The Welfare Poets

The Welfare Poets interpret indigenous forms of poetry and music, including Hip Hop, Bomba, Plena, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Funk, and Blues. Using the power of arts and culture, the Welfare Poets bring together people to realize the collective potential, and ultimately address social, political and economic issues critical to the survival of all communities. In addition to facilitating literacy workshops for students, parents and teachers, the Welfare Poets have joined and led campaigns for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, for the establishment of Cop Watch, Environmental Justice in NYC, Vieques, and fighting for human rights worldwide. They are also releasing an independent documentary about the death penalty due out the summer of 2005 called “Cruel and Unusual Punishment.” The Welfare Poets are: Ray Ramirez (Rayzer Sharp – vocals, coro), Hector Rivera (HecOne - vocals, coro), Djibril Toure (bass, vocals), Jamaki Knight (drums, vocals), Emi (keyboards, trumpet, vocals, coro), Angel Rodriguez (congas, vocals, cuás, chékere), Jorge Vázquez (barriles, cuás, maracas, panderetas, güiro, congas, bongó, drums, coro), Fidel Paulino (guitars, coro), Kwami Coleman (keyboards, coro), Camilo Molina (barriles, panderetas, trumpet, drums), Elliot Cabrera (sax, coro) and Dahu Ala (trumpet, vocals).