Bio-Sketch

“Second2Last is the epitome of next level performance poetry!”  They are a team of four artists who fuse rhythm, vocal percussion, hip-hop, funk, reggae, jazz and blues into new forms of poetic and musical expression.  They have performed at Irving Plaza, Joe’s Pub, PS NBC’s Here Theatre, Prospect Park’s Bandshell and countless clubs, festivals, and universities.

The group (Johny Lashley, Aisha Bell, Bade Francis and B. Polite) was fortunate to work with Ruby Dee and Louis Reyes Rivera. Second2Last credits these poets as their inspiration to “make the words leave the page”.  They possess a wide range of talents and have since completed their latest CD project entitled ‘say word’, began recording their second album ‘Babble-On’, undertaken a poetry manuscript, and produced a documentary and are pursuing an animation project. Furthermore, they have added entrepreneur to their efforts and created Second2Last Inc., which currently provides t-shirts and other merchandise.

When asked what Second2Last's motivation was to continue to write and create, Johny offered the words of one of their many admirers as the reason for their driving ambition.  “Thank you for the words and music.  For poetry that challenges the injustices of existing worlds and creates space and possibilities for more just futures.”  Second2Last has a long line of influences, but one prominent quote by Franz Fanon drives their philosophy:

‘Each generation must out of relative obscurity, define its mission fulfill it or betray it.’

With such powerful words as their mantra it is now safe to say that whenever asked what does generation-X has to say for themselves, we can now offer the voice of Second2Last --- a generation that has yet to be heard… Listen.

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