Conversations with Edd The Wordsmith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Edd The Wordsmith

Hi Edd the wordsmith, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was 8 years old, I inadvertently won my first poetry competition. It wasn’t intentional; I wasn’t particularly interested in poetry at that time, but only submitted something as all the students in my school were required. Upon winning, I didn’t immediately commit to being a writer, but this experience merely foreshadowed my later endeavors. At about 10 years old, I fell in love with music, but was often more drawn to the lyricism and themes of a band or artist than the music itself. I then began to write my own songs and verses which I would sing or rap or croon or growl, depending on the music I was most inspired by at the time. By the time I was a teenager, I was fully committed to being a writer and performer. That’s when I discovered slam poetry, which seemed like a strange hybrid of lyricism and theater. So, obviously, I was hooked. As of last summer, I’ve been writing and performing slam poetry for 25 years. I also write movies, music, and host several podcasts, but performance poetry will always be a foundational form of self-expression for me, one which, regardless of whichever other mediums I pursue, I never have left behind. And, at this point, I likely never will.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
From an early age, I’ve struggled with debilitating depression, as well as some pretty intense performance anxiety. I spent many years, not just thinking my art is not worth the attention of an audience, but I’m not even worth the effort it takes to create art and express thoughts and feelings and ideas. Over the last several years, however, I’ve learned to view performance as therapy. When I take the stage, I’m telling myself that I matter, and so does my art. Performance has given me a reason to move forward. So now I’m grateful for every opportunity to perform and share my work with others. I still have a panic attack or two leading up to the performance, but it tends to wash away once I take the stage and begin my performance.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work focuses on issues related to class and abilities, both physical and mental, as well as more overarching issues of social inequality. Through my art, my goal is to inform an audience of a perspective they’ve maybe never considered. I attempt to do this through captivating, lyrical storytelling, incorporating rhythms and language to entertain, in addition to the advocacy of a subject to inform. I attempt to speak to experiences which may largely go unnoticed but which paint a brighter picture of inequity, so an audience can feel the universality of what may seem like an unrelatable experience. Ultimately, my goal is to fill the gaps between art and advocacy, and I seek to do this as originally as possible. I don’t believe there are writers or performers who speak to the issues I’m speaking in the style that I present, which I believe is important to get people to pay attention to what I’m saying. Nothing could make me prouder than when other artists have told me how my works have inspired them to address issues in their works, as well as audience members telling me I’ve made them consider these issues in ways they hadn’t previously.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
As I tend to focus on art and other creative pursuits primarily, I don’t spend a lot of time watching traditional sports. I don’t know who most professional athletes are or the teams for which they play. However, since my partner began playing over a decade ago, I have grown an obsession with roller derby. I’ve even coached, and my kids play as well. If I’m not on stage performing, you can bet I’m at a derby game somewhere. Also, fitness is incredibly important to me. I spend a lot of time in the gym, lifting weights at least 4 days a week as well as running a 5k every day. So most people are even more shocked I don’t follow professional sports franchises, given my physical prowess. Little do they know I train to stay fit so I can be more comfortable as a stage performer.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddthewordsmith
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddthewordsmith
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eddthewordsmith
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@eddthewordsmith