Young Chicago Authors Reveal Louder Than A Bomb 2016 Schedule and Programming

LTAB 2015 Team Finals winners: KUUMBA LYNX (Courtesy LTAB)

Young Chicago Authors have announced the schedule, venues, guest appearances for the 16th annual Louder Than A Bomb poetry slam. LTAB is the world's largest youth poetry slam featuring over 1,000+ poets. The entire slam contains over 90 events, with Preliminary Bouts being held in February, Semi-Finals at The Metro on March 15th and the Indy Finals at the DuSable Museum of African American History on March 17th. There will be a Sweet 16 Benefit Party (plus 'Hip Hop History Lesson' on-stage interview) also held at The Metro on March 18th featuring legendary Public Enemy MC Chuck D and DJ Lord. The final four teams will compete at the Auditorium Theater on Saturday, March 19th. Last years winners were KUUMBA LYNX.

Chuck D alongside LTAB festival founder Kevin Coval will present a special award to the participant who has made the biggest impact throughout the program titled "LTAB Chuck D Lyrical Terrorist Award." Poems that best focus on social activism will be up for award consideration. The festival's name is a clear nod to Public Enemy's track "Louder Than A Bomb" off their album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.

Chuck D is not the only big name in hip-hop expected to make an appearance at the festival. Local music hero Vic Mensa is expected to perform during the "half-time" show of the March 19th finals. It's expected that frequent supporter Chance the Rapper and recent Closed Sessions signee Jamila Woods will also be present at the festival. Notably in 2015, Chance on social media alongside actor Alec Baldwin posted photos and videos in an effort to help raise money for Young Chicago Authors and Louder Than A Bomb, resulting in widespread viral press coverage. In the Instagram video, Baldwin excerpted from Carl Sandburg's poem "Chicago."

More festival details, including ticket information can be found at YoungChicagoAuthors.org.

On Saturday, January 23rd 2016, Young Chicago Authors and Chicago Public Media will be hosting a Winter Block Party at the Metro. The event will include b-boy/b-girl dance battles and a spoken-word open mike. The event is followed by a release party for Louder Than a Bomb's 2016 mixtape featuring Closed Sessions labelmates Jamila Woods and Kweku Collins. More information can be found at TheseDays.News/Events.