Run Loses Poet Laureate Bid

Rev. Run was denied the status of poet laureate yesterday (April 23) in Queens, New York. The winner was noted Korean-American poet Ishle Yi Park who is ironically, a poet that appears on Def Poetry, which was created by the younger Simmons’ older brother Russell. Yi Park, 26, said that she was honored to be […]

Rev. Run was denied the status of poet laureate

yesterday (April 23) in Queens, New York.

The winner was noted Korean-American poet Ishle

Yi Park who is ironically, a poet that appears on Def Poetry, which was created

by the younger Simmons’ older brother Russell.

Yi Park, 26, said that she was honored to be

compared with Run, because she grew up listening to Run and Hip-Hop music.

"I know that my life’s work lies in writing

about my people with honesty, integrity and compassion." Yi Park said.

"I’m gonna try to keep my focus on that, and let god take care of the rest."

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall swore

Yi-Park in at Queens College, who edged out 75 hopefuls. The position lasts

three years and does not pay.

Simmons said that he felt Queens wasn’t ready

for a rapper as a poet and was setting a goal of becoming the national poet

laureate.

The national position was created in 1937 and

includes such titans as James Dickey, Randall Jarrell and Robert Frost.