Quote by Abiodun Oyewole: “A poem should hit you like a jab, then make you think.”

Abiodun describes powerful poetry as having an immediate, striking effect, like a punch, that grabs your attention. After that initial impact, it should then make you ponder and deeply consider its meaning.

Originating from the revolutionary fervor of the Black Arts Movement, The Last Poets pioneered a direct, confrontational style of poetry. Oyewole's description emphasizes the immediate, visceral impact of their words, intended to shock audiences into both emotional response and intellectual reflection.

American poet and founding member of The Last Poets, the spoken-word group widely considered a predecessor of hip-hop. Formed in New York in 1968, The Last Poets combined African drumming and political verse to become the voice of Black radical consciousness in the late 1960s.