Acclaimed Jamaican spoken word artist Richie Innocent is gearing up to launch the third installment of his beloved Poetry Echoes of Expression event, set to take place September 26 at VP Records’ New York headquarters in Queens. Building on the momentum of two prior successful gatherings, the event centers on a core mission that has guided the series from its start: elevating underrepresented spoken word creators and giving them a vital platform to share their work with new audiences.
In an interview with Observer Online, Innocent emphasized the transformative power of poetic and narrative art to lift up communities. “Recognizing that people need to be lifted up through poetry, stories, songs, books and plays is absolutely essential,” he explained. The iconic space hosted by VP Records, he noted, provides the ideal foundation to build that impact, creating a ripple effect that supports personal growth and development for every attendee who engages with the work.
Innocent will headline the upcoming show, and he will be joined by a curated lineup of fellow artists that includes Marcia Jackson, a returning performer who appeared in the first two iterations of the series, alongside emerging and established voices Blaq Ice, Yabez, Ras Igus, Killa Boo and Burnett Coburn. Attendees can expect a dynamic, accessible program that blends playful comedic bits with family-friendly musical selections, designed to deliver wholesome entertainment, foster connection, and bring community members together around a shared love of the spoken word.
The Poetry Echoes of Expression series holds personal milestone meaning for Innocent: it was at the very first event, held earlier this year in 2024, that he launched *Perseverance*, his debut collection of poetry. For the artist, the event is an extension of the creative journey that began decades ago, shaped by his Jamaican roots. Though born in Kingston and raised partially in the Kingston neighborhood of Jones Town, Innocent spent most of his childhood in St. Elizabeth, the rural Jamaican parish he credits with nurturing his lifelong passion for conscious, message-driven music. His professional career as a performer spans an impressive 30 years, during which he has built a reputation for thoughtful, impactful work.
That work earned major industry recognition just months ago: on May 21, Innocent took home the Mutabaruka Award for Best Poet/Spoken Word Entertainer at the 2024 International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA), held in Lauderhill, South Florida. The accolade comes on the heels of another upcoming release for the artist: the official music video for his single *The Passover* is set to premiere this Sunday. Innocent co-produced the track with director Marlon Wright, who also helmed the new video.