The mind of a poet explores every angle possible. There isn't much to say that accomplished dream chaser Miss Dia hasn't already said. In the interview below, she goes in full depth details about everything she does without missing a thing. Check out my next guest Miss Dia!
You're working on a new project. Tell me more about it.
Dia: I
am very excited to release my 4th poetry project entitled, "My
Autobipoetry". I will be packaging the project with a chat book.
The chat book will include the stories behind the poems because ALL my
poems have a story behind them, even if it's someone else's. I
anticipate releasing it Dec. 18th at my poetry feature in Milwaukee
(Poetry Unplugged @ Nostalgia 1.. 7155 n. 43rd st) I pride myself on not being a one
dimensional poet. I have a blend of poems to appeal to a wide audience. For example, I have a poem called Fake Azz Pimp. It sums up the people
who get into that lifestyle and act a certain way off of an assumption
that that's how its done. Then I offer poems with a more comedic tone
like "Voicemail". I wanted to be the voice of what runs through a
woman's mind when she get those unwanted 2 a.m. calls. This project has it all from relationships
to self repair as well as a tribute to my late father, whom I recently
lost in October of 2011. This has been a helluva year and this project
takes you through it track by track.
When did you first begin writing poetry?
When did you first begin writing poetry?
Dia: I
began writing poetry sometime in middle school. I wasn't really into it
but we had to do it for assignments. My teacher and friends at school
would always talk about how good of a writer and speaker I was during
programs and class projects. It was 1993 when my cousin Derrick, who was
already well known for being one of the coldest rappers in our city,
ignited my love for rhyming & writing.
I was determined to be the female Pac, lol. However, I had horrible
stage fright. I would always spit in circle ciphers which is way
different then being center stage. I was what some would call, a studio
artist. There was a turning point for me in 1995. I saw this poet win
Showtime at the Apollo and knew that was what I wanted to do, I just had
to see it with my own two eyes. I put out my first solo project, entitled "Boss Biz" in 2007. It was declared a Rap CD but I included some of my poetry as
my way to stand out in the waves of emerging local female MC's. At the
time I was working at a gas station and my manager let me put it on
display and sell them. The more I sold, the more the word spread. There
were days I sold more of my CD then cigarettes.
Word of mouth had event coordinators looking for poets and people
suggesting me.
Where was your first performance? When did you know had true talent?
Dia: My very first poetry performance was at the Midwest
Comedy Show at the Onyx, in Milwaukee. I was approached by the event's
photographer for the night, who told me I should go to Poetry Unplugged
open mic. That was December 2008. It was during a poetry slam competition
so I didn't get to spit until Jan. 6th, 2009. I remember the date
because that was the day I knew I had true talent.
What
would you say is your biggest accomplishment as far as poetry is
concerned? Is there a specific place that you would love to perform at?
Dia: My biggest accomplishment that happened BECAUSE of poetry was getting over my stage fright. Within Poetry, I think every
accomplishment so far has been bigger than the last. I would have to
say having my poetry played on WKKV V100.7 for 9/11 tragedy a few years
in a row was definitely a highlight. Then, I hosted my own weekly poetry
set in 2011 for almost year but my Blogtalk radio show, The Poetry Push,
is my biggest accomplishment to date. As for places I would love to
perform, I'd say it's my dream to spit anywhere in New York. I would love
that.
Who is your favorite poet? Why?
Dia: The
unnamed aforementioned, Jessica Care Moore. She is the poet that I was
referring to that won at the Apollo. Don't get me wrong, I have several
artists that I respect and admire and I am continually attracted to the
words of the latest hot poet on the scene. Jessica Care Moore however,
will always be my favorite because she was to me what black barbie was
suppose to be for black girls. I was able to relate to her Hip Hop and
poetry mix at a time when I wasn't sure which genre I belonged to. She
wasn't just rocking in her living room or local cipher. She was national
and people ate it up. She is considered the spoken word laureate of the
hip-hop generation.
Do you ever plan to publish your work into a book?
Dia: Yup!
My chat book I will release with this latest project is a sneak peek
to the fictional biography that I have been writing entitled, "Heart
Condition". I plan to finish tentatively, in late summer of 2013.
Your
radio show on BlogTalkRadio is creating a buzz, do you hope to host a known
national radio show and advertise your poetry that way? How often is
your show on the air?
Dia: Well, technically it is national because
it is on the internet and anyone can access it. I also offer it free
download on iTunes. However, to be on a premier radio network would be
amazingly dope! A blessing I would be thankful for but not pursue. I
always wanted to use my poetry as a communication tool in rehabilitation
and motivational settings like schools, prison and motivational
speaking seminars; kinda like the not so religious street version of
Joyce Meyer. I believe there are healing power in words and I want to be
a part of those known for giving goose bumps when they spit. I'm Pushin
Poetry every Friday at 8pm CDT on BlogTalk Radio, "Tha Poetry Push
show" It's a show where words play! A mix of poetry/music/comedy and
commentary. I bring to the poetic table both street & book
knowledge. Touching on issues like relationships, self-reflections and
conscious concerns. I also offer a platform for any poet who wants to be
heard.
Why is it important for you to share your poetry?
Dia: It's important because I have a son and
one day he will be able to read all about his mom through her poems,
[so] I'll never leave him! I was given this talent and the first thing I
learned in life was not to waste anything that was given to you. I have
been through a lot and when I think of all the fuel behind my writing, I
understand why.
It's pretty tough to make a good name for yourself in poetry. How do you plan to make your dreams concrete?
Dia: I had to
realize that I have a purpose. I was chosen to be one of the messengers
to the masses through my artistry. It's so much bigger than performing
and it's not categorized as a profession that will consistently sell
out amphitheaters and super domes. So that's why I want to venture into
writing books and be in demand to perform at schools, prisons and seminars.
I want to make healing with words as popular and normal as over the
counter meds.
Success is thought of differently to everyone. What does it mean to you?
Dia: It means loving what you do. I
would like to be comfortable enough to be able to sit back and enjoy the many
accomplishments I have yet to achieve. It's hard to see the good of things when
problems, money problems especially, are blocking your vision. I won't say that
I don't want to be rich but I will say that I want to be rich for other people
sake. It is a success to be able to take care of those you love. When some
little poet thinks of me like I thought of Jessica Care Moore 15 years ago up
until this very moment, then I will see my idea of success.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
Dia: I
see myself in books that talk about great poets. I see myself in the
styles of any poet that looked through and mirrored any of
my YouTube and Sound Cloud downloads. I see myself loving what i
do.....still:)
Thank you so much for the interview!! Help me in support of the lovely Miss Dia!
Follow on Twitter @MissDiaPoetry
And Instagram @PoetryPusher
--Free<3
@InkStains_
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