Lexus Verses and Flow

This weekend’s episode of Lexus Verses and Flow was dedicated to the late, great poet/author/activist Dr. Maya Angelou, and placed the spotlight on a quartet of poets whose messages reminded us to, like Dr. Angelou, live life on purpose. The poets—Treesje Powers & Rudy Francisco, Breeze “I Life This” The Poet, and Joe P., shared the stage with special musical guest Johnny Gill, who serenaded the crowd during multiple performances.

Powers and Francisco, both Verses and Flow alumni, opened the show with their poem “Complainers,” dedicated to everyone who thinks life has dealt them a bad hand. After running down a list of instances where people suffered tragedies, including the loss of a hand, the duo also shared the victims’ mantra: “Hey. It could’ve been worse.” Right. And followed that up with this: “The world is full of people whose lives are defined by what tried to destroy them.“ But it didn’t. And you’re still alive. So stop complaining.

Breeze “I Life This” The Poet, straight out of Richmond, Virginia and out of his shoes, took the stage and let us know, straight up, that he tends to “break things.” That poem, detailing his failed history with love, revealed that Breeze goes hard. “I love like bald tires, black ice, crash inevitable…” He also realized that it might not get better, but he won’t stop trying. “I know how this ends,” he acknowledged, “my kind of love has always been an accident waiting to happen… but to have it, I break things. Especially myself.”

Joe P., from Houston, Texas, used his poem “What’s Your Purpose?”to let everyone listening know what his is. “You see I’m on a mission,” he started, “and I feel like time is ticking… I will bless people all across the country with hope, motivation, and the ability to utilize art to be free, and I will preach this poetry until I can’t speak no more.”

Gill, known in recent years for his collaborative work with the star-studded groups New Edition and LSG, reminded everyone that his solo work is just as extraordinary. He gave the audience a taste of his new music with “It Would Be You,” and his performance of the classic hit “My, My, My” was literally a showstopper.

What did you think of the fourth season’s second episode? Did you share your thoughts on #IAmGrateful or #WhatsYourPurpose? If not, please do so now on social media along with the hashtag #VersesandFlow.