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The Last Poets

The Last Poets were a collective of African American and Hispanic poets and percussionists that formed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park) in Harlem, New York, in 1968. In casual get-togethers, group members would recite their poetry, sometimes improvised and often political in nature, while the percussionists played African-based rhythms. The results have often been cited as a precursor to Rap music. Their 1970 self-titled debut album featured politically charged songs like "When the Revolution Comes" and "Wake Up, Niggers" — messages of self-empowerment that sought to inspire and educate, and that put the group at the forefront of the Black...