Abiodun Oyewole is a poet, teacher, and founding member of the music and spoken-word group The Last Poets, which developed into one of the first hip hop groups and sought to be a poetic voice for Malcolm X’s call for self-determination and Black Nationalism. Their style of poetry reflected the radicalism of the day, as Oyewole explains, “With the Poets, we were angry and we had something to say. We addressed the language. We just put it right in front of your face.” The Last Poets took part in Lollapalooza in 1994 and released a new album entitled Holy Terror in 1995 and the book, On a Mission: Selected Poetry and a History of the Last Poets, in 1996. Oyewole continues to tour various venues around the world giving lectures on poetry and politics. He holds a doctorate from Columbia University, where he has also served as a faculty member.