![\"Philosophy01\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Philosophy01.JPG\")
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Above the clamor of an overcrowded Portfolio Coffeehouse and the hubbub of a busy street corner, as the sun sets above an overcast evening sky, an intriguing artist shares his story.<\/p>\n
His name is Charlie E. Scott III, also known as Philosophy\u2014a persona that precedes itself. And upon meeting him you notice two things: a colorful and sharp style and a welcoming smile that makes you feel like you\u2019re old friends. <\/p>\n
Scott is a poet and North Long Beach native who has seen the landscape of his beloved city change simultaneously with his craft. That\u2019s where his legacy and tenacity comes from: his ability to change as he takes his career as a poet to new territory and heights.<\/p>\n
Scott’s prolific performances have garnered him a reputation for being both charismatic and passionate. His energy and prowess on stage paved the way to garnering the opportunity to perform at Hollywood\u2019s Improv Comedy Club, making him the first poet to perform at that venue. <\/p>\n
Yet, every great artist has a beginning. <\/p>\n
Scott\u2019s family has lived in the same house for 35 years in North Long Beach. Many of his formative years were spent in a private school in Bellflower\u2014but that all changed when he entered the 7th grade, attending the public Hamilton Junior High. <\/p>\n
“It was a culture shock,” Scott claimed, transferring from a predominantly Caucasian school to a predominately African American school. “But you realize where your roots come from. Until then I didn\u2019t have a sense of the African American community as a whole. But in going [to Hamilton] I realized how beautiful we are as a people.” <\/p>\n
Outside of his family, Scott had not experienced his African American roots at the community level. At Hamilton, Scott felt connected to the pulse of his North Long Beach community, his African American roots, and\u2014more importantly\u2014realized life was broader than his just his physical surroundings. This realization became his launching pad for artistic expression.<\/p>\n
At Jordan High School, Scott was introduced to creative writing. In English, Scott recalls a lesson on how to write a stanza of poetry. At the time Scott was in the Jordan High band and was active in sports on campus as well. Like any teen, Scott’s social obligations called and his studies became second fiddle\u2014especially when it came to pep rallies. Rushing, to get out of class, Scott scribbled down a poem\u2014apparently, a great poem\u2014describing his perception of a pearl. <\/p>\n
Before Scott was able to leave class, his teacher caught him at the door and expressed her interest in his piece, asking him to meet her after school to talk about it. Upon meeting his English teacher, she was amazed at how well his poem was written and introduced him to the creative writing teacher Ms. Tolstrip. Two weeks later Scott was in Tolstrip\u2019s creative writing class, among other writers. <\/p>\n
Scott was embraced by Tolstrip as well as the other students in class as a new, rugged, raw writer. <\/p>\n
“It was the first time I heard my name synonymous to writing,” Scott expressed. “I am where I should be.” <\/p>\n
Though he had writing skill, the ability to “paint pictures with words and have people see them vividly,” he did not consider himself a poet quite yet. His second epiphany and confirmation of his artistic purpose in poetry came at freshmen orientation as he entered into Cal State Long Beach. <\/p>\n
During the orientation program a poet performed. As Scott describes it, the young poet’s performance wasn\u2019t like a typical poetry reading he was used to. This poet told a story with passion, with emphasis, with vivacity. <\/p>\n
“‘I can do that but I\u2019m going to do it differently’ I thought,” Scott said when he internalized the performance. <\/p>\n
That night Scott went home a wrote his first performance poem. On campus, Scott saw a flier for an open mic night poetry reading. He knew how it worked, the concept behind it. In his words, “Who hasn\u2019t seen Love Jones<\/em>, right?”<\/p>\n Determined, Scott decided to go and to perform. Looking at the sign-up sheet, he remembered a moment when an old friend told him he sounded like a philosopher, from there on saying, “I\u2019m gonna call you Philosophy.” <\/p>\n The open mic host asked him his name: “And instinctively, I said ‘Philosophy’,” Scott said. <\/p>\n After Scott performed his poem, the audience jumping to their feet, applauding. It was at that moment Scott became Philosophy the poet, stepping into the craft\u2014and also into his purpose. <\/p>\n Since CSULB, accolades followed: He performed three times at the CSULB Black Grad, 2004-2006, scoring the number one love and political poem at the college level. He then went on to perform at NAACP’s National Poetry Month program and create the PSA “Getting Back to Work Long Beach” for Councilmember Steve Neal. <\/p>\n To say the least, the future looks bright for the North Long Beach native. <\/p>\n Currently, Philosophy founded a poetry band\u2014Philosophy and the Scholars\u2014comprised of background singers, a drummer and lead guitarist\/composer Alex Babick. Philosophy is working on a studio album, half with his band and half acapella, in addition to a live album. A documentary was even shot about the formation of his band. To top it all off, when he\u2019s not on set in the film industry working as a craft services specialist with his family’s company CNS Craft Services, he performs regularly all around Southern California, as well as hosting an open mic at Elise\u2019s Tea Room for First Fridays. <\/p>\n “I love to say I am from North Long Beach,” Scott said. “You can go anywhere in the world yet where you\u2019re from is what stays with you. [T]hese experiences [have] created the person I am today. It\u2019s what has spearheaded me forward into my future.” <\/p>\n Philosophy always begins and ends his sets with his moniker: “Philosophy: the unsigned paradigm to poetry” \u2013 a paradigm shift in poetry, truly, and a pathway to a burgeoning career as well. <\/p>\n