Bluz Takes Passion to a New Level
By Kadesha Maddox (@_Dede_Monae)
Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks. –Plutarch, Greek historian, biographer and essayist.
Those words could not be more true when it comes to spoken word poet Bluz, born Boris Rogers, who has a way of painting vivid pictures in the minds of his listeners through his eloquent use of words.
Bluz began to write poetry in college as a way to direct his emotions positively. Since then he has accumulated a host of significant accomplishments and accolades through the years, having won three regional Emmy® awards, winning the 2010 Southern Fried Poetry Slam, and becoming the Slam Master and Coach of Charlotte’s 2007 and 2008 award-winning competitive slam teams—but it doesn’t stop there. Bluz recently received news of yet another Emmy® nomination for his work on the 2015 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament promotion. In the now Emmy® nominated Inside ACC Basketball – Bring Your A Game. Bluz used his words to tell the story of what’s been called, “one of the most exciting (ACC) basketball seasons ever.”
“[I’m] feeling really good,” said Bluz. “It’s cool to be nominated; it’s cool to see your name up there with the Emmy® logo. To be nominated is cool it says as a writer what you’ve done has been acknowledged. I hope we win.”
Bluz, who is relentless on his quest to take poetry to new places, has continued to make a splash in the sports sector. He was recently asked to work on the Charlotte Hornets’ official Buzz City video.
“I’d worked with the Bobcats before, but when they became the Hornets they had a big draft party, and I wrote something in terms of the draft and what the organization was about,” Bluz explained. “It was fun, but it was a bit challenging. I received very little reaction. I think that was due to the space. People were there for basketball. [But] it was cool and more of a networking situation.”
Ultimately, the video opportunity came from a relationship he formed with the organization and in his own words was “stoked and geeked” about. He was given a few talking points but it was completely up to Bluz on how it was going to be presented and how he was going to bring the story to life.
Bluz says that he’s grateful to have had the opportunity to work on projects with both the Hornets and the Panthers, two completely different worlds that still happen to complement each other.
Bluz’ corporate voiceover and writing work has helped him fine tune his own creative process in the studio. It’s given him the opportunity to learn more about himself and his style (as well as his ability to flip and stitch up words to adapt to situations when the need arises). Learning the ins and outs of television and video production has provided Bluz with invaluable knowledge. It’s even helped him brand his name more, which will aid in the promotion of his new music projects that are on the way early 2016.
As for now, be sure to check out his videos, Inside ACC Basketball – Bring Your A Game, and Buzz City.
Follow Bluz on Twitter @MrBluz and on Instagram @BluzBluzBluz. Bluz is available for appearances, hosting assignments and media interviews. For all press-related and booking inquiries, please contact Jameka Whitten at Jameka@jswmediagroup.com.
