“Let’s go see a poetry show.” That is a sentence rarely proclaimed and usually responded to with cringes and excuses. The Mayhem Poets are on a mission to change that. Having been dubbed “an amazing ride” by the New York Times, this mind-boggling performance 
has been described as “The Simpsons meets Malcolm X at a Notorious B.I.G. concert”. These theatre trained, comedically gifted, lyrical virtuosos seamlessly blend raw elements of hip hop, theatre, improv and stand up comedy to tell gut wrenching truths that leave audiences forever changed.
The Mayhem Poets’ unique approach to spoken word has landed them feature spots on the Today Show and Eyewitness News after winning first place and a grant for 100k in the Microsoft Idea Wins Challenge in 2006. Since then they’ve been touring internationally and spreading their mission to reshape society’s view of poetry.
A graduate of Rutgers University with a double degree in Theater and Journalism, Scottt Raven co-founded The Mayhem Poets. His performance work has been featured by Fiat, Purina, CNN, and The Today Show. His written work has appeared in the New York Times and New York Post. He is the author of Sconnettts, a collection of Shakespearean sonnets based on all of his past romantic relationships; and the upcoming “6 Piece Chicken (performable poems and stories from on tour).” He’s also a proud member of the Spoken Word Almanac Project (SWAP) and Poetic Poeople Power (P3). Scottt grew up in Edison, NJ, and currently lives in Harlem, NYC, where he runs and puns with his almost wife and imaginary man’s best friend, Spott.
Originally from Philly, raised in Willingboro, and currently living in Queens NYC, Mason Granger has been a full-time member of the performance poetry trio The Mayhem Poets since 2005. With a style that’s equal parts smart & smile, Mason gets his points across in a way that leaves audiences hopefully a little more knowledgeable and feeling a little better than when they arrived. Mason is also the creator of SlamFind, the world’s first mobile app dedicated to performance poetry that allows poetry fans to discover & connect with live poetry venues and individual poets all over North America. SlamFind poetry videos have been featured by The Huffington Post, Upworthy, Buzzfeed, Cosmo and many more. Mason himself has been featured in magazines such as Vibe, Complex, Fader and Rolling Stone as a spokesperson for New Era Caps.
Mikumari Caiyhe is an established actor, emcee, spoken word poet, and arts educator. A native of Washington, DC, Mikumari graduated from the distinguished Duke Ellington School for the Arts, with a focus in Theatre. He completed his formal education at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, as an Acting major. As an artist, Mikumari has toured internationally. Some credits include, being cast as the lead actor in the musical “Revelations,” while in London, England, playing the role of God/MC. In the same year, being one of the first emcees/ rappers to ever do a Hip Hop concert at Shakespeare’s Globe. Most recently, member of NYC’s Nuyorican Poets Cafe 2013 Competitive poetry team. As an educator and arts advocate, Mikumari is independently contracted by The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Boys And Girls Club of America, and The YMCA to facilitate art residencies and workshops teaching literary arts, acting, and ballroom dance. Finally, it is Mikumari’s ambition to use art to liberate individuals from fear, emancipate and empower the light within and… illuminate forever.
Kyle Rapps is co-founder and producer of Mayhem Poets. His hip-hop styles and theatrical presence have earned him poetry slam victories across the nation, and brought him all the way to the Grand Slam finals at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City. As a rapper, Kyle has recorded with the likes of Action Bronson, Talib Kweli, KRS-One and Joell Ortiz. After touring for over 10 years with the group, Kyle recently moved to Mexico City to spread the Mayhem Poets message across the border.