Adrian Matejka’s book Mixology is full of poems that, through the typically short lines, word choice, and constant references and allusions to musical artists in varying genres, create a unique, definitely purposeful, rhythm. Reading through the poems, even when just in my own head, I read with a consistent beat much like the beat in most hip hop songs. The content of the book is based off of Matejka’s experiences as a mixed race child, teenager and adult having to deal with issues of race and not quite fitting in with either race. Matejka’s poems are also heavily about rap, hip hop, blues and jazz music and the artists that performed those genres, such as Flava Flav and Bob Kaufman.
Adrian Matejka’s poetry mixes urban culture, hip hop, blues, and his own life experiences, with highbrow traditional poetry. He does this by using poetry, an old art form that has come a long way and changed exponentially especially in the last century, to relate his struggles with race and where he lived and the culture that he grew up in, I believe during the 1990s. He uses the form of poetry and the feel of hip hop to produce a new rhythmic, urban literary masterpiece.
I believe Adrian Matejka’s work is successful because it caused me to begin to understand and learn about a culture that I wasn’t familiar with. It also works because while reading the poetry I instantly read with a definite rhythm as if I were reading to a beat. The meld of urban and mixed race culture with literary poetry is perfectly balanced to create something new and unique.
I completely agree with your reasoning for Matejka being successful in this book of poetry. I had no idea what to expect when we started reading his work, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really learned from him. And I think the best part was that I was learning something that felt a bit more relevant than the material found in, say, Levis' poems. Both were fascinating, smart reads that made me have to really stop and think, make connections, and beyond the basic level of reading. However, with Matejka, I felt like I was, as you say, learning something about another culture with which I was completely unfamiliar.
ReplyDeleteI think you do a really nice job of pointing out how he mixes the old with the new, tradition with creation. I feel like especially after going to the reading, I really understand how he makes his mixology work for him. It really came to light for me and I completely respect what he has done, more than I ever would have if I hadn't had the chance to experience him in person. I think you're right to say that his poetry is "perfectly balanced" and I felt the same way about his performance at the reading.