May 26, 2009
Cadence Weapon Named Edmonton’s Poet Laureate
- by 319
Edmonton Journal: “A rising local rap star named Cadence Weapon, whose song lyrics reference intoxicated nights at the Funky Pickle and bumming pitchers of beer at “The Strat,” is Edmonton’s new poet laureate.
Roland Pemberton, considered one of the hot young turks of Canada’s hip-hop scene, is a grandson of former Edmonton Eskimo great Rollie Miles.
He is scheduled to be sworn in today at City Hall as the successor to E.D. (Ted) Blodgett, whose two-year term as laureate expires at the end of June.
The novelty of the appointment is not lost on Pemberton, 23.
Blodgett, 74, is a professor emeritus of comparative literature at the University of Alberta and has published 29 books, including 17 collections of poetry, two of which won a Governor General’s Award.”
Read the full story from the Edmonton Journal.
14 Responses
I think this is pretty cool. However, I also think that it might be a bit inappropriate, but I’ll really wait and see what Rollie does with this opportunity before I cast any judgments. Truth is I’d probably enjoy his poetry a lot more than his music, but I’m not much into poetry.
I say Huge Congrats!
Word up Cadence
thats a sick honor
I am thrilled for Rollie – I was listening to The Current on CBC this morning and was very excited to learn about this. I am not a huge fan of poetry; however I am a huge fan of rap and hip hop – “most” lyrics fascinate me – and I do believe it is a form of poetry – for those of you who still don’t buy it – I suggest that you take the time and actually listen to the lyrics – you may change your minds.
Have you accepted the lord Jesus Christ into your life?
Congratulations to Edmonton pulling its head out of its conservative ass. This is real change. Whether you like Cadence or not, I think it’s good for the image of the city. And really good for the young “urban” artists yet to make noise.
jesus has risen
and he is now the poem lawyer.
He has risen indeed
if ira and heywood are tryin to take a shot that’s weak. if not, sorry. i would just not expect to see either of you posting unless it was negative. just come out of the closet if you wanna be true.
i’m so proud of rollie and edmonton, this news makes me very happy.
everbody love everybody
amen
Fuck Edmonton. And Jesus. Congrats Touch..er, Rollie.
Nothing against Rollie – I just think it cheapens the title a bit. Though most poets suck compared to rappers so in that sense it works, I dunno just seems like they did it to be different; didn’t the person before have a shit ton of degrees and actual academic accomplishments?
At least they didn’t award it to some country singer.
Nothing against Rollie – I just think it cheapens the title a bit. Though most poets suck compared to rappers so in that sense it works, I dunno just seems like they did it to be different; didn’t the person before have a shit ton of degrees and actual academic accomplishments?
At least they didn’t award it to some country singer.
E. D. (Ted) Blodgett, FRSC, is University Professor Emeritus of Comparative Literature at the University of Alberta. He is currently teaching at MacEwan College and the Campus Saint-Jean where he is professeur auxiliaire in Études canadiennes. His research has varied from mediaeval European romance to Canadian Comparative Literature. His publications include Five-Part Invention: A History of Literary History in Canada (Toronto University Press, 2003) and Elegy (University of Alberta Press, 2005). He has published 17 books of poetry, of which 2 were awarded the Governor General’s Award. He is preparing two others. A bilingual edition of his French poems, Le poème invisible, will be published in 2008.