Poetry vs. Hip-Hop® – National Poetry Month Tour with Queen Sheba, Malik Yusef, Abiodun Oyewole (of The Last Poets), Yex, Michael 'Chief Poet' Peterson, Buttafly Soul
City Winery NYC presents Poetry vs. Hip-Hop® – National Poetry Month Tour with Queen Sheba, Malik Yusef, Abiodun Oyewole (of The Last Poets), Yex, Michael 'Chief Poet' Peterson, Buttafly Soul live on Sunday, April 19th, at 7:00 PM(opens in a new tab)!
YOUR HEADLINERS!
Abiodun Oyewole (The Last Poets)
Abiodun Oyewole is a founding member of the legendary The Last Poets, widely recognized as one of the foundational groups that helped give birth to hip-hop. Formed in Harlem in 1968, The Last Poets fused poetry, rhythm, and political consciousness to create a new cultural language that would influence generations of artists.
Their work has inspired countless hip-hop legends including Nas, Common, Public Enemy, and Tupac, cementing their legacy as pioneers of spoken word performance and lyrical activism.
Queen Sheba
Queen Sheba is a 2026 /three-time Grammy®-Nominated Spoken Word-Poet (2024, 2025 & 2026), 2025 TEDx Speaker, 2x NAACP Image Award-Nominee, and founder of Poetry vs. Hip-Hop®, one of the most dynamic touring platforms for poets and emcees in the country. A Creative Loafing People’s Choice Award winner for Spoken Word Artist of the Year, Sheba has appeared on Verses & Flow, 106 & Park, Married to Medicine, and The Apollo Theater and has curated live poetry showcases for more than two decades at Atlanta’s legendary Apache Café and City Winery Atlanta.
Malik Yusef
Chicago’s Malik Yusef is an 8x Grammy Award–Winning Artist and a Grammy-nominated spoken word poet! Songwriter and cultural architect whose work has helped shape modern hip-hop.
A longtime collaborator of Kanye West, Yusef has worked alongside artists including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Common, helping bridge the worlds of poetry and hip-hop while inspiring a new generation of lyricists.
FEATURED ARTISTS
Yex (NYC)
New York City poet Yex represents the next generation of spoken word voices emerging from the city’s vibrant poetry scene. She has performed at the famous Apollo Theater and has opened for several including The Last Poets. Known for dynamic stage presence and layered storytelling, Yex blends performance poetry with contemporary urban narratives rooted in the rhythm and pulse of New York.
Michael “Chief The Poet” Peterson
Michael “Chief The Poet” Peterson, the Poet Laureate of Connecticut, is an internationally respected spoken word artist, educator, and community leader. His work explores themes of identity, masculinity, healing, and culture, and he has performed across the country sharing poetry that bridges activism, storytelling, and personal truth.
YOUR HOST - ButtaFlySoul
The evening will be hosted by ButtaFlySoul, a beloved voice in the spoken word community known for his electrifying stage presence and ability to guide audiences through unforgettable poetry experiences. Hold on for the ride!
THE EXPERIENCE
The show begins with a short selected open mic, offering a few poets from the audience the opportunity to perform before the headlining showcase.
The night culminates in the signature Poetry vs. Hip-Hop® Lyrical Battle, where two poets and two MCs compete live on stage for cash and prizes!
There are no judges and no scorecards — the audience decides the winner, who takes home cash prizes and bragging rights.
Since launching in 2015, Poetry vs. Hip-Hop® has grown into a national cultural movement celebrating lyrical excellence, community, and the powerful connection between poetry and hip-hop.
Choose a side 👀
#TeamPoetry or #TeamHipHop
🍽️ We provide food and beverage service directly to your table in the venue. Or, for an expanded menu and more relaxed experience, arrive early and enjoy a meal in our restaurant before the show. When dining in the restaurant, reservations are encouraged and can be made via Resy starting one month before the show. View Our Concert Dining Menu.(opens in a new tab)
Reserve your preferred wine by filling out this form(opens in a new tab) and have a bottle waiting at your table when you arrive at your show. No more waiting for your first drink! We will save your wine preference and have a bottle at your table for all future shows. When you want to change your wine, come back to this form and update your preference.
🎶 While we do not require a two-item food or beverage minimum, we strongly encourage it. Most ticket revenue goes directly to the artist and production costs, so food and drink purchases help support the staff, service, and atmosphere that make these intimate shows possible.
The good news: we think you’ll love the food and wine just as much as the show.
🍷 Members get 48 hour early access to new shows, pay no ticket fees, and earn points to exchange for complimentary tickets. Vinofile Plus members also receive many wine benefits. Add a membership to your cart during checkout to start saving now. Already a member? Make sure you are signed in to access your benefits. Become a Vinofile Member and enjoy the benefits today.(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab)
