Abiodun Oyewole
- Oyewole is the author of Branches of the Tree of Life: The Collected Poems of Abiodun Oyewole 1969-2013 and On A Mission: Selected Poems and a History of the Last Poets.
- The Last Poets‘ spoken word albums preceded politically laced Rhythm and Blues projects, such as Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, and foreshadowed the work of hard-hitting rap groups like Public Enemy and Dead Prez. It is widely considered to be the first hip hop group.
- Over the years, Oyewole has collaborated on more than a dozen albums and several books.
A mentor, a critic, and an inspirational voice of truth, he is a poet that shares his life with the world, and I am forever grateful for being one of the flowers he helped bloom.
... a one man poetic army, his word and that big, booming voice of his are his weapons, but that heart - his love for poetry and people are the healing salve.
BRANCHES OF THE TREE OF LIFE is a literary treasure. Abiodun Oyewole is a living legend who speaks truth to power and celebrates the life, struggles, triumphs, beauty and realities of being African in America. Kudos to this magnificent collection of one of the world's foremost poetic giants.