Bowie state student competes in annual CIAA competition

In order to qualify for the competition, which is called ‘‘Coca-Cola Presents: Showtime at the Apollo”, Bennett had to audition before a panel of judges at Virginia State University a week before.

Dell Jackson of Coca-Cola, who watched Bennett’s performance on March 1, said Bennett has a lot of talent.

‘‘It was a tough crowd, but he did a great job,” Jackson said.

Bennett said that he has performed at spoken word competitions all over the country and has been on stage with musicians Keith Sweat and Floetry.

‘‘When I was in fifth-grade I saw a movie called ‘‘Slam” starring Saul Williams,” Bennett said.

‘‘Slam” tells the story of Ray Joshua, a gifted spoken-word artist trapped in a war-zone housing project known as Dodge City.

Unable to find a job, Ray copes with the despair and poverty of his neighborhood by using his wits and verbal talent.

Bennett said that he found the character and his story inspiring.

‘‘I had always been interested in writing poetry, but it wasn’t until I saw the movie that I became interested in performing the words I was writing,” Bennett said.

During the competition, Bennett performed a poem entitled ‘‘18 years to life” which is about his decision to be a father to his son instead of just ‘‘18 years of child support”.

Though Bennett did not win, he said the competition was a great experience and will help him become a stronger performer in the long run.

‘‘I appreciate that Bowie State and the Coca-Cola Company gave students the opportunity to express themselves in this competition,” Bennett said.

Bennett, whose stage name translates to ‘‘Excellent Wordsmith” said that he tries to live his life by a quote his grandmother used to say to him.

‘‘When you’re dead and gone your words will live on, so while you’re alive make sure you speak the truth,” Bennett said.

For more information or to contact Bennett his Web site is www.hipsotry.com.

E-mail Wendy McConnell at wmcconnell@gazette.net.