"Origin Points" (Sunni Patterson)

Drawl | Southern Spoken Word Poetry

More than a poet, more than a singer, more than an emcee--it's not just what she says, it's how she says it. Emerging from the musical womb that is New Orleans, artist and visionary Sunni Patterson combines the heritage and tradition of her Native town with an enlightened modern world view to create music and poetry that is timeless in its groove.

Sunni Patterson has established herself has an internationally known artist and activist, using her gift to reach, teach and learn, and heal all who have the opportunity to be in her presence. She has been a featured performer at many of Nation's premier spoken word venues, and has had the privilege of speaking at the Panafest in Ghana, West Africa. She has worked with several well known artists and performers including Hannibal Lokumbe- singing lead vocals for his score, "King and the Crescent City Moon, " Kalamu Ya Salaam, Sonia Sanchez, HBO Def Poet Amir Sulaiman, Wanda Coleman, Amiri Baraka, Laini Kuumba Afrikan Dance Company, dead prez, Cee-Lo of the famed group Gnarls Barkley, and many more.

Sunni has performed her art for a plethora of organizations such as the Children's Defense Fund, Southern Rural Black Women Initiative for Economics and Social Justice, Essence Music Festival, The National Black United Front (NBUF)—Houston Chapter, and New Orleans Women's Artist Collective (NOWAC). She has been recognized by Cornell University, Western Carolina University, Dillard University, Xavier University and Southern University at New Orleans to perform and facilitate workshops.

Sunni has been featured on numerous radio and TV spots both locally and nationwide. She will be featured on Sundance film, and BET's Lyric Café, and has been a guest spoken word artist on HBO's Def Poetry. There is so much more to say about her, but words just cannot describe her way, her Spirit, her grace, or gift of healing. In every word/sound she utters, you hear the grit and grime, hope and love, problem and solution, optimism and faith.

You can find more of Sunni's work on Facebook and Instagram.