If New Havens hip-hop community has a Renaissance man, it just might be Baub Bidon.

Jim Shelton: New Haven Register

aub (pronounced: Bawb) Bidon is a Poet, Actor, Writer, Playwright. His work chronicles the the inner-city. He writes to tell the stories often marinated from the ghettos, and prisons throughout the United States. His poetry speaks of injustice, poverty, children and women rights. His hope is that his work uplifts and empowers those who are victims of oppression. As in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Baubs work conceptualizes the idea of a better tomorrow, and a brighter day. His message is delivered with a Hip Hop, Jazz, fused with Blues. Ghetto Jazz displays the gun violence and crossfire in urban communities. Baubs poem Beat Box takes you on a contemporary Hip Hop journey... (Baub fuses words and beatbox). His work is inspired by the great late Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets, and James Baldwin. Born and raised in New Haven CT by Haitian parents, the eight of ten children. Growing up in the sometimes rough Fair Haven neighborhood, Baub has managed to overcome peer pressure and bullying both in his community and on school grounds, by utilizing his skills of beat boxing, rap, and the ability to make his colleagues laugh. One late night while walking in downtown New Haven, Baub comes across a comedy club, and to his surprise, he is called on stage for a small set. He latter becomes a regular host, and performer at the Jokers Wild Comedy Club in New Haven. He opened up for some of the greatest headliners. Such as Angel Salazar of the film Scarface, Robert Stapleton, Talent, Flex of Def Comedy Jam, Tracy Morgan of Saturday Night Live, and the Cast of Up Town Comedy Club. After gaining success as a stand-up comedian, and wanting to polish his work on stage, Baub took a break from comedy to explore Film and Theater. He managed a spot on the set of Sex and The City. He then went on to work with some of todays greatest artist; his resume includes: Mary J. Blidge, Missy Misdemeanor Elliot, Nas, Eve, Pharoh Monch. His theater credits include: Jesus Hopped the A Train, Family Affair, with Bregamos Theater, and King Lear at the Yale Repertory Theater; staring Avery Brooks. Film: Men In Black II, Home Coming, Another Earth, Sex and the City. Inspired by the works of the multi-talented musician and performance poet Ngoma, Baub decided to delve into the world of poetry. As a Spokenword Artist, Baub has traveled throughout the United States performing and featuring at various venues, and universities; Black on Black Rhymes at The Cotton Club (Tampa FL), Organix Soul (Springfield Mass), Hot Chocolate Soul (Hartford CT), Decibel Live (Philadelphia PA), Verse 4 Verse (Newark NJ), The Nuyorican Poets Caf, The Bowery Poetry Club (New York NY), Lizards Lounge, Piano Factory (Boston Mass), Yale University and Harvard University.

Baubs worked has appeared in the anthologies Echos from Elm Street/Spokenword on an empty canvas, and Poets On the Road to Peace (YalePeabody Press). He has authored Aglimpse/Spokenword in back pockets (collected Poems), and Aglimpse (CD). As a member of the Blackout Arts Collective, Baub Bidon adds playwright to his repertoire for the production of What it iz/The Spokenwordical; a Hip Hop, Spokenword adaptation of the 1979s musical, and filmThe Wiz. If New Havens hip-hop community has a Renaissance man, it just might be Baub Bidon; says Jim Shelton of the New Haven Register. Baub has conducted poetry workshops in his community, organization facilities, and schools. Baub is the founder of ALP (Ahmapoet Literacy Project); A program that utilizes Spokenword/ Poetry and Hip-Hop as a tool to promote Literacy. He has also founded and hosted several venues of which includes; Rip Yo Lip, Grab The Mic, Bru open Mic Nights, and his current; Free 2 Spit, an open mic poetry venue in New Haven, CT every first Friday of the month (since 2004). Baub is a member of the National Association for Campus Activities ( NACA). He is also a member of the 2012 Connecticut Slam Team Verbal Slap, and has competed in the Nationals, where his team has made second place in their first bout. He has a current Spokenword CD - One God/the Premix (a sampled work in progress with bonus tracks). Baubs goal is to continue to uplift, educate, and inspire people from all walks of life through his work. In Baubs words; Eyeve done seen the mountain top, but there are still plenty of cliffs to be conquered.
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For more information: www.baubbidon.com www.facebook.com/likebaub www.myspace.com/baub.bidon (audio)

ref: New Haven Independent; by Thomas MacMillan http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/04/baub_spits_at_b.php New Haven Register; by Jim Shelton (request original article from new haven register; 203.789.5664)

Meet Baub Bidon; City poet, comic, actor, and a man who speaks out against social injustice