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1998. From it’s humble roots in the heart of the Southside of Tallahassee Florida, in the apartment of Keith “Keboi”Rodgers the original concept of the "poetry troupe", then known as Poetic Drive-Bys, was birthed. This name was to be given affectionately by their faithful audience and meant to signify how on every Thursday night, poets from all given walks of life would stop by this dim, cozy apartment to share their poetic emotions and aspirations. Above the apartment’s kitchen (the stage), with its picture-esque view and bar-stool dining area, there beamed a soft red lightbulb as the spotlight.

Candles lit the rest of the living room which, with the therapeutic aroma of sandalwood and jasmine incense, surrounded the listeners sitting comfortably on soft pillows, blankets and throw rugs; or stretched across a multi-sectional couch, or lined up the stairs leading to the loft, would serve as the audience seating area. After each set of poets performed, some of the poets would leave in order to make room for the next set of poets or more listeners. This performance style of poetry became such a “hit-and-run”event that the name Poetic Drive-Bys was coined. The revolving door lasted through the wee hours of the morning, and the loyalty of the audience combined with the each poet's empassioned reading, formed a level of community intimacy that bonded complete strangers together and kept the apartment at "standing-room-only" capacity every Thursday night for almost an entire year...

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The Seed
As the audience at Rodgers' apartment grew larger, membership in Poetic Drive-Bys grew stronger and it became necessary to relocate in order to accommodate such talent and growth. In search of a new home, Rodgers found the Mt. Zion's Calypso Café. Home to a Caribbean Restaurant by day, and hot Reggae cultural club by Night, owner Nigel Seraneau and his mother gladly opened their arms to be Poetic Drive-Bys' new home, thus bringing to life the vision of Rodgers, which was simply to create a consistent cultural atmosphere which would encourage the local communities in and around the Tallahassee area to come and discover, hone and gain support for their many talents. He named this brainchild Black on Black Rhyme. The venue would go on to serve as the legacy that would bring the community together on one accord and also give minority and African-American poets and performers especially, a venue to express their innermost emotions in an environment where they feel accepted and appreciated.

The name Black on Black Rhyme is a play on the words taken from a cliché coined by the media. The term Black on Black Crime has long been used to negatively describe the statistical and stereotypical occurrences of violence and racial division perpetrated in minority, and particularly, African-American communities. When applied, media outlets do not ordinarily take the necessary steps to expose the causes or influences that instigate such discord in the affected communities.

So, frustrated, Rodgers decided to "flip" and reverse what was meant to be malicious stigmatism, into positive influence and affluence. By using the Art of Spoken Word to highlight the many contributions that African-Americans have made to our society, Rodgers opened the avenue for universal communication through the creative use of words, imagery, dialogue, poetry, music, dance and fine art. As a result, Black on Black Rhyme is now guided by several alumni members of Poetic Drive-Bys, many of whom have since joined forces with other poets that have also adopted the mission and vision of it’s Founder and CEO.
These poets now make up the infamous BackTalk! Poetry Troupe and Tampa Florida's finest, The Conscious Party.

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The Fruit
For the last six years, Talking Back is what this organization has dedicated itself to doing. Working in great commitment and dedication to the vision and mission of Black on Black Rhyme and living out loud the words of the great poet Bob Dylan, “We will not go quietly into that dark good night”. And in the same ancestral spirit of revolution, these poet artists continuously voice their views and opinions on socio-political issues in a sometimes solemn, sometimes satirical word play. Yet, even more important to the mission is the necessity for all media outlets and those who are influenced by their perceptions to change the way they portray, think, react and behave toward the people of our communities. Also seeking to promote respect for and the preservation of, the African-American history, Black On Black Rhyme is equally dedicated to the continued cultivation of the art form of creative writing, spoken word and the commercialization of performance poetry as a means of education and entertainment.

Over time, Black On Black Rhyme has played a supportive role within the community with poet artists who belong to, or are well connected with, other community organizations that promote welfare, education, physical health and mental wellness. This allows us to be instrumental in revolutionizing the concept of The Community as a whole. Black On Black Rhyme consists of over 35 dynamic poets, lyricists, songwriters, DJs and artists. Much like a large family, members maintain an ever open line of communication with one another which is essential to the maintenance of their creative essence and constant exchange of energies. Being in a room full of these poet artists has been described as "electric", as each one is as diverse as the many origins they hail from. From as far away as Nigeria, West Africa, to exotic Trinidad on the Caribbean Islands, to the busy streets of Washinton DC, New York City, Minneapolis, Minnesota and of course, “the Dirty South”, Florida. Each and every one of these poet artists bring their own unique style and flavor, and while some members hold down Federal Government positions, others are full-time college students, one is even a college professor, but all are Family.

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The Juice

Black On Black Rhyme...
Has made several television appearances including the world renowned "Showtime at The Apollo", HBO Def Poetry and local cable news network programs such as Florida A&M University's "Your Voice".

Black On Black Rhyme...
Has been featured in local and community publications such as Tallahassee’s Break Magazine, SpokenVizions Poetry Magazine, The Tallahassee Democrat, The FAMUAN College News, Choices Magazine, The Tampa Tribune, Florida Sentinel, and Poetic Magic to name a few.

Black On Black Rhyme...
Has featured poets at various venues all across the nation including the infamous House of Blues in New Orleans LA, the Funk Jazz Lounge in Miami, FL, Lotus Lounge and the Calabash in South Florida. Nokturnal Escape in Jacksonville FL, Jimmy's Uptown Cafe in NYC as well as The Annual Spoken Word Expo St. Louis MO, and the Cotton Club featuring the Phat Cat Players at the Moon in Tallahassee FL.

Black On Black Rhyme...
Plans, organizes and hosts its very own annual Founder's Day celebration (also known as 'Black On Black Rhyme Week') in both Tampa and Tallahassee, Florida

Has hosted or served as panelists or judges at several benefit events in conjunction with local agencies including the FSU Cultural Carnival 2003 featuring Rah Digga in Tallahassee FL. Polk County Community College; Winter Haven FL, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Week Gainesville FL. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Week, UCF, Orlando FL; First Annual Neo Soul Festival Tallahassee FL. FSU First Annual Listen Up Celebrity Poetry Slam Tallahassee FL.

Hosted the First Annual Leon County Leroy Collins Public Library Teen Poetry Slam 2003 in Tallahassee FL,

Served as panel discussion mediators, for "Teenagers and Relationships" - FAMU High

Hosts the annual BackTalk! presents, "Infected by Poetry: The Series" - with free AIDS/HIV testing, information regarding the epidemic and protection packages, voters registration. sponsored in part by the S.H.I.S.A. organization.

Florida A&M University's Summer Youth Theatre Camp

Black On Black Rhyme artists...
...are members of the Tampa Slam Team that took 1st place in the 2003 Hot Air Poetry Slam in Delray Beach, FL

...are the individual 1st(Lizz) and 3rd(Ali) place winners in the 11th Annual Southern Fried Slam in New Orleans, LA (2003)

...are members of the Pensacola Slam Team that ranked 11th out of 83 teams from the U.S. & Canada in the National Poetry Slam (2003)

...is the Black Heritage Festival Poetry Slam Champion in Tampa, FL (2004) - L.I.F.E.

...will represent the Pensacola/North Florida slam team in the NPS Individual National Poetry Slam Championship (2004) - Ali

...will be featured at a Poetry Slam Workshop & Performance at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, FL (2004)