Louder Than a Bomb 2011

Series produced by WBEZ

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Just in time for National Poetry Month, Chicago Public Media (WBEZ-Chicago) is thrilled to distribute a series of studio recordings featuring the finalists of the 2011 Louder Than a Bomb Teen Poetry Festival and Competition.

For the seventh year now, WBEZ invited competition finalists from this nationally-renowned teen poetry slam, hosted by Young Chicago Authors, into our studios to record their work.

We present to you 22 new pieces (all under 3 minutes). Enjoy!


22 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Sarah Bruno
Poet Sarah Bruno, 18, is a senior at Walter Payton College Prep and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as a member of team Youmedia Chicago. Expl...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:46
Caption: Nina Coomes
Poet Nina Coomes, 17, is a senior at Northside College Prep; she competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 representing her high school. Her piece, Pret...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:51
Caption: Essie Linzy
Poet Essie Linzy, 17, is a junior at Whitney Young and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as an Indy Poet. Her piece, I Don’t Like Girls, is abou...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:06
Caption: Bryan Byrdlong
Poet Bryan Byrdlong, 17, is a senior at Whitney Young; he competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 representing his high school. The subject of Pops is...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:27
Caption: Kane A. San Miguel
Poet Kane A. San Miguel, 17, is a senior at Emerson V.P.A. in Geary, IN and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as a member of team Shh!… Listen re...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:31
Caption: Kush Thompson
Poet Kush Thompson, 16, is a junior at Orr Academy; she competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 representing her high school. When asked about the sub...

Bought by KDNK


  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:57
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Cecilia Tate
Poet Cecilia (Ce-Ce) Tate, 16, is a sophomore at Curie Metro High and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as a member of team Lyrical Revolution re...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:58
Caption: Ashaki Howard
Poet Ashaki Howard, 17, is a senior at Kenwood Academy and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as a member of team Epic Sound representing her high...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:48
Caption: Christian Robinson
Poet Christian Robinson, 18, is a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School; he competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 representing his high sch...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:32
Caption: Sherry Reuter
Poet Sherry Reuter, 17, is a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School; she competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 representing her high school....

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:16
Caption: Elisha Miles
Poet Elisha Miles, 17 (who turned 18 during the competition), is a senior at Northside College Prep; she competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 repres...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 03:13
Caption: Benj Sullivan-Knoff
Poet Benj Sullivan-Knoff, 18, is a senior at Northside College Prep; he competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 representing his high school. His piec...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:36
Caption: Team Northside College Prep
This team piece is performed by the team representing Northside College Prep, comprised of poets: Nina Coomes,17, Benj Sullivan-Knoff, 18, Elisha M...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:56
Caption: Briana Tomlinson
Poet Briana Tomlinson, 16 (who turned 17 during the competition), is a junior at Kenwood Academy and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as a membe...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:51
Caption: Slayton Goodman
Poet Slayton Goodman, 17, is a junior at Kenwood Academy and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as a member of team Epic Sound representing his hi...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:23
Caption: Team Kenwood Academy
This team piece is performed by Kenwood Academy’s Epic Sound, comprised of poets: Ashaki Howard, 17, a senior; Kristen Turner, 16, a junior; Rachel...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:56
Caption: Samuel Carroll
Poet Samuel Carroll, 17, is a junior at Lincoln Park High School and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as a member of team Youmedia Chicago. For...

Bought by Prairie Public


  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 03:04
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Dominique James
Poet Dominique James, 16, is a sophomore at Walter Payton College Prep and competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 as a member of team Youmedia Chicago...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:27
Caption: Team Youmedia Chicago
This team piece is performed by Youmedia Chicago, comprised of poets: Dominique James, 16, a sophomore at Walter Payton College Prep; Malcolm Londo...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 03:21
Caption: Melana Bass
Poet Melana Bass, 17, is a junior at TEAM Englewood; she competed in Louder Than a Bomb 2011 representing her high school. ‘What would I do withou...

  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:36