The Last Poets

"The Last Poets" is a self-titled debut album by the influential spoken word group The Last Poets. Released in 1970, the album is considered a cornerstone of the burgeoning genre of spoken word and a precursor to the development of hip hop.

The album features a mix of politically charged and socially conscious poetry set to music, with themes ranging from black pride and liberation to police brutality and the Vietnam War. The raw, confrontational delivery of the poets combined with the militant percussion and instrumentation create a powerful and provocative listening experience.

Standout tracks on the album include "Niggers Are Scared of Revolution", "On the Subway", and "When the Revolution Comes", which address themes of racial injustice and the need for political change. "On the Subway" in particular is notable for its use of found sound, with the poets reciting their poetry over the sounds of a crowded subway train.

In conclusion, "The Last Poets" is a powerful and important work that helped to establish spoken word and poetry as legitimate and socially relevant forms of artistic expression. It remains a relevant and essential listen for anyone interested in the history of hip hop and socially conscious art.