Minneapolis Freestyle

Series produced by KBEM

Series image

Minneapolis High School Students, with the help of a team of educators and poets, were encouraged to write poetry. The poems created by the students are in some cases hard-hitting, and in others, cute.

Poetry allows you to say things you would not express any other way. Today, high school students are writing a lot of poetry. Some of it is influenced by hip hop and rap, or challenges authority in what is being called freestyle poetry. But it is not all angry or challenging. Some students are creating poetry about family life and their friends, seemingly unconnected with pop culture.Minneapolis Freestyle contains selected poems that express the great range of emotions and points of view that collectively represent the student voice.


62 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Re-entry of the Father
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Joseph's father re-enters his life after years away.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Mar 20, 2014
  • Length: 02:12
  • Purchases: 1
Freedom of Speech
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Herbert addresses the importance of free speech in our country.

Bought by KVSC and KSRQ


  • Added: Mar 20, 2014
  • Length: 02:21
  • Purchases: 2
Gunshot Sonata
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Gunshot Sonata

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Mar 20, 2014
  • Length: 02:30
  • Purchases: 1
Daniela and Sister
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
In this poem, Daniela wishes that her relationship with her sister was closer.

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio and KSRQ


  • Added: Mar 20, 2014
  • Length: 02:15
  • Purchases: 2
Love Poem
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Alex was influenced to go in the direction of this poem by listening to the work of his peers.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Mar 20, 2014
  • Length: 02:43
  • Purchases: 1
To Vent
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
She's venting her anger against a family member

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 02:46
  • Purchases: 1
ADHD
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
A Minneapolis high school student tells us in verse about his decision to come off his medication.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 02:46
  • Purchases: 1
To an Ex
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Lorisa, a Minneapolis high school student, writes a poem to an ex-sweetheart. Note: It is not a love poem.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 03:20
  • Purchases: 1
Marriage
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Julisa, a young poet, gives her views on marriage which are pessimistic to say the least.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 03:18
  • Purchases: 1
To My Unborn
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Minneapolis high school student is from the point of view of the positive side of a young mother giving her baby up for adoption.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
The Word Club
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Frankie is in love with words and the rap format and sees himself as a professional rapper. You can see by this piece that he has definite potential.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:33
  • Purchases: 1
The Tax I Pay Every Day - Xavier
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
According to this high school poet, there should be more attention paid to educating youth.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:22
  • Purchases: 1
The Tax I Pay Everyday
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
You might say the piece is about the "dues" we pay. This rap-style piece from a high school student in Minneapolis is well-put.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 02:03
  • Purchases: 1
Gem - Smartness
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
A Minneapolis high school student reflects in verse on what it means to be smart.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:41
  • Purchases: 1
Trip to Minnehaha Falls.
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Educators and middle school students take a poetic trip from a middle school to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 08:24
  • Purchases: 1
Trip to Mall of America
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Joua takes us on a trip in verse to her favorite destinations on the way to the Mall of America.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:12
  • Purchases: 1
I Am From, Gabriel Spinks
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
Gabriel delivers a convincing poem relating to his Dakota ancestry.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:36
  • Purchases: 1
Lucas Stinson I Am From
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
He tells us he is from mindless self indulgence and video games...unless you think those two are the same.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:20
  • Purchases: 1
Where I'm From, Dylan Sauerwein
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
This student includes love of a video game and falling face-first into a cactus into his poem.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:24
  • Purchases: 1
I Am From
From: KBEM
Series: Minneapolis Freestyle
Piece image
In this piece, a middle school poet from Minneapolis tells of his background, including slavery and citizenship.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 19, 2014
  • Length: 01:25
  • Purchases: 1

Playlists That Feature This Series: