Louder Than a Bomb 2012

Series produced by WBEZ

Series image

Just in time for National Poetry Month, Chicago Public Media (WBEZ-Chicago) presents the latest series of studio recordings featuring finalists from the 2012 Louder Than a Bomb Teen Poetry Festival and Competition.

Founded in 2001, the annual "Louder Than A Bomb" teen poetry slam engages schools and community organizations from all over the Chicago area. This friendly competition gathers the best and brightest young writers (age 13-19) from throughout the region with the winners going on to represent Chicago at the national level. Each year since 2005, WBEZ has invited competition Finalists into our studios to record their work.

We present to you 24 new pieces (all right around 3 minutes), exploring themes of race and identity, religion, sexuality, teachers, self-improvement, the power of youth voices, national and international affairs. Enjoy!


24 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Why You Talk Like That? by Malcolm London
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Malcolm London
Poet Malcolm London, 18, is a 2011 graduate of Lincoln Park High School and participated in Louder Than a Bomb for the third year, this time as par...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:44
Rosie by Essie Lindzy
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Essie Linzy
Poet Essie Lindzy, 18, is a senior at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. This is her second year participating in Louder Than a Bomb. Rosie reca...

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio


  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 03:08
  • Purchases: 1
For Colored Girls Who Considered Yaky by Kush Thompson
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Kush Thompson
Poet Kush Thompson, 17, is a senior at Orr Academy High School, but she was representing YOUmedia Chicago in this year's competition. This is her ...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 03:14
Brown Girl Grows Up Black by Asha Ransby-Sporn
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Asha Ransby-Sporn
Poet Asha Ransby-Sporn, 17, is a senior at University of Chicago Laboratory High School. This is her first year participating in Louder Than a Bom...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:43
The Surrender of Troy Davis by Miona Short
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Miona Short
Poet Miona Short, 16, is a junior at Walter Payton College Prep High School, but she was representing YOUmedia Chicago in this year's competition. ...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:57
Elvis by Camara Brown
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Camara Brown
Poet Camara Brown, 16, is a junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. This is her first year participating in Louder Than a Bomb. Her piece...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:31
Lurking Strangers by Cecilia "Ce-Ce" Tate
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Ce-Ce Tate
Poet Cecilia "Ce-Ce" Tate, 17, is a junior at Curie Metro High School. This is her second year participating in Louder Than a Bomb. Her piece, Lur...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:56
Truth by CeeJay "Shock Therapy" Hannah
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: CeeJay "Shock Therapy" Hannah
Poet CeeJay "Shock Therapy" Hannah, 18, is a senior at Percy L. Julian High School. This is the first year the school has participated in Louder T...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:33
To Save a Monster by Whitney Young HS Slam Poetry Team
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Whitney Young HS Slam Poetry Team
To Save a Monster is a team piece performed by the poets of the Whitney M. Young Magnet High School Slam Poetry Team: seniors Essie Linzy, 18, and ...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 03:02
To Be Dr. Seuss's Son by Christian Palacios
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Christian Palacios
Poet Christian Palacios, 17, is a junior at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. This is the second year he has represented his school at Louder Th...

Bought by KUOW


  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 03:01
  • Purchases: 1
D.A.D. by Faith Lloyd
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Faith Lloyd
Poet Faith Lloyd, 17, is a junior at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. This is the first year she has represented her school at Louder Than a Bo...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:52
Social Damnation by Kenwood Academy
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Epic Sound Slam Team
Social Damnation is a team piece performed by the poets of Epic Sound, the Kenwood Academy Slam Poetry Team: seniors Kristen Turner, 17, Rachel Smi...

Bought by KUOW


  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:44
  • Purchases: 1
Prayer to God by Donald Lesley
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Donald Lesley
Poet Donald Lesley, 17, is a senior at Kenwood Academy. This is the first year he has represented his school at Louder Than a Bomb, which advanced ...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:40
Egypt by Natalie Richardson
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Piece image
Poet Natalie Richardson, 16, is a junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School. This is her second year participating in Louder Than a Bomb. Eg...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:36
"Whatever you are, be a good one." by Keith Warfield
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Keith Warfield
Poet Keith Warfield, 18, is a senior at TEAM Englewood Community Academy High School. This is his fourth year participating in Louder Than a Bomb....

Bought by KHSU and KSFR


  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 03:02
  • Purchases: 2
I'm Not an Envelope Opener by Tova Benjamin
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Piece image
Poet Tova Benjamin, 17, participated as an individual poet representing In One Ear Open Mic at the Heartland Cafe. This is her first year particip...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 03:34
The Commute by Northside College Prep
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Northside College Prep Slam Poetry Team
The Commute is a team piece performed by the poets of Northside College Prep Slam Poetry Team: seniors Ashley Gonzalez, 18, and Tyler Sauter, 18, a...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:53
Our Voices by Julian HS Slam Poetry Team
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Julian HS Slam Poetry Team
Our Voices is a team piece performed by the poets of the Percy L. Julian High School Slam Poetry Team: seniors Jeffery "Tri-flow" Cain, 18, and Syd...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:27
My Generation by Ivery "Poison Ivery" Johnson
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: Poet Ivery "Poison Ivery" Johnson
Poet Ivery "Poison Ivery" Johnson, 15, is a sophomore at Percy L. Julian High School. This is the first year the school has participated in Louder...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 03:44
What Black People Say to Racist Republicans by TEAM Englewood
From: WBEZ
Series: Louder Than a Bomb 2012
Caption: TEAM Englewood Slam Poetry Team
What Black People Say to Racist Republicans is a team piece performed by the poets of TEAM Englewood Community Academy High School Slam Poetry Team...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 02:55