Spoken word poetry emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the rise of poetry slams, competitive performances of poetry that drew influence from rap music and rapper competitions. The Nuyorican Poets Café in New York City was an early venue for spoken word, allowing artists to express social issues through performance poetry. Poetry slams and venues like the Nuyorican Poets Café helped popularize and develop the art form of spoken word performance poetry.

1. Spoken Word Poetry Slam Speak your mind speak your heart

2. What is Spoken Word? Spoken word did not evolve until the late 1980s and early 1990s with the emergence of " poetry slams ,” competition of slam poetry probably arose from rap music and rapper competitions. The Nuyorican Poets Café in New York City was one of the first venues for artists to express social discontent. http://www.nuyorican.org/video.php