Yvonne  Brown
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Today's Feature:  Gene "20Bello" Cobb

4/16/2014

25 Comments

 

National Poetry Month Celebration

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Gene "20Bello" Cobb is the founder of the widely used moniker “DMV” (which describes the DC, MD, VA music movement). He is also the producer of over 13 albums and the director of over 70 music videos.

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Gene "20Bello" Cobb began his poetic musical journey as a teenager. In 1991, a teacher urged him to audition for admittance into Duke Ellington School of the Arts where he was accepted. Though he was multi-talented, 20Bello was a misguided youth without parental support, which led him into many run-ins with the law and ultimately shot by the police and serving time in prison.  

While recovering from gun shot wounds in prison, 20Bello made the decision to leave street life. After being granted an early parole in 1998, he set out to share his life experiences through music, film and poetry

He continues to pursue the arts with every stride as a rapper, poet, director and visual artist.  Currently, he is working on tapping into the generation coming up---providing them with the story of his past to inspire them to lead a positive path.

The Interview

Where do you draw your inspiration from to write poetry?
I draw inspiration from the things I have faced in my life. The good and the bad.

What advice do you have for someone that is threatened by poetry? 

If you are threatened by poetry then you are threatened by life itself. Life is poetry. Everything works in unison and flows like the ink across the paper.

What is an interesting fact about you? 
I can only eat white rice with Ketchup and butter. My grandfather was from the south and cooked rice everyday. I got so tired of it that I experimented with ketchup and butter. It stuck every since.

Where are you from/Where do you live? 

I am from Washington, DC and still reside in Washington, DC.

Who is your favorite poet? 
My favorite poet is David. Psalms is a great book of poetry

Connect: 
www.20bello.com
www.youtube.com/20bello
www.facebook.com/20bello

25 Comments
Nate link
4/15/2014 03:04:42 pm

Hello Yvonne,

Mr. Cobb looks like he creates really good poetry. Although, I've never heard of him but looks to inspire many. Thanks for sharing!

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Marielle Altenor link
4/15/2014 03:10:08 pm

Another great interview!! Where do you meet all these wonderful artists?? you are one lucky lady!

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Emily Rose link
4/15/2014 06:28:04 pm

Sounds like an inspirational guy!! not sure about the rice and ketchup though :)

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Laurel Bill link
4/15/2014 11:12:56 pm

Love his line that "Everything works in unison and flows like the ink across the paper."

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20bello link
4/15/2014 11:17:43 pm

Thank you so much Yvonne for allowing me to showcase what I love and thank you all fir the comments.

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Roz link
4/16/2014 01:08:54 am

I can see why you chose Gene Cobb to interview. He draws from his life's experience and captures emotions we can relate too.

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Gene link
4/16/2014 04:27:50 am

Thank you so much

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kungphoo link
4/16/2014 02:36:28 am

Great interview! Gene Cobb is very inspirational and I love the interesting fact about him! Rice with butter and ketchup is definitely interesting! lol

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Alexandra McAllister link
4/16/2014 03:50:45 am

What an amazing and inspiring interview! One can understand why you selected Gene Cobb. This is the first that I've heard of him. Thanks for sharing.

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Gene link
4/16/2014 04:29:23 am

Thank you all. You have motivated me even more.

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Shari Yantes link
4/16/2014 07:28:59 am

Very inspiring! He sounds like a very talented man! Thanks for sharing!

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Sharon ODay link
4/16/2014 09:14:26 am

Thanks, Yvonne, for broadening our horizons by introducing us to Gene Cobb. What tremendous musicality there is in his poetry!

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Ashley link
4/16/2014 10:02:06 am

Such an amazing story! He is very talented.

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Veronica link
4/16/2014 10:08:01 am

It is great when you can take not just the good, but the bad in your life and make it poetry. Great feature as always

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Gina Binder link
4/16/2014 10:51:13 am

This is beautiful! I love the description of acceptance: embracing the rain - to find the sun and a better tomorrow. Thanks for sharing the wisdom of 20bello.

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Tina link
4/16/2014 11:47:05 am

I agree with him, David was the best poet! And I admire him for her perseverance and tenacity.

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Lucy Lao
4/16/2014 01:33:21 pm

Very inspiring interview, He is so talented.

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Jim Striegel
4/16/2014 02:18:10 pm

This was a great interview. I would enjoy seeing more about him.

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Daniele Holmberg link
4/16/2014 03:25:30 pm

What an awesome story of someone that turned their lives around and was given a second chance. Great interview:)

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Gerald Ferrel link
4/16/2014 09:31:14 pm

I dint know about 20Bello, thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed the interview.

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Norma Doiron @Savvy Biz Solutions link
4/18/2014 06:56:06 am

You certainly lead an interesting life, what great artists and interviews! Love them all...! :)

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Heather Cameron link
4/20/2014 01:34:25 pm

Interesting Interview and poem, thank you for introducing me more poetry.

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Robin
4/21/2014 12:36:18 am

Very inspiring interview, Marueen! Gene "20Bello" Cobb's story is definitely inspirational! Thank you for sharing it!

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katrina link
4/21/2014 01:13:22 am

Thanking for sharing another beautiful person's story. Life is about living and I am loving what "20Bello" wrote.

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20bello link
4/21/2014 09:48:26 am

thank you all so much!

Reply



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