Tommy Bottoms campaigns for spoken word nomination after Def Poetry Jam breakthrough performance
Twenty years after his poem “Basic Economics” captivated television audiences on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam, Peru, Indiana native Tommy Bottoms is back in the spotlight – this time with his sights set on Grammy gold.
The spoken word artist is currently touring the country as a part of his For Your Consideration campaign, hoping to secure a nomination for his latest album, “The Art of Intelligence,” before the Sept. 30 deadline.
On Sept. 19, Bottoms brought that campaign home to Indiana, headlining the 13th anniversary of “The Green House Affect” open mic at PharmFree Life Dispensary & Cafe. The energy in the room was palpable as poets, comedians, rappers and singers gathered to celebrate both the venue’s milestone and Bottoms’ homecoming.
“Poetry has an effect on and makes a difference in people.”
Jus Will
“Poetry stars felt close enough to pluck,” said event organizer Jus Will, who created the open mic 13 years ago. “Poetry has an effect on and makes a difference in people.”
Comedian Dwayne Cobb, who performed that night, recognized the parallelism between comedy and poetry: “Both genres are good for the overall morale of the human experience. The more they take off, the better the morale of the people.”
From Def Poetry to Grammy dreams
Bottoms first gained national attention when he performed “Basic Economics” on a Def Poetry Jam episode airing Sept. 26th, 2004. The poem later became a cultural phenomenon – studied at Harvard, featured on NPR’s Freakonomics and shared across social media platforms.
Now, his latest work represents what he calls “the natural evolution of where seasoned spoken word meets hip hop music.” The album tackles weighty social and political topics while bridging generational gaps in hip-hop culture.
“Hip-hop is the only genre where it’s expected that you stop appreciating it at a certain age,” Bottoms explained during his performance in Indianapolis. “But as the hip hop generation becomes older and more mature, the culture is seeking music that more aligns and reflects where they are in their own lives. I think this album is that perfect blend of the lyrical depth of spoken word mixed with classic hip hop beats.”
The art vs. artificial intelligence
The title “Art of Intelligence” serves as both description and defiance – a play on “artificial intelligence” that positions human creativity as irreplaceable in an increasingly automated world.
“Artificial intelligence will perform most tasks better than humans, but it’s the ‘Art of Intelligence’ where, in my opinion, humans will always have the upper hand,” Bottoms said.
His lyrics reflect this philosophy: “America is in the middle of its second civil war/the rich versus the poor/and I am a have-not with a sword.”
The album functions as what Bottoms calls a “music think piece,” something that can play in the background of a card game while also serving as “the catalyst for interesting discussions on politics and culture.”
Small-town perspective, big-stage dreams
“I’m far more Mayberry than Manhattan…”
Tommy Bottoms
“Growing up in small-town Indiana shaped my perspective,” explains Bottoms. “I’m far more Mayberry than Manhattan, with a chip on my shoulder in many ways. Being from a midwestern town, not called Chicago or Detroit, people assume a certain lack of cultural sophistication.”
But that assumption proved wrong during a recent Brooklyn show. “I hadn’t performed in Brooklyn for several years, yet there were people there who knew who this small-town kid was and were excited to see him. If I never win a Grammy, that’s a win,” Bottoms said.
New Grammy categories open doors
Bottoms’ Grammy campaign comes at a pivotal time for spoken word artists. In 2023, the Recording Academy renamed and redefined categories to better recognize the art form. The category formerly known as “Spoken Word Album” was renamed “Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording.” In contrast, a new “Best Spoken Word Poetry Album” category was explicitly introduced for poetry performances, with or without music accompaniment.
“Whether my album is nominated or not, I feel spoken word is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. I’m more than honored to have my hat in the ring,” Bottoms said.
Evolution of an artist
Bottoms acknowledges how his perspectives have evolved over the decades.
“When I started poetry, I was a single man in my mid-20s, and now I’m 52 and married with a mortgage,” Bottoms said. “Politically, I still consider myself an ‘anti-establishment/classic liberal/libertarian,’ but beyond the politics, I think the album is representative of a broader shift occurring within the culture.”
He reflected on his earlier criticism of spoken word’s commercialization, explaining he wasn’t being critical of “the lights and cameras” but rather observing how some artists got distracted by “local fame.”
“I’ve seen countless poets crash and burn out because they were pursuing what they thought was a fast track to fame, only to find out there is work and dedication and discipline required, with no guarantee of said fame and fortune,” he said.
Looking forward
“Art of Intelligence” is available on all streaming platforms. Bottoms will continue his For Your Consideration tour with his next stop at Da Poetry Lounge on Sept. 23 in Los Angeles.
As for how this project fits into his broader body of work, including “Educated Gangster 101,” Bottoms sees a common thread.
“It’s the commitment to storytelling,” Bottoms said. “Art of Intelligence is a collection of stories that are combined to create one complete thought.”
Whether the Grammy nomination comes or not, Bottoms has already achieved something significant – bringing national attention back to Indiana’s spoken word scene and proving that artistic excellence can emerge from anywhere.
“This album is not just a representation of my growth as an artist, but as a man.”
Tommy Bottoms
“This album is not just a representation of my growth as an artist, but as a man,” he concluded.
For more information about Tommy Bottoms and “The Art of Intelligence,” visit streaming platforms or follow his tour updates on social media.
Tasha Jones is a poet, writer, researcher, and educator whose work explores language as a tool for liberation and resistance. She hosts In the Beginning: The Spoken Word Podcast, the #1 spoken word podcast on Apple and Spotify. Tasha is also the Poems & Parables Literary Journal editor and is currently writing Pyramids. Plantations. Projects. Penitentiaries. You can follow her on social media: @iamtashajones, @itbspokenwordpod, and @poemsandparables.
