POET FEATURE: Darrell Herbert the Artivist

All Black Entertainment Magazine sits down and speaks with rising, talented young poet and songwriter Darrell Herbert.  Darrell Herbert calls himself the "Artivist" because not only is he a tremendous "artist" but he also gives back to the community and helps as an "activist".  In this interview we will get more in depth with the man behind the strong and powerful words, Darrell Herbert the Voice of the Voiceless.

How are you doing Darrell Herbert?

Darrell Herbert:  I am doing fine.

You call yourself the Artivist, what is an Artivist for those that do not know?

Darrell Herbert: I call myself an Artivist because I want to be different. An Artivist is someone who fuses their art and activism.

What are some ways that you help out in the community?

Darrell Herbert: Some ways that I help out the community is through volunteering, donating money to charity, and/or talking to people who are down on hard times.

How would you describe the overall feel of your poetry?

Darrell Herbert: The overall feel of my poetry is dark, yet, it serves a purpose. A greater purpose. Figuring it out is the hard part.

What inspires you to write what you write?

Darrell Herbert: My inspiration comes from conversations, observations, and so on.

You call yourself "The Voice of the Voiceless", how did that name come about?  Why do you call yourself the Voice of the Voiceless?

Darrell Herbert: "The Voice of the Voiceless", just became a part of my identity. I call myself that because it reminds me to voice my opinion even though it is extremely difficult 

What would you like to accomplish this year that you haven't already?

Darrell Herbert: I would like to spend more time helping teenagers cope with feelings of isolation, depression, as well as suicidal thoughts.

Is there anything else you would like to mention in this interview?

Darrell Herbert: Nothing is impossible. Anything is possible.

612 Interlude (a poem by Darrell Herbert)

612 Interlude (a poem by Darrell Herbert)

All in all I'm all alone

You crossed the lines at my crossroads

I'll be gone before you go

It hurts, to know you don't know what you heard

How do you know your self-worth when you settle for less than you deserve?

Far from my dying day, and these are my trying days, but nowadays everyday is a lying day

What are you saying for me?

Have you been praying for me?

Doing too much

Not doing enough, not doing enough

And all of these other girls are crazy, and I hate the fact that you love to hate me

Akinyele, you're not in the telly, and I'm about to stay alive or die like Makaveli

I hate how things like this goes

I'll expect a yes, and receive a no from you

I've proven that I don't have the proof to expose the truth

Never would I leave your side

Never would I leave the ride before I die

Still need you beside me while we're in the sky, still need you by my side

Never would I leave your soul before love dies

For my wrongs I have just begun

Fake people think they got the realist flow

Little did they know that's all they know

I'll return after the snow

I'll be gone before you go

Slow, slow, letting go of what you hold

Now you're free to go with the flow

I need to know, which way do we go?

Oh, my old thing, my old ting was a cattie,

They send for me, but they never try to relax me

People I used to have love for keep trying to pull one over on me

Lord is my savior, they only want to reap the fruits of my labor

Old bitches with new flavors, so fuck these haters and fuck a favor

I can see right through you, look me in the eye

My replacement girl left me right around the time my main girl committed suicide

Taking shot because the charges drop

Too spacious, off amazement, I've been on hiatus

Rest in peace to all the emotions I have wasted, I need the info, not information

I grew up feeling isolated, so isolated I renovated my decision to be alienation

Just ask Satan, or my lost patience

Crazy, crazy, crazy wave, say a prayer for me without a praise

612 interlude, are they trying to kill me, who knew?

They're trying to kill me through you, through you, who knew?

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Exclusive Interview with DARRELL HERBERT (Poet)

Extremely talented poet and self described "artivist" (an activist / artist) Darrell Herbert sits down with All Black Entertainment Magazine Online for a quick one on one interview about his poetry, inspirations and more!  Read all about what this young, gifted individual has to say.....

Hey Darrell Herbert, how are you doing today?

Darrell Herbert: I am fine. Thank you for asking.

How would you describe yourself as a poet?

Darrell Herbert: Real, legitimate game-changer, outspoken, and emotional.

What are the topics and subjects that usually inspire you to write?

Darrell Herbert: I write whatever comes to mind.  If I feel sad, I'll write about it.  If I feel rejected, I'll write about it. If I feel angry, I'll write about it. Topics and subjects that I usually write about in my poetry include suicide, depression, diseases, anxiety, drug dependency, isolated, abuse, alcoholism, abandonment, homelessness, among many others.  Someone has to be that voice for the voiceless.  What's the point of caring for those who are careless? Because someone is always fighting demons that you are not in the ring with. I want to bring topics and subjects such as these up into my poetry because nobody is really talking about it.  And even if they do, they will just deny it, even through it is very realistic and problematic.

Where do you perform your poetry pieces live?

Darrell Herbert:  I perform my poetry pieces live in a variety of different places.  Places include Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Harlem, and many others.  My favorite place to perform my poetry pieces is at Live from Underground is because the crowd is non-judgmental. And I can say whatever I want without having the fear of rejection or ridicule.

Could you describe to the readers what a live poetry session starring Darrell Herbert is like?

Darrell Herbert: If I were describe to the readers what a live poetry session starring myself is like, it is very funny, there's a lot of cursing, and you won't leave the same way as you walked in.  Hopefully, readers will really grasp what I am saying. We all go through pain.  Some hide it. Others are still hiding from it. I want them to feel my pain, and realize that it is okay to feel these things. It is what makes us human. 

Who are some of the poets that have influenced you?

Darrell Herbert: There are so many. But, some poets that have influenced me are Sylvia Plath, Li Young Lee, Marie Howe, Chris Abani, Maya Wegerif, Ayi Kwei Armah, Abayomi Ogunniyi, David Ishaya Osu,  Adam Levon Brown, and Kurt Cobain.

What does Darrell Herbert do in his spare time, aside from writing? 

Darrell Herbert: I mostly volunteer, or I will try to gain inspiration from other artistic people like break-dancers, graffiti artists, painters, and many others alike.

What plans do you have for the rest of 2016? 

Darrell Herbert: I want to continue to be an inspiration for those who feel lost, misunderstood, lonely, isolated, and/or different through my poetry.  I also plan on earning more publications of poetry, as well as gaining more recognition, awards, and prizes for my poetry. 

What are some of the recent places readers can check out some of your material? 

Darrell Herbert: Readers can check out my material in the "Best Teen Writing of 2014," by Hannah Jones, Writers- Black Artists Connected Blog, Yellow Chair Review, Poetic Treasures Magazine, Section 8 Magazine, Media Blast Press, as well as in HangTime Magazine and The Lemonade Stand Magazine.