Poet

When Johny Lashley, Bade Francis, Brian Polite and Aisha Bell. step on a stage a natural revolution occurs. Fusing blues, soul, reggae and hip-hop, Second2Last mixes poetry and rhythm for an unmistakable sound that is anything but obscure. This musical quad tackles complex social issues and delivers soul with strong conviction, providing an unexpected blend of conscious-raising words and beats.

Second2Last’s hard work led to feature performances with Ruby Dee (actress/activist), Louis Reyes Rivera (historian/poet), Jessica Care Moore (poet/publisher), Danny Glover (actor/activist), Sonia Sanchez (poet/professor/activist), Yusef Komunyakaa (1994 Pulitzer prize winner), The Pharcyde and Mos Def (hip-hop trendsetters). In addition, Second2Last has performed at innumerable venues including: MSNBC’s Here Arts Center, Nuyorican Poet’s Café, The Bowery Poetry Club, CBGB Gallery, Rush Philanthropic Gallery, The Skylight Gallery, SOB's, The Knitting Factory, BAM Café, Joe’s Pub, Irving Plaza, Shine Night Club, Tishman Auditorium and Aaron Davis Hall among others.

Second2Last first debut their flawless execution of vocal percussion and live musicianship with the 1999 release, Say Word. Say Word received critical acclaim in the fall 1999 Independent Artist Report on MTV.com, the June 2000 issue of Stress Magazine, the summer 2000 issue of Inner City Magazine and the spring 2001 issue of Blu Magazine. Second2Last’s musical endeavors have taken on an international leg by the recent inclusion on Japanese producer, Kaoru Inoue’s aka Chari Chari, sophomore album In Time.

Not only are the members of Second2Last performers but they have also presented visual art galleries, (domestic and abroad), moderated creative arts/entertainment panels, and instructed poetry/performance workshops. During the summer of 2004 Second2Last will release their second album entitled, Babble On (pronounced Babylon) and are currently producing independent documentary and video projects. Second2Last continues to be entrepreneurial in their efforts and created say word recordings/ Second2Last Inc., which currently provides t-shirts, music and other merchandise.

When asked what Second2Last's motivation was to continue to write and create, group member, Johny Lashley offered the words of one of their many admirers as the reason for their driving ambition, “Thank you...For poetry that challenges the injustices of existing worlds and creates space and possibilities for more just futures.”

Second2Last has a long line of influences, but one prominent quote by Franz Fanon drives their philosophy. With such powerful words as their mantra it is now safe to say that when asked “what does this generation have to say for them selves”?, we can now offer the unified voices of Second2Last.