From the 2008 Rustbelt Poetry Slam, Columbus, OH...
Unheard Testimony
BILLY TUGGLE is, as DJ Motion says, a verbalist. Also known Karma, Billy
is a vocalist and performance poet, recording artist, author, activist, mentor, student, HipHop culturalist. Since 2004, he has been a member of the Chicago multimedia arts collective PolyRhtyhmic; he has represented the Chicago area at the National Poetry Slam 6 years running and has been published in the Columbia Poetry Review, the 16th & Mission Review and his chapbook, "Conscience Under Pressure", by Fractal Edge Press. In 2004, released the live recording "Flawed Glory" and later, the mixtape "Syllabalistsics 101" mixed by DJ Risky Bizness. Billy has also appeared in educational video and films. He has been active in the Temple of HipHop for over a decade and has shared stages with Pevin Everett, Pug$ Atomz, PRIME, the Large Professor, Dennizen Kane of Typical Cats, J.U.I.C.E, DJ Spinna, Jesse De La Pena, the Evan Coleman Group and KRS-ONE.
As a performance poet...
+2001-02: member Chicago/Wicker Park [Mental Graffiti] team in the Midwest Slam League
+2004: member Chicago/Wicker Park [Mental Graffiti] team, National Poetry Slam
+2005: Finalist in the Cornerstone Neo-Soul Poetry Slam, Chicago; member Chicago/Mental Graffiti team, National Poetry Slam
+2006: member Chicago/Mental Graffiti team, Rustbelt Regional Slam champions, NPS top 10 semifialists
+2007: qualified for Chgo/Mental Graffiti and Palatine, IL teams; player-coach Team Palatine, NPS qualifier, Dallas Invitational Poetry Slam; National Poetry Slam
+2008 Chicago/Mental Graffiti Grand Slam champion; member of Chicago/Mental Graffiti, Rustbelt Regional Slam finalists, NPS top 10 semifinalists; Individual World Poetry Slam, 47.
+2009 member Chicago/Mental Graffiti team, a record 5th time and 6th consecutive NPS
Billy Tuggle: Karmadelic Anti-Tour's Friend Space (Top 31)
Billy Tuggle: Karmadelic Anti-Tour has 663 friends.
ARC AND HUE will also be available at the Chicago book parties: 10/1, 8:30 p.m. Katerina’s, 1920 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60613 10/2, 8 p.m. The Silver Room, 1442 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642
We are all journey men, attempting to be better than last year. A quest we hold with both hands clutched like claws holding hope hostage till the day we get there. peace my brotha and be excellent....Blessings
Believe in yourself And all you are worth Trust that you were put here To serve a great purpose on this earth You have the abilities Many capabilities To transform yourself Into a powerhouse of wealth
You just have to learn To tap into your resources Which are buried within Allow your talents to flourish, allow yourself to win You can be and do all things If you learn to trust yourself and believe Allow your mind to open up While your blessings of life are received
Many times we claim to be failures Because we figured we've tried enough And to no avail we didn't succeed But there is a lesson we must heed If we've tried one way We need to try another The dream that is inside of you Still has a light, it still has a flutter
For if it didn't Your mind would be at ease But its not So this is your moment to seize Don't buy into negativity Its never gotten anyone anywhere but down You are looking to excel above and beyond And all around
Your thoughts become your actions So act on your dreams I'm willing to bet you They are closer than they seem Learn to LOVE yourself Because nothing can move forward if you don't Let go of negative people, thoughts, feelings Release yourself of that pain and hurt
Once you have turned your attitude Into a positive motivating force You are ready To win life's obstacle course So just know that without any doubt You are a winner and destined to succeed All you have to do Is work hard at what you desire & continue to believe
Go to my Blog and Check out my New Music Photo Video for your 2009 Inspiration, WHERE YOU WANNA BE? You can also VOTE for my music to be heard on ABC RADIO NETWORK @ WWW.MEERMUSIC.COM/ZSIAAH Peace and Blessings ZSIAAH
B Tuggle! It's been far too long friend :) I hope you are doing well, on the road as much as you would like, and still finding time to smile to your self, and with the Mrs. :) I miss you friend...hope you're up!
..
