Today we’d like to introduce you to Nyah Hardmon.
Hi Nyah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started spoken word poetry in High school. My creative writing teacher saw something in me in the tenth grade and encouraged/forced me to audition for the slam poetry team that she coached. I ended up not only making the team, but by my Junior year, I was president. High school was where I really explored and found my voice as a poet.
I won slams like Louder than a Bomb and Word Up, and competed nationally at Brave New Voices. I also was recognized for my poetry by YoungArts and nominated as a semi-finalist for the presidential scholar in the Arts award. In college, I was able to combine my passion for poetry with my passion for music
I collaborated with and was recognized by brands like Beats by Dre, Amazon Music, and the Recording Academy. I was able to lean into using my poetry as voiceover work, which opened doors to the world of radio and music broadcasting. This took me to work with Universal Music Group for two consecutive summers as an intern with the music strategy and tactics team and Def Jam Recordings.
Throughout my journey, performing has always been the part of my artistic career that I love the most. From performing with the nonprofit organization Art Prevails Project to performing in Washington DC with Sofar Sounds to performing at the MET in New York, being on stage feeds me in ways nothing else can. I got to where I am today with practice and dedication and most importantly a community that supports me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being a poet has not been a smooth road at all. Some of the biggest struggles come internally, with me being my worst critic. I will pour over my words for days, weeks, even months, and still not feel like it is good enough to be released into the world. I am working on advocating for myself more; showing up for myself. Once I conquer my fear of failure, I believe there will be a certain freedom in my art that allows it to flourish in ways it never has before.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a spoken word poet and music journalist. I specialize in telling stories and speaking my truth. With poetry, I like to create new worlds within my words that listeners can travel to with me. My poetry has been published in Poetry magazine and has been recognized by the National Young Arts Foundation and The Presidential Scholar in The Arts program.
I have been blessed to collaborate on poetry projects with Beats by Dre and The Washington Wizards. I think what sets me apart as a poet is my ability to have fun with my writing. I firmly believe that poetry should be fun. It should have movement and rhythm and energy just like any other living, breathing entity.
As a music journalist, I have worked with companies like Universal Music Group, Amazon Music, The Recording Academy, and the Washington Independent Review of Books. I am also working on a music magazine called Sex and Music Magazine that will debut soon. I have always loved music, and I believe my experience as an artist myself better equips me to bridge the gap between musician and audience.
In my music journalism work, I use my writing, social media, and graphic design skills to help create digital content for artists and labels. I’d say in all of the work that I do, I am most known for my voice. Both literally and figuratively. While I do a lot of voice work, I think my voice also represents my passion for speaking up for myself and what I believe in.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In 5-10 years, I see poetry getting the worldwide recognition I believe it has always deserved. I have noticed poetry becoming more and more trendy and I believe that pattern will only continue into the future. I see the days of Def Jam poetry reviving in new and innovative ways.
I see more poets being recognized in the mainstream pop culture and I can only hope that won’t dilute such a precious art form. I don’t think it will, though. In the coming years, I see poetry getting the flowers it deserves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nyah.school.blog
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyahterrilyn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nyah.hardmon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyah-hardmon-a5661319a/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nyahterrilyn
