DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️ Announces Poetry Contest
Winners Will Perform With The Last Poets In Albuquerque, New Mexico
PERFORM YOUR POETRY IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE
DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️ is thrilled to announce a spoken word poetry contest for poets throughout the nation, offering poets a chance of a lifetime: to perform on the same stage as the legendary hip-hop pioneers, THE LAST POETS.
How to Enter:
When: March 10, 2026
Where: The Kimo Theater; 423 Central Ave. NW.; Albuquerque, NM. 87102
Deadline to Enter: September 10, 2026
Who Can Enter: Poets in the USA. Those under 21 must have written parental or guardian permission
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE SPOKEN WORD POETRY CONTEST, COMPLETE THE FORM, SEND US A MESSAGE, AND WE WILL RESPOND TO YOUR INQUIRY.
This isn’t just a contest; it’s a career opportunity. Selected poets will receive a prize package that includes paid air and ground transportation to Albuquerque, hotel accommodations, and a paid performance fee. The winning poets will showcase their original work as the opening act at a major spoken word event headlined by The Last Poets, scheduled to take place on October 10, 2026, at the historic Kimo Theatre in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
We are looking for the raw, powerful, and authentic voices that represent the heart of the nation. This is a unique chance for poets to showcase their talent and share the stage with icons of the genre but to be treated as professionals with travel, lodging, and compensation provided.
ABOUT THE LEGENDARY LAST POETS
Who They Are
The Last Poets are called the godfathers of hip-hop. They started on May 19, 1968, in a park in Harlem, New York. This was the birthday of Malcolm X. The group came together after the killings of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They used poetry with drums to speak out about what was happening in America.
First Album
Their first album came out in 1970. It sold over 300,000 copies even though radio stations did not play it much. Songs like “Niggers Are Scared of Revolution” spoke the truth about hard times. The way they rhymed over beats became what we now call rap music. One music writer said The Last Poets “almost single-handedly laid the groundwork for the emergence of hip-hop.”
Why They Matter
Their second album came out in 1971. It spoke so much truth that the FBI watched them closely during President Nixon’s time in office. Many famous artists look up to them, including Nas, Common, Erykah Badu, and Public Enemy. They were in the movie Poetic Justice with Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. They also performed on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam.
Where They Are Now
Today, Abiodun Oyewole, Umar bin Hassan, and Baba Don Babatunde still travel the world performing. They use their words to help people feel strong and stand tall.
HOW TO ENTER THE CONTEST
- Record Your Performance – Film a video of yourself performing an original spoken word piece. The video must not exceed five (5) minutes in length.
- Upload to Facebook – Upload your video directly to the DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️ official Facebook business page.
- Follow & Subscribe – Complete your entry by following DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️ across all official social media platforms:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/DSHINCfbp
X (Twitter): http://bit.ly/DSHINCx
YouTube: http://bit.ly/DSHINCytp
Instagram: http://bit.ly/DSHINCi
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/DSHINCp - Complete the Form – Fill out the official contest form or send a direct message through any social media platform to confirm your intent to participate.
CONTEST RULES & DETAILS
Eligibility: Open to all poets
Age Requirement: Participants must be 21 years or older. Those under 21 must have written parental or guardian permission
Submission Deadline: September 10, 2026 – early submission strongly encouraged
Video Usage: By uploading, entrants grant DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️ permission to use the content for future promotional activities on their social media platforms
Event Date: The Spoken Word Poetry Show Featuring The Last Poets Hosted by Hakim Bellamy on Oct. 10, 2026
Venue: Historic Kimo Theatre, 423 Central Ave. NW., Albuquerque, NM 87102
PRIZE PACKAGE FOR SELECTED WINNERS
Paid air transportation
Paid ground transportation
Hotel accommodations
Paid performance fee
Selected finalists will be required to sign a release form granting DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.® permission to record the event for future promotional use.
ABOUT DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️
DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️ is proudly part of The A.D.H. Foundation, Inc. – an organization dedicated to delivering world-class entertainment while giving back to the communities it serves. We bring iconic soul music legends to the stage, including The O’Jays, The Spinners, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson.
Beyond entertainment, we are committed to empowering the next generation – funding students to attend Space Camp and Aviation Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, supporting Little League baseball teams, and providing scholarships through the Men of Color Initiative at the University of New Mexico.
HOW TO APPLY
Visit the DSH ENTERTAINMENT, INC.®️ Facebook Business Page to upload your video.
For more information, complete the inquiry form or send a direct message through any of our social media platforms.