Rare Spotlight: George Yamazawa Jr.

Welcome to the Rare Spotlight, a place to shine light on those rare gems that illuminate the world, unnoticed.  They are poets.  They are artists. They are singers.  They are musicians. They are visionaries molding beauty against the backdrops of their passions.  They are beautiful, and we should pay attention.  Welcome to the Rare Spotlight.


"....and my goal is to really win in my daily life more so than competitions, to really be able to encourage people with my life condition, more so than my poetry."

With this quote, I introduce George Yamazawa Jr., an outrageously talented young poet who already stands on the cusp of greatness, as much through his demeanor as his ability.  Born and raised in Durham, NC, George began to participate in slam poetry, during his freshman year of high school, and has been a force to be reckoned with ever since.  Recently a high school graduate, and currently a college student, George continues to be an example of the positive accomplishments this generation is capable of.  As a member of the Bull City Slam Team (2010 NPS Finalists, 2010 Southern Fried Champions), Sacrificial Poets, as well as a participant in many competitions, workshops, and slams, including Brave New Voices, George continues to motivate and inspire the youth of today with his pen.  His performances spark the heart and mind with poems that range from cultural to conscious to humorous, and he has a stage presence that demands notice.  I remember seeing a video of one of his performances and thinking 'this is the future of poetry'.  It is my pleasure to shine the spotlight on George Yamazawa Jr.

Questions:
1) Name/ Stage Name
George Yamazawa Jr., "G"

2) Current City/Hometown
Bull City born and raised.

3) Right now, you are (literally).....
tired...about to play spades with some poets...Asian...on the computer...

4) When did you fall in love with poetry?
Didn't know it at the time, but when I fell in love with hip hop.

5) Describe yourself in one paragraph
Short, Asian, creative, family oriented, Buddhist, humanistic, peaceful, writer, hip hop head, southern, fresh, self-conscious, nervous, confident, dedicated, random, artistic, indecisive, ready. I live for my life, my loved, and my lost.

6) Five years ago, you were...
getting suspended from school, selling quarterpounds of weed, failing two classes, writing rhymes, and constantly fighting with my parents. Literally.

7) Five years from now, you want to be.....
speaking to people.

8) Your entire day is ruined unless you can.....
chant, pray, and sleep.

9) If you were a color, which would you be, and why? (Lol..I had to throw in one of these type questions)
haha I guess I'd be yellow...

10) One moment in your life, when you were the proudest
Truly cannot narrow that one down. I know it was a moment when my parents were the proudest. Maybe graduation.

11) One moment in your life, which you regret most
the day I called my mom a bitch.

12) Write whatever you feel
Yo I'm G it's short for George lol, I feel like I should say something deep and profound and inspirational but I'm not, so I'll just say that I appreciate this spot light, and big ups to the Sacrificial Poets and Bull City Slam Team!

13) Links/websites/places where the readers can check out your workGeorge Yamazawa Jr (facebook)
georgeyamazawa@gmail.com
http://www.youtube.com/gyamazawa
www.youtube.com/sacrificialpoets
http://www.sacrificialpoets.com/
www.bullcitypoetryslam.com
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/ever-victorious/10970276?showPreview

Thanks again to Mr. Yamazawa for completing this.
Look for him on facebook here:  George Yamazawa Jr.

And I'll leave you all with this performance by an outstanding poet, who I am proud to call one of my favorites.  Enjoy

the Rare Poet