Long Beach native and “unsigned paradigm to poetry” Charlie Scott III, better known in the city’s small-town spoken word scene as Philosophy, will guest star alongside Rayzak Hassan at The Federal Underground as part of Saul Williams’ MartyrLoserKing world tour stop.

Philosophy, who opens and closes each of his performances with the moniker “Philosophy: the unsigned paradigm to poetry,” has performed at The Fly Poets Show Case and for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), was featured on the Season 4 finale of TV One’s Verses and Flow and at the Hollywood Improv with his band Philosophy and Scholars, according to the release.

In addition to performing spoken word, Philosophy also has a passion for producing, and oversaw the production of two recurring shows: Vernacular Vanguard and Poetry in the Parlour at The Exhibition Room and The Federal Bar in Long Beach. The artist proudly hails from North Long Beach.

“It began for me as a beatboxer in a rap crew,” said Philosophy in a statement. “I was very efficient but never used written lyrics as a form of expression. It wasn’t until a friend provided me with a lyrical challenge: go home, write and memorize a rap for the next day’s cipher. That evening was the birth of my first poem, and the word has been embedded on my soul ever since.”

Philosophy released his first book in 2001, The 7th Seal: A Bio Degraded and is working on another, according to the release. Philosophy has two albums due for release next spring: Heavy is the Crown, a solo project and Moments of Butterscotch with his band Philosophy and the Scholars.

Support your local artist and click here to purchase tickets. For more information about Philosophy, visit his Facebook page, here.  

The Federal Bar is located at 102 Pine Avenue.

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