered some of the group’s most urgent and incisive verses. Some of his classic poems are ‘On the Subway, ‘Jones Coming Down’, and ‘Birds Word’, which is an ode to the pioneers of Jazz music. He also created the classic Hustlers Convention (1973).
Felipe Luciano
Raised in East Harlem, Felipe has moved through life’s transitions with power and purpose. He has navigated his crusades for positive change with vision and unrivaled activism. Felipe is a 21st century Renaissance man with a noteworthy bio that seems endless–Emmy Award winner, former co-founder and chairman of the New York City branch of the Young Lords Party, journalist, radio and television personality, actor, motivational speaker, historian, revolutionary and one of the Original Last Poets. Luciano appeared on the Original Last Poets film documentary and soundtrack Right On (1970). some of Felipe’s classic poems are ‘Jibaro- My Pretty Nigger’, and ‘Hey Now’.
Suliaman El-Hadi
(September 30, 1936 - October 4, 1995) A profound poet and musician joined the Last Poets in 1972. The first album he appeared on was Chastisement. Suliaman recorded and performed with the group for the next 22 years, appearing on 8 albums, until 1994 with the album ‘Scatterrap’ being his last recording. This Korean War veteran met Jalal while performing his poetry over his conga drumming on a street corner somewhere in New York City. Unfortunately, this prolific wordsmith passed away in October of 1995. Some of his classic poems are ‘Black Soldier’, ‘Hands Off’, and ‘Before the White Man Came’.