WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.400 align:middle line:90% 00:00:02.400 --> 00:00:03.285 align:middle line:90% Wow, that's powerful. 00:00:03.285 --> 00:00:08.550 align:middle line:90% 00:00:08.550 --> 00:00:13.680 align:middle line:84% I'm going to mess the order of things up a little bit 00:00:13.680 --> 00:00:18.870 align:middle line:84% and read a longer poem that's so long that it 00:00:18.870 --> 00:00:21.870 align:middle line:84% may cause me to have to relinquish 00:00:21.870 --> 00:00:26.295 align:middle line:90% my go on the last round. 00:00:26.295 --> 00:00:28.270 align:middle line:90% This is from the project. 00:00:28.270 --> 00:00:36.420 align:middle line:84% So what I did with the project is following 00:00:36.420 --> 00:00:38.430 align:middle line:84% the lead of Fernando Pessoa, I wanted 00:00:38.430 --> 00:00:43.800 align:middle line:84% to write a series of poems under a heteronym. 00:00:43.800 --> 00:00:46.170 align:middle line:84% It's not exactly a persona, but it's 00:00:46.170 --> 00:00:49.650 align:middle line:84% close in that I think Pessoa's heteronyms were 00:00:49.650 --> 00:00:51.420 align:middle line:90% different versions of himself. 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:56.160 align:middle line:84% And this heteronym that I wrote under 00:00:56.160 --> 00:01:04.310 align:middle line:90% is called Johnny Shakespeare. 00:01:04.310 --> 00:01:07.250 align:middle line:84% And what he's doing is he's actually 00:01:07.250 --> 00:01:10.640 align:middle line:84% writing in a form called the toast for the most part. 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:13.170 align:middle line:84% And the toast, as some of you may know, 00:01:13.170 --> 00:01:18.860 align:middle line:84% is a form of oral poetry that has a long history. 00:01:18.860 --> 00:01:22.010 align:middle line:84% But it finds a good part of its generative portion 00:01:22.010 --> 00:01:24.110 align:middle line:90% in the carceral system. 00:01:24.110 --> 00:01:28.580 align:middle line:84% A lot of toasts were oral poems that incarcerated men 00:01:28.580 --> 00:01:34.220 align:middle line:84% would make up on the spot or composed in their head, 00:01:34.220 --> 00:01:36.440 align:middle line:84% and then share them with each other 00:01:36.440 --> 00:01:40.040 align:middle line:90% and use those to pass the time. 00:01:40.040 --> 00:01:42.270 align:middle line:84% Some of the toasts you might know 00:01:42.270 --> 00:01:43.520 align:middle line:90% from Etheridge Knight's poems. 00:01:43.520 --> 00:01:46.790 align:middle line:84% He has a standard, "I Sing Of Shine: Dark Prophecy." 00:01:46.790 --> 00:01:49.490 align:middle line:84% Shine is actually a character who shows up 00:01:49.490 --> 00:01:51.970 align:middle line:90% in a lot of these toasts. 00:01:51.970 --> 00:01:53.900 align:middle line:90% "Stagger Lee" is another. 00:01:53.900 --> 00:01:56.600 align:middle line:84% "Signifying Monkey" is one you might know, 00:01:56.600 --> 00:02:03.620 align:middle line:84% those from Dolemite, and Oscar Brown Jr. So 00:02:03.620 --> 00:02:06.140 align:middle line:84% what I was doing in these was writing 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:10.669 align:middle line:84% to the heteronym using a form that was created in prison. 00:02:10.669 --> 00:02:13.010 align:middle line:90% And this is funny. 00:02:13.010 --> 00:02:15.950 align:middle line:84% When I was working on this, I've worked 00:02:15.950 --> 00:02:20.210 align:middle line:84% on this for a while and kind of retroactively 00:02:20.210 --> 00:02:23.600 align:middle line:90% made it a heteronym poem. 00:02:23.600 --> 00:02:27.020 align:middle line:84% I noticed that there are certain themes that pop up 00:02:27.020 --> 00:02:28.250 align:middle line:90% throughout a lot of my work. 00:02:28.250 --> 00:02:31.520 align:middle line:84% And you guys might see some similarities 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:34.160 align:middle line:84% between the first poem I read and this one. 00:02:34.160 --> 00:02:36.980 align:middle line:84% But again, it has to do with that image back 00:02:36.980 --> 00:02:41.060 align:middle line:84% in the day of Jim Kelly I think rebelling against the police 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:42.980 align:middle line:90% state. 00:02:42.980 --> 00:02:45.840 align:middle line:90% This is a poem. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:49.480 align:middle line:84% It's kind of a double persona thing. 00:02:49.480 --> 00:02:53.130 align:middle line:84% So it's a persona poem written in the voice of Stagger Lee 00:02:53.130 --> 00:02:56.220 align:middle line:84% by my heteronym, Johnny Shakespeare, who 00:02:56.220 --> 00:02:58.770 align:middle line:84% was the creation of the artist that's currently 00:02:58.770 --> 00:03:00.390 align:middle line:90% known as John Murillo. 00:03:00.390 --> 00:03:04.240 align:middle line:90% So it's all that going on. 00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:06.700 align:middle line:84% And I think that's all you need to know. 00:03:06.700 --> 00:03:07.228 align:middle line:90% It's long. 00:03:07.228 --> 00:03:07.770 align:middle line:90% So settle in. 00:03:07.770 --> 00:03:09.240 align:middle line:84% It's called "The Ballad-- oh, Stagger Lee. 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:10.380 align:middle line:90% So who is Stagger Lee? 00:03:10.380 --> 00:03:12.218 align:middle line:84% Stagger Lee is a character that shows up 00:03:12.218 --> 00:03:13.260 align:middle line:90% in a lot of these toasts. 00:03:13.260 --> 00:03:16.170 align:middle line:84% Now, the toasts are often problematic because they're 00:03:16.170 --> 00:03:22.470 align:middle line:84% written or composed by typically young men, 00:03:22.470 --> 00:03:26.820 align:middle line:84% young men with a very hyper-masculine sensibility. 00:03:26.820 --> 00:03:30.330 align:middle line:84% So a lot of the toasts have to do with sexual prowess 00:03:30.330 --> 00:03:36.810 align:middle line:84% with martial skills, whether they be knuckle skills or gun 00:03:36.810 --> 00:03:38.620 align:middle line:90% skills. 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:41.617 align:middle line:84% So there's a lot of that in there. 00:03:41.617 --> 00:03:43.950 align:middle line:84% I try to expand this and maybe change that a little bit. 00:03:43.950 --> 00:03:45.992 align:middle line:84% I won't say too much about that and give it away, 00:03:45.992 --> 00:03:48.428 align:middle line:84% but it starts out in the same place. 00:03:48.428 --> 00:03:49.470 align:middle line:90% And that's where it goes. 00:03:49.470 --> 00:03:53.880 align:middle line:84% So Stagger Lee is the prototypical bad nigger. 00:03:53.880 --> 00:03:57.570 align:middle line:84% This is-- he's the man all the men want to be, 00:03:57.570 --> 00:03:59.190 align:middle line:84% and all the women want to be with. 00:03:59.190 --> 00:04:03.870 align:middle line:84% The best dancer, the best fighter, all these things 00:04:03.870 --> 00:04:07.750 align:middle line:84% built up into one, a caricature, if you will. 00:04:07.750 --> 00:04:08.950 align:middle line:90% But one that was useful. 00:04:08.950 --> 00:04:11.250 align:middle line:84% So in the prison system when a lot of these men 00:04:11.250 --> 00:04:13.950 align:middle line:84% felt like they were being emasculated and dehumanized, 00:04:13.950 --> 00:04:16.680 align:middle line:84% they could tell these stories about this mythical character 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:22.200 align:middle line:90% and feel somehow upheld. 00:04:22.200 --> 00:04:24.750 align:middle line:84% Stagger-- "The Ballad of Stagger Lee" 00:04:24.750 --> 00:04:27.870 align:middle line:84% or a variation on the theme by Sterling A. Brown 00:04:27.870 --> 00:04:30.410 align:middle line:84% with a slight nod to Etheridge Knight. 00:04:30.410 --> 00:04:32.730 align:middle line:90% "One. 00:04:32.730 --> 00:04:33.630 align:middle line:90% Hear ye. 00:04:33.630 --> 00:04:34.980 align:middle line:90% Hear ye. 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:37.260 align:middle line:90% Pull up a chair and sit still. 00:04:37.260 --> 00:04:40.770 align:middle line:84% I got bubblegum, and time, and a story to tell. 00:04:40.770 --> 00:04:43.980 align:middle line:84% When I'm fresh out of gum and have some place I got to be, 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:47.430 align:middle line:84% but listen close, I'll be quick about my main man, Stagger 00:04:47.430 --> 00:04:49.178 align:middle line:90% Lee." 00:04:49.178 --> 00:04:50.595 align:middle line:84% So it's not really a persona poem. 00:04:50.595 --> 00:04:53.170 align:middle line:90% 00:04:53.170 --> 00:04:54.370 align:middle line:90% "Now, once upon a midnight. 00:04:54.370 --> 00:04:57.010 align:middle line:84% Stagger Lee left the house of Harlem's finest grinning 00:04:57.010 --> 00:04:59.140 align:middle line:90% cat with the proverbial mouse. 00:04:59.140 --> 00:05:01.270 align:middle line:84% You won't believe it, but pimping Stag for once 00:05:01.270 --> 00:05:04.390 align:middle line:84% thought he might put a ring on the last woman he 00:05:04.390 --> 00:05:06.420 align:middle line:90% bedded that night. 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:09.510 align:middle line:84% He thought about her smile, thought about her lips, 00:05:09.510 --> 00:05:12.420 align:middle line:84% thought about her wide, West African hips. 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:15.780 align:middle line:84% Stag stopped to light a square, thinking about her hair, 00:05:15.780 --> 00:05:20.070 align:middle line:84% and heard, nigga, drop that cig, and get your hands in the air. 00:05:20.070 --> 00:05:24.030 align:middle line:84% The King was interrupted ruminating about his Queen, 00:05:24.030 --> 00:05:27.760 align:middle line:84% by six cops in one one car pointing guns and looking mean. 00:05:27.760 --> 00:05:31.800 align:middle line:84% They had blue guns, black guns, long guns, short guns, 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:36.060 align:middle line:84% all sorts of guns, don't show up in the report guns. 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:39.030 align:middle line:84% Stagger Lee stood steady in the streetlamp glow, 00:05:39.030 --> 00:05:41.940 align:middle line:84% blowing smoke O's and leaning against the pole. 00:05:41.940 --> 00:05:44.130 align:middle line:84% He thought to himself, these motherfuckers 00:05:44.130 --> 00:05:47.800 align:middle line:84% must got me confused for an unarmed Black man. 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:48.930 align:middle line:90% Trust. 00:05:48.930 --> 00:05:51.820 align:middle line:84% I'm Stagger fucking Lee with the wild four-four 00:05:51.820 --> 00:05:55.470 align:middle line:84% about to send six rockets through these pigs' car door. 00:05:55.470 --> 00:05:58.680 align:middle line:84% Just then, a cop shouted, nigger, can't you hear? 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:00.420 align:middle line:90% Stag said, no, sir, I can't. 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:02.610 align:middle line:90% Could you come a little nearer? 00:06:02.610 --> 00:06:05.010 align:middle line:84% A crowd started forming coming closer to see. 00:06:05.010 --> 00:06:06.840 align:middle line:84% One woman whispered, do they know 00:06:06.840 --> 00:06:09.110 align:middle line:90% they fucking with Stagger Lee? 00:06:09.110 --> 00:06:11.030 align:middle line:84% The wrinkled one, used to keeping Blacks 00:06:11.030 --> 00:06:13.160 align:middle line:84% under boot, used to smacking them around 00:06:13.160 --> 00:06:16.010 align:middle line:84% and shaking down for loot, stepped his old ass 00:06:16.010 --> 00:06:19.250 align:middle line:84% out the car he did, his old bones creaking, 00:06:19.250 --> 00:06:21.380 align:middle line:90% then he started speaking. 00:06:21.380 --> 00:06:24.890 align:middle line:84% Boy, you must don't recognize the badges in the car. 00:06:24.890 --> 00:06:26.570 align:middle line:90% You must not see the gats. 00:06:26.570 --> 00:06:27.770 align:middle line:90% You know who we are? 00:06:27.770 --> 00:06:29.600 align:middle line:90% You know where you at? 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:32.300 align:middle line:84% When we say stick your hands up, you stick 'em. 00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:35.630 align:middle line:84% Another cop said, let's beat him and kick him. 00:06:35.630 --> 00:06:38.600 align:middle line:84% The other four cops hopped out the funky ride, 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:40.880 align:middle line:84% slid their pistols into holsters pulling whackers 00:06:40.880 --> 00:06:42.020 align:middle line:90% from their side. 00:06:42.020 --> 00:06:43.910 align:middle line:90% One shouted, show ID. 00:06:43.910 --> 00:06:45.740 align:middle line:90% One hollered, hands in the air. 00:06:45.740 --> 00:06:47.930 align:middle line:84% One bellowed, butt on the ground. 00:06:47.930 --> 00:06:51.500 align:middle line:84% One stammered, s-s-stand right there. 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:54.320 align:middle line:84% A short, fat cop reached for his waist to get some mace. 00:06:54.320 --> 00:06:57.680 align:middle line:84% Stag took a drag, then flicked his cigar in his face. 00:06:57.680 --> 00:07:00.740 align:middle line:84% The old cop faltered, but a rookie felt bold. 00:07:00.740 --> 00:07:04.400 align:middle line:84% Thought he might slide up, and try that old choke hold. 00:07:04.400 --> 00:07:08.000 align:middle line:84% Wannabe marine, still on A Few Good Men hype, 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:12.020 align:middle line:84% Stag cut a thin stripe straight across his windpipe. 00:07:12.020 --> 00:07:13.220 align:middle line:90% More people gathered. 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:14.690 align:middle line:90% Those on parole scattered. 00:07:14.690 --> 00:07:18.110 align:middle line:84% Some carried banners reading Black Lives Matter. 00:07:18.110 --> 00:07:19.490 align:middle line:90% YouTubers took video. 00:07:19.490 --> 00:07:21.080 align:middle line:90% Hippies chanted peace. 00:07:21.080 --> 00:07:24.910 align:middle line:84% A few with fresh wealth sang fuck the police. 00:07:24.910 --> 00:07:27.040 align:middle line:84% Pop, pop, pop, rat-a-tat in the air. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:27.980 align:middle line:90% Calling all cars. 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:29.200 align:middle line:90% We need help over here. 00:07:29.200 --> 00:07:31.930 align:middle line:84% We got a nigger cornered as far as we can see. 00:07:31.930 --> 00:07:34.330 align:middle line:84% Dispatch asked, then what's the problem? 00:07:34.330 --> 00:07:36.535 align:middle line:84% Cop said, his name is Stagger Lee." 00:07:36.535 --> 00:07:39.400 align:middle line:90% 00:07:39.400 --> 00:07:39.900 align:middle line:90% Two. 00:07:39.900 --> 00:07:42.680 align:middle line:90% 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:44.510 align:middle line:84% "Helicopter lights showered millions 00:07:44.510 --> 00:07:48.950 align:middle line:84% of cops, armored trucks, snipers perched on tenement tops. 00:07:48.950 --> 00:07:51.800 align:middle line:84% They shut down the block, barricades and yellow tape. 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:55.880 align:middle line:84% There seemed to be no way Stag could make his escape. 00:07:55.880 --> 00:07:59.180 align:middle line:84% Stagger Lee hunkered down behind a brick wall with his cell 00:07:59.180 --> 00:08:01.490 align:middle line:90% phone dying and nobody to call. 00:08:01.490 --> 00:08:05.210 align:middle line:84% In his coat he had a flask, Desert Eagle, a few clips, 00:08:05.210 --> 00:08:09.710 align:middle line:84% half pack of Ports, one he flipped to his lips. 00:08:09.710 --> 00:08:12.890 align:middle line:84% The standoff lasted well past the break of dawn. 00:08:12.890 --> 00:08:15.950 align:middle line:84% The police chief reached for the captain's megaphone said, 00:08:15.950 --> 00:08:17.210 align:middle line:90% Stagger Lee, I'm tired. 00:08:17.210 --> 00:08:18.680 align:middle line:90% And my patience is thin. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:22.880 align:middle line:84% You got 10 seconds, nigger, to bring your Black ass in. 00:08:22.880 --> 00:08:25.970 align:middle line:84% Stag took a swig from his flask of gin 00:08:25.970 --> 00:08:29.510 align:middle line:84% and began to think what this country asks of men. 00:08:29.510 --> 00:08:30.440 align:middle line:90% Stand here. 00:08:30.440 --> 00:08:31.160 align:middle line:90% Go there. 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:33.559 align:middle line:90% Don't be too big or too Black. 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:37.789 align:middle line:84% He thought about the water hoses, police dog attacks. 00:08:37.789 --> 00:08:40.970 align:middle line:84% He thought about Breonna Taylor, Emmett Till, 00:08:40.970 --> 00:08:45.650 align:middle line:84% Oscar Grant at Fruitvale, Trayvon, and Sean Bell, Sandra 00:08:45.650 --> 00:08:48.350 align:middle line:84% Bland, Rekia Boyd, George Floyd, and Rodney King, 00:08:48.350 --> 00:08:53.270 align:middle line:84% Freddie Gray, Shelly Frey, long list, and that's the thing. 00:08:53.270 --> 00:08:56.690 align:middle line:84% Stagger Lee knew they had no plans to let them walk. 00:08:56.690 --> 00:08:59.990 align:middle line:84% He knew they had a measure for the bags and chalk. 00:08:59.990 --> 00:09:03.500 align:middle line:84% Even innocent folk couldn't breathe and walk free. 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:08.420 align:middle line:84% He thought, let alone me, gangsta ass Stagger Lee. 00:09:08.420 --> 00:09:10.580 align:middle line:84% He took another swig, dragged on his cig, 00:09:10.580 --> 00:09:12.860 align:middle line:84% then popped the shot over the top of the wall 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:14.810 align:middle line:90% and the boss cop dropped. 00:09:14.810 --> 00:09:17.660 align:middle line:84% Bedlam and panic as the pigs ran frantic. 00:09:17.660 --> 00:09:21.450 align:middle line:84% Stag kept blasting on some one man gang shit. 00:09:21.450 --> 00:09:24.720 align:middle line:84% He unloaded, swore, then reloaded his 44, 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:27.810 align:middle line:84% lit up 10 more, and the rest hit the floor. 00:09:27.810 --> 00:09:31.110 align:middle line:84% Police pissed their pants up and down the boulevard. 00:09:31.110 --> 00:09:35.120 align:middle line:84% SWAT team begged the mayor, call The National Guard. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:39.050 align:middle line:84% Days flew past, tear gas, and now tanks. 00:09:39.050 --> 00:09:42.410 align:middle line:84% To get Stagger Lee, the city broke the bank. 00:09:42.410 --> 00:09:45.770 align:middle line:84% The president, too, sent special forces and SEALs. 00:09:45.770 --> 00:09:49.100 align:middle line:84% And when asked, the Pope said, by God, 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:52.290 align:middle line:90% that nigga is just too real. 00:09:52.290 --> 00:09:56.640 align:middle line:84% Still, a Desert E clip only holds but so much. 00:09:56.640 --> 00:10:00.360 align:middle line:84% And the soldiers wouldn't get close enough to touch. 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:01.950 align:middle line:84% Then, the assistant to the assistant 00:10:01.950 --> 00:10:04.320 align:middle line:84% pulled the mayor aside, and said, 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:08.895 align:middle line:84% if you don't want him alive, think Philly in '85." 00:10:08.895 --> 00:10:11.270 align:middle line:84% And y'all can Google that if you don't know what happened 00:10:11.270 --> 00:10:13.340 align:middle line:90% in Philly in '85. 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.690 align:middle line:90% "You don't mean-- Eureka! 00:10:14.690 --> 00:10:15.440 align:middle line:90% cried the mayor. 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:18.320 align:middle line:84% And before long, a lone drone sliced the air, 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:21.710 align:middle line:84% circled wide while the cops tried to clear the block, 00:10:21.710 --> 00:10:25.460 align:middle line:84% then hovered, a hummingbird with the missiles cocked. 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:29.450 align:middle line:84% The mayor gave the gladiator's sign, thumbs down. 00:10:29.450 --> 00:10:33.800 align:middle line:84% The drone set its sights, then exploded mid-flight. 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:37.010 align:middle line:84% Duck, the mayor screamed, then scrammed, run for cover. 00:10:37.010 --> 00:10:40.400 align:middle line:84% Stagger Lee looked up and saw his number one lover. 00:10:40.400 --> 00:10:43.880 align:middle line:84% On the rooftop, leather body suit, a bazooka, 00:10:43.880 --> 00:10:45.680 align:middle line:90% fro blowing in the wind. 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:48.940 align:middle line:90% Stag said, aw, sookie sookie. 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:50.110 align:middle line:90% And she wasn't alone. 00:10:50.110 --> 00:10:53.080 align:middle line:84% She brought the Panther brigade, singing Get Up Stand Up, 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:54.940 align:middle line:90% Stag knew he had it made. 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:58.190 align:middle line:84% She rode the zip line in smooth to save the day. 00:10:58.190 --> 00:11:03.250 align:middle line:84% Her name was Nikki Black, from down the Apopka way." 00:11:03.250 --> 00:11:05.230 align:middle line:84% I'll say really quickly, I've since 00:11:05.230 --> 00:11:08.740 align:middle line:84% found out that there's a poet named Nikki Black. 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:11.590 align:middle line:84% She is not the inspiration for this. 00:11:11.590 --> 00:11:14.680 align:middle line:84% There's another Nikki from Apopka 00:11:14.680 --> 00:11:17.780 align:middle line:90% who's the inspiration for this. 00:11:17.780 --> 00:11:19.460 align:middle line:90% Three. 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.390 align:middle line:90% "La, di, da, di. 00:11:20.390 --> 00:11:22.220 align:middle line:84% Boy, Nikki Black sure had a body. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.520 align:middle line:90% The hottie said, get ready. 00:11:23.520 --> 00:11:24.950 align:middle line:90% Then tossed Stag a shotty. 00:11:24.950 --> 00:11:27.680 align:middle line:84% 12 gauge sawed off pistol grip, hold this, 00:11:27.680 --> 00:11:31.250 align:middle line:84% then she went and blew Stagger Lee a gold-toothed kiss. 00:11:31.250 --> 00:11:34.250 align:middle line:84% Now, I said I'd be quick, but here's where it all gets good. 00:11:34.250 --> 00:11:37.550 align:middle line:84% Nikki Black had gathered up all the boys in the hood. 00:11:37.550 --> 00:11:40.730 align:middle line:84% Home girls with hand grenades put pistoleros in place. 00:11:40.730 --> 00:11:45.020 align:middle line:84% A santero sang and killed a couple of goats just in case. 00:11:45.020 --> 00:11:48.020 align:middle line:84% They lit Pirellis on fire at each end of the streets, 00:11:48.020 --> 00:11:51.590 align:middle line:84% bottled gaseous rags flung at riot cops' feet. 00:11:51.590 --> 00:11:56.090 align:middle line:84% Stag said, I can last at least a dozen years, dozen days. 00:11:56.090 --> 00:11:57.500 align:middle line:84% That's when the president balked, 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:59.890 align:middle line:90% said he had golf to play. 00:11:59.890 --> 00:12:02.740 align:middle line:84% Ronald K. Chump left the mayor out 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:06.580 align:middle line:84% to dry with his bullets run low and two tears in each eye. 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:10.150 align:middle line:84% The mayor cried, Mr. President, motherfucker, can't you see? 00:12:10.150 --> 00:12:11.630 align:middle line:90% I can't do it alone. 00:12:11.630 --> 00:12:14.120 align:middle line:90% That's that nigga, Stagger Lee. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:16.610 align:middle line:84% Then Chump said, you're fired, bigly, 00:12:16.610 --> 00:12:21.170 align:middle line:84% and I quit, then signaled for his limo with the spoiler kit. 00:12:21.170 --> 00:12:24.050 align:middle line:84% And while the president bickered with the mayor and cops, 00:12:24.050 --> 00:12:27.470 align:middle line:84% one rebel snuck Stag and Nik a bag of props. 00:12:27.470 --> 00:12:30.560 align:middle line:84% Nikki Black threw on a beard, tuxedo, and top hat. 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:34.610 align:middle line:84% Stag and drag dressed in wigs sashayed away out the back. 00:12:34.610 --> 00:12:36.290 align:middle line:90% Stag chloroformed the driver. 00:12:36.290 --> 00:12:37.790 align:middle line:90% Homies held down the goons. 00:12:37.790 --> 00:12:41.550 align:middle line:84% Nikki Black phoned the pres and said the car would come soon. 00:12:41.550 --> 00:12:45.330 align:middle line:84% Chump saw the red, bobbed wig and sequins on Stag's dress, 00:12:45.330 --> 00:12:49.260 align:middle line:84% then hopped his ass right in and started groping for breasts. 00:12:49.260 --> 00:12:51.750 align:middle line:84% He reached high and low to grab as much as he could, 00:12:51.750 --> 00:12:55.530 align:middle line:84% and turned snow when Stag said, hey, oh, partner, what's good? 00:12:55.530 --> 00:12:58.890 align:middle line:84% Chump had the base in his face, a big old yam in his hand, 00:12:58.890 --> 00:13:02.280 align:middle line:84% some chilly chrome to his dome, but still could not understand. 00:13:02.280 --> 00:13:06.360 align:middle line:84% So Stag Lee cleared his throat, turned it down in a rant, 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:09.420 align:middle line:84% but Nikki Black shot the pres, and was like, I'm sorry, 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:11.010 align:middle line:90% I can't. 00:13:11.010 --> 00:13:14.460 align:middle line:84% They left the limo running with his presidential plates. 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:16.620 align:middle line:84% Nik said, we can still catch Shaft, 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:18.780 align:middle line:90% and Cheryl's is open late. 00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:21.420 align:middle line:84% And by the time they found the limo with the Chump 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:25.200 align:middle line:84% in the trunk, Stag and Nik were back in Harlem, hugged up 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:25.935 align:middle line:90% and half drunk. 00:13:25.935 --> 00:13:29.780 align:middle line:90% 00:13:29.780 --> 00:13:31.660 align:middle line:90% Wow. 00:13:31.660 --> 00:13:34.660 align:middle line:90% Johnny Shakespeare. 00:13:34.660 --> 00:13:36.280 align:middle line:90% My boy got some skills. 00:13:36.280 --> 00:13:37.990 align:middle line:90% Yeah, no, I loved that. 00:13:37.990 --> 00:13:39.970 align:middle line:90% It was very theatrical. 00:13:39.970 --> 00:13:41.680 align:middle line:90% It was almost like a video. 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:42.430 align:middle line:90% I could see. 00:13:42.430 --> 00:13:45.490 align:middle line:84% It's just very cinematic the way that it's drawn out almost 00:13:45.490 --> 00:13:46.570 align:middle line:90% like a musical. 00:13:46.570 --> 00:13:49.042 align:middle line:84% But I really love that, and I appreciate you sharing that. 00:13:49.042 --> 00:13:50.500 align:middle line:84% I know that there was some question 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:52.960 align:middle line:84% of whether you should share it, but I'm glad that you did. 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:55.010 align:middle line:90% It's a badass poem. 00:13:55.010 --> 00:13:55.510 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:13:55.510 --> 00:13:56.110 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:13:56.110 --> 00:13:57.970 align:middle line:84% I mean, Johnny Shakespeare thanks you. 00:13:57.970 --> 00:14:01.020 align:middle line:90% [LAUGHS]