Wilbur Bass (born May 31, 1969), better known as Blaq Poet, is an American rapper from Queensbridge, New York City.

Biography

Blaq Poet was first heard on the track "Beat You Down" from the Bridge Wars during 1987, a diss song towards

KRS-One Lawrence "Kris" Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage names KRS-One (; an abbreviation of "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone") and Teacha, is an American rapper from the Bronx. He rose to prominence as part of the ...

and

Boogie Down Productions Boogie Down Productions (BDP) was an American hip-hop group formed in the Bronx, New York City, in 1986. It originally consisted of KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. DJ Scott La Rock was murdered on August 27, 1987, five months after the ...

. At that time, Poet was at least 17 years old, as stated in a 2009 radio interview. During 1991, Poet and DJ Hot Day made a duo called PHD (Poet & Hot Day) and released their debut album, ''Without Warning'', on Tuff City Records. They released after that album several 12-inch singles and an EP until 1996 when they parted ways due to being unable to find another record label. Poet went on to team up with KL, Hostyle and Solo, creating the group Screwball. They released two albums and a compilation together before Poet went solo with the street album ''Rewind: Deja Screw'', released in 2006. The album featured production from DJ Premier amongst others. In 2007, Poet appeared on the track "Victory" on

and

Marley Marl Marlon Lu'Ree Williams (born September 30, 1962), better known by his stage name Marley Marl, is an American DJ, record producer, rapper and record label founder, primarily operating in hip hop music. Marlon grew up in Queensbridge Houses, Queen ...

's 2007 album ''

Hip Hop Lives ''Hip Hop Lives'' is the collaborative studio album by American rapper KRS-One and record producer Marley Marl. It was released on May 22, 2007 via Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at House Of Hits in New York and at Westlake Record ...

'', which was released as proof that the Bridge Wars had ended. Poet later signed to DJ Premier's label Year Round Records, and he released his second album, '' Tha Blaqprint'', on that label in 2009. The majority of the production was by DJ Premier, and guest appearances were made by the likes of Lil' Fame and Noreaga, as well as Poet’s Year Round labelmates the NYGz and Nick Javas. On the remix version of “Ain't Nuttin' Changed”, a single from ''Tha Blaqprint'', Poet collaborated with West Coast rappers

MC Eiht Aaron Bernard Tyler (born May 22, 1971), better known by his stage name MC Eiht (pronounced "MC Eight"), is an American rapper. Many of his songs are based on his life in Compton. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's nam ...

and Young Maylay. On November 3, 2020, Blaq Poet released an LP with Serious Truth entitled ''Cultural Revolution'' to critical acclaim. Inspired by current events, the album is also focused on returning hip hop back to its roots and original cultural standards. ''Cultural Revolution'' has become a cult classic among hardcore hip hop fans and DJs alike, accumulating 120,000 views, listens and streams across all platforms. Upon its release, the album frequently received airplay on radio stations in the UK, Germany, Belgium and the USA, as well as DJ Premier's radio show on

Sirius XM Sirius XM Holdings Inc. is an American broadcasting corporation headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, that provides satellite radio and online radio services operating in the United States. The company was formed by the 2008 merge ...

Discography

*1991: ''Without Warning'' (collaboration with DJ Hot Day as PHD) *2006: '' Rewind: Deja Screw'' *2009: ''Blaq Out'' *2009: '' Tha Blaqprint'' (produced by DJ Premier) *2011: ''Blaq Poet Society'' (produced by Stu Bangas & Vanderslice) *2012: ''E.B.K. - EveryBody Killa'' *2013: ''Blaq Death'' (produced by Stu Bangas & Vanderslice) *2016: ''The Most Dangerous'' *2016: ''Mad Screws'' (collaboration with Comet) *2019: ''EST: Experience, Stories and Truths'' (EP) *2019: ''Smoke'' (EP, with Comet & Astro Vandalist) *2020: ''Scribes'' (EP) *2020: ''Simon Phoenix'' *2020: ''Cultural Revolution'' (collaboration with Serious Truth)

Guest appearances

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Poet, Blaq Living people Rappers from New York City African-American male rappers 20th-century American male rappers 1969 births 21st-century American rappers 21st-century American male musicians 21st-century African-American musicians People from Long Island City, Queens 20th-century African-American musicians