Marc Pinate, lead poet of the spoken-word group Grito Serpentino, said he wants to change society with his art.
His California-based group is a NeoChicano, hip-hop flavored ensemble. The group combines hard-lined, spoken-word verse with musical tones, from blues to ska to old school.
Through his words, Pinate said he's able to speak out against abuse, exploitation, marginalization and oppression.
"The material applies to the Chicano community and any race that is in that struggle of figuring out life," Pinate said. "I write about trying to find that inner peace with your soul."
The group spent a few days at MSU, teaching students how to put their poetry to music. On Saturday, more than 150 people arrived at the Union to dance as the band performed.
Pinate said he enjoys performing for college crowds.
"Students of color are just getting into their political awareness and identity," Pinate said.
Their visit was one of a series of events sponsored by Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlan (MEXA) and ASMSU to honor Chicano History Month, which is celebrated in February.
MEXA member Yoel Joa recited two poems before the band took the stage. He said he likes the group's message.
"They're about Chicano power (and) unity," the kinesiology junior said. "We want to promote equal rights for ourselves and our community."
MEXA member Todd Mireles said the band represents an evolutionary leap in musical development, and the performance was a good representation of what Chicano History Month is about.
"They're powerful," Mireles said. "What they're doing captures what's happening to the Chicano people today."
The sharing of poetry is a way to break down the barriers of differences, Pinate said.
"When you get to hear poetry, you get to see inside people," he said. "You realize that that person is just like me, so when you bring people from the audience, it reaffirms the unity within all of us, regardless of race and background."
Pinate said his inspiration comes from a lot of different things.
"I'm inspired by the people around me," he said. "Usually most of my material comes from some kind of struggle, political or internal. I'm inspired when I see human beings moving forward, even when all the odds are against them."
Poetry, if you read it on the page, is just a poem, but when it's performed with music, it becomes a show, said Charles Castillo, the band's drummer. It becomes performance poetry - spoken word - that's different and engaging and touches young people with something that's cool, but also informs.
"Poetry is trying to describe something that's indescribable. Everyone has to take it to their own level," Castillo said. "When it hits you, you know it - there's no question about it - you feel it in your soul and essence."
