Chicago (CBS) -Chicago’s own Mariku Yusef is Grammy Award This year for his own speech poetry album.
Usefu did not win this time. It was not the first time for Yusef at the Grammy Award. After that, the Grammy Award won eight times and had 44 nominations.
But it was still an absolute thrill for South Side Kid, and the first passion of the poem led him to speaking the art of language.
“I live in my dreams beyond my dream,” said Useef.
CBS News Chicago caught up with Usef before the Sunday night award ceremony. The NBA and NFL athletes, R & B cruners, and other celebrities 67 W. CHICAGO AVE.’s internal agricultural custom closure -YUSEF chose perfect clothes on the Grammy Red Carpet.
He explained the tradition of speaking.
“The word spoken is ancient. It’s Griot -like, it’s a way for people to give information for generations, and they have caught it,” said Yusef. “It’s music without singing. It’s a rhythmical poem made for your ears, not so much.”
More than 30 years ago, Usefu took a big break after playing a poem open microphone at 4802 N. Broadway, a symbolic green mill lounge in Chicago. He attracted the attention of other artists and media.
“It literally catapulted everything,” said Useef.
Currently, Usefu is counting the largest name of this era as a joint writer. Drake, Chance the Rapper, Jay Z, John Legend, The Weeken, Common, Fallout Boy, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine. He also COW for “Sand Castle” for Beyonce.
“Beyonce sings a song written with her daughter in the back seat of the truck. It still feels like a fantasy,” said Useef.
YUSEF received two nominations for the 2025 Grammy Award. He had previously won his collaboration with major stars, but this year was his first nomination on his own spoken poem album.
“I want another Grammy Award. I love it, but it’s not really about it,” said Usef. “It’s about creating and expanding categories, expanding people’s lives and enriching.”
YUSEF wants more people to learn and love the words they have been spoken in a long way.
Details of CBS News
Ilica Surgent
