Grand Slam Poetry Champion | Harry Baker | TEDxExeter
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. From primes to proper pop-up purple paper people, Harry Baker performs his a pun-tastic and poignant poetry.
Harry Baker has always loved words. He's been blessed enough to travel round the world with them, winning the Poetry Slam World Cup in 2012 and currently using a maths degree as an excuse to live in Germany and find heaps more new words to play with. After two 5-star Edinburgh Fringe festival shows and almost growing a beard once, the next adventure is having his first book released in April this year.
/ harrybakerpoet
At TEDxExeter 2014 our speakers and performers connected us with other worlds. Our talks exposed corruption in big business, shared effective approaches to tackling social inequality and gave a voice to those whose human rights are under threat. We explored the impact of fast changing technologies on all our lives. We journeyed through fire and forest to frozen landscapes. We were challenged to consider worlds of extremes, cutting edge controversies and risky opportunities.
Video Production Chromatrope (chromatrope.co.uk/)
Production Manager Andy Robertson ( / familygamertv )
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
He performed at my school today, went into English next period, to have him teach us about writing poetry. He ended the lesson with a freestyle using words that the class had given him. Extremely talented guy.
I would love for him to come to my school
+Tomdaway I wish he can come to our school.
He came to my school too! :D
he's coming to my school next week!
Damn, he just did that in Munich. In my school. He did freestyle with: Skateboard, Fidget Spinner, Supreme and some other words and simply amazing.
he went from a comedian to a mathematician to a rapper to a psychologist all in 10 minutes
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all the math puns in the first poem made my little nerdy heart smile
Mel I guess you never watched Harry and Kumar before.
the square root of three poem made by kumar
+Aimee Frost pupo
Is it really math or just numbers?
You look like the little girl from hunger games
59 wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. Realizes all his hair is on one side of his head. Takes just under a minute to work out that it’s because of the way that he slept. He finds some clothes and gets dressed. He can’t help but look in the mirror and be subtly impressed How he looks rough around the edges and yet casually messed. And as he glances out the window, he sees the sight that he gets blessed with of 60 from across the street. Now 60 was beautiful, With perfectly trimmed cuticles, dressed in something suitable, And never rude or crude at all. Unimprovable, right on time as usual, more on cue than a snooker ball but liked to play it super cool. 59 wanted to tell her that he knew her favorite flower. He thought of her every second, every minute, every hour. But he knew it wouldn’t work, he’d never get the girl. Because although she lived across the street they came from different worlds. While 59 admired 60’s perfectly round figure, 60 thought 59 was odd. You see, one of his favorite films was "101 Dalmatians." She preferred the sequel. He romanticized the idea they were star-crossed lovers. They could overcome the odds and evens because they had each other, While she maintained the strict views imposed on her by her mother That separate could not be equal. And though at the time he felt stupid and dumb For trying to love a girl controlled by her stupid mum, He should have been comforted by the simple sum. Take 59 away from 60, and you’re left with the one. Sure enough after two months of moping around, 61 days later, 61 was who he found, He had lost his keys and his parents were out. So one day after school he went into a house And as he noticed the slightly wonky numbers on the door, He wondered why he’d never introduced himself before, As she let him in, his jaw dropped in awe. 61 was like 60, but a little bit more. See she had prettier eyes, and an approachable smile, And like him, rough around the edges, casual style, And like him, everything was in disorganized piles, And like him, her mum didn’t mind if friends stayed a while. Because she was like him, and he liked her. He reckoned she would like him if she knew he was like her, And it was different this time. I mean, this girl was wicked, So he plucked up the courage and asked for her digits. She said, "I'm 61." He grinned, said, "I'm 59. Today I’ve had a really nice time, So tomorrow if you wanted you could come over to mine?" She said, "Sure." She loved talking to someone just as quirky, So she agreed to this unofficial first date. In the end he was only ready one minute early, But that didn’t matter because she arrived one minute late. And from that moment on there was nonstop chatter, How they loved "X Factor," how they had two factors, How that did not matter. Distinctiveness made them better, By the end of the night they knew they were meant together. And one day she was talking about stuck-up 60, She noticed that 59 looked a bit shifty. He blushed and told her of his crush: “The best thing that never happened because it led to us.” 61 was clever, see, not prone to jealousy, She looked him in the eyes and told him quite tenderly, "You’re 59, I’m 61, together we combine to become twice what 60 could ever be." And at this point 59 had tears in his eyes, Was so glad to have this one-of-a-kind girl in his life. He told her the very definition of being prime Was that with only one and himself could his heart divide, And she was the one he wanted to give his heart to, She said she felt the same and now she knew the films were half true, Because that wasn't real love, that love was just a sample, When it came to real love, they were a prime example.
Hey, if you like spoken word you may like my stuff. Check it out and let me know what you think! :)
Thank you!
@@Freegreenwanderer where can I find your Poetry?
Thanks.
It is amazing
The first poem is not only clever but has a sweet story in it.. This guy is awesome!
yeah
@William Thiriot hes a troll just ignore him, he wants people to get mad
"All the darkness in the world cannot put out the light from a single candle... so how the hell could they put out your light". Powerful line there, probably my favourite.
Omg he just said it as I read that
Frosty's Art omg same!
handle* your light
"Told him he was too bright, That's why they never looked him in the eyes"THE FEELS
competed against this guy in the UK unislam event earlier this year. he was brilliant, i remember i lost all shits when he performed 'paper people' lol. really talented dude.
He's so talented cherryexplosion27
All Def Poetry he is! nice down-to-earth guy too.
I memorized paper people....
Omg you've met him he's my idol I am preparing for poetry world cup
Johnathan Bush i'm sure you'll be pleased to know then that he is as lovely and talented as he seems! goos luck in the competition! :)
What a perfect combination of humour, poetry and maths. Bravo bravo!
are you ok?
This guy went to my school
haha maths innit
If he would be the perfect root of all poetry to count on, then I, and I consciously say I, wouldnt feel so complex anymore!
Feeling any better
On paper it's hard to see how we all cope, but in the bottom of Pandora's box.. There's still hope. Fucking deep.
@Michael Da Re, just dropping by to mention that you are incredibly handsome. Hope all is well.
xXemuXx ..lol do I know you?
Michael Da Re Haha no, I just thought you should know. :)
So powerful!
+Michael Da Re Yea, and true story, if you know it. The last thing to come out of Pandora's Box was Hope, and it flew out into the world, even thought the evil spirits had already escaped.
Paper people is a masterpiece. It's so intricately basic it's no wonder it could be considered the best poem in the world. How the hell did he put that together to make me think - wow! I mean it's not difficult to understand the content as its incredibly basic subject matter. Harry has a gift and I'm really glad he shares it
Jamie Shawcross d
I seriously think these are the best poems ever!!!! The first one got your attention The second made you think, The last made you feel
0:42 prime poem "59" 6:05 "paper people" 10:04 "sunshine kid"
That "oragami army" line was genius
AGREED
I watch this over and over and over again I still cannot believe how amazing Harry Baker is
helena gonzales ME TOO:) my life is better now once I have discovered this. wonderful.And rorisang msi if he cat speak I don't know who can....Sad that u said that
Rhumbs up! +helena gomez
helena gonzales Harry Baker, aspirin tablet taker
+helena gonzales same
I still do. I listen as I fall asleep.
I would have stuttered into oblivion.
if it rhymed we woulda loved it bro
A M that’s so wholesome
@@AM-hd7ds love your positivity! 🌈😁
''... They were a prime example.'' Mind-blowing!
"best poem in the world" lol fucking genius boss would say that.. got me standing up clapping in my own room lololol.
I literally did the same
I always thought Harry Baker was a gift to poetry and then battle rap but over time I've come to realize he's a gift to the world.
"And if the world fell apart we'd still all make it through because we're people."
wow.. this guy got me clapping at home.
Marco Koroma sameeeee lmaooo😂😂😂😂
Same xD
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! Not only is he an amazing writer but he's quirky personality is amazing as well.
Hey, if you like spoken word you may like my stuff. Check it out and let me know what you think! :)
I clapped alone during night, laughed, teared up a little all within fourteen minutes, wow. And have somehow been caught with a little spark of hope, and a gentle touch to my heart. I am glad I found this tonight.
I felt exactly the same things. Laughter and then tears...
'He told her the very definition of being prime Was that with only one and himself could his heart divide' i just realised how cute this line actually is
I haven't felt touched by poetry before, but this man is very talented and really has the storytellers touch.
I just watched this years AGT ( America’s) Got Talent and it blew my mind. If you haven’t watched it, you won’t believe what I’m about to tell you. They had some great vocalists magicians , dancers, acrobats, etc but the million dollar first prize went a a SLAM POET!! 5 years ago this would have been unheard of. This winner would never have even made the cut. How things they are a changing! Poetry is making a comeback.
My Literature teacher showed this to my class when we were in 9th grade. We had a slam poetry competition, and not many were interested at first. I knew I was, but many were not. By the end of the project, more than half of the generation wrote their own poem and competed for the finals. This poetry sparked something very creative in my generation, and it warms my heart to look back on it. :)
paper people I like people. I'd like some paper people. They’d be purple paper people. Maybe pop-up purple paper people. Proper pop-up purple paper people. "How do you prop up pop-up purple paper people?" I hear you cry. Well I ... I’d probably prop up proper pop-up purple paper people with a proper pop-up purple people paperclip, but I’d pre-prepare appropriate adhesives as alternatives, a cheeky pack of Blu Tack just in case the paper slipped. Because I could build a pop-up metropolis. but I wouldn’t wanna deal with all the paper people politics. paper politicians with their paper-thin policies, broken promises without appropriate apologies. There’d be a little paper me. And a little paper you. And we could watch paper TV and it would all be pay-per-view. We’d see the poppy paper rappers rap about their paper package or watch paper people carriers get stuck in paper traffic on the A4. Paper. There’d be a paper princess Kate but we’d all stare at paper Pippa, and then we’d all live in fear of killer Jack the Paper-Ripper, because the paper propaganda propagates the people's prejudices, papers printing pictures of the photogenic terrorists. A little paper me. And a little paper you. And in a pop-up population people’s problems pop up too. There’d be a pompous paper parliament who remained out of touch, and who ignored the people's protests about all the paper cuts, then the peaceful paper protests would get blown to paper pieces, by the confetti cannons manned by pre-emptive police. And yes there’d still be paper money, so there’d still be paper greed, and the paper piggy bankers pocketing more than they need, purchasing the potpourri to pepper their paper properties, others live in poverty and ain’t acknowledged properly. A proper poor economy where so many are proper poor, but while their needs are ignored the money goes to big wars. Origami armies unfold plans for paper planes and we remain imprisoned in our own paper chains, but the greater shame is that it always seems to stay the same, what changes is who’s in power choosing how to lay the blame, they’re naming names, forgetting these are names of people, because in the end it all comes down to people. I like people. 'Cause even when the situation’s dire, it is only ever people who are able to inspire, and on paper, it’s hard to see how we all cope. But in the bottom of Pandora’s box there’s still hope, and I still hope 'cause I believe in people. People like my grandparents. Who every single day since I was born, have taken time out of their morning to pray for me. That’s 7892 days straight of someone checking I’m okay, and that’s amazing. People like my aunt who puts on plays with prisoners. People who are capable of genuine forgiveness. People like the persecuted Palestinians. People who go out of their way to make your life better, and expect nothing in return. You see, people have potential to be powerful. Just because the people in power tend to pretend to be victims we don’t need to succumb to that system. And a paper population is no different. There’s a little paper me. And a little paper you. And in a pop-up population people's problems pop up too, but even if the whole world fell apart then we’d still make it through. Because we’re people.
Lame and boring story from a well known heroin junkie... He's awful on the smack or not.
Chill your hate.
You didn't finish it
Peter Walker i did
Imagine the spit
His delivery is amazing! He’s so clever with his words, yet they’re so powerful and meaningful. Astounded by him!
Harry Baker...I have never fallen in love online before...but YOU are BEYOND WORDS. I...LOVE...YOU. Thank you for being.
"every time the called him names they cooled his flames", I like that.
I thought I was decent at poetry before this
Loll don't worry, just because someone else's light shines bright doesn't mean that it can dim yours
@@Spookypeachesboii wow that's such a wonderful thing you've said ❤️
And he's a comedian too! ...on the A4... Clever.
Damn - that 3rd poem was brilliant!
A4 is the most often used paper-format (at least here in Austria where I live) :)
The way he says "snooker ball" makes me smile. And holy crap. Now I wanna memorise Paper People. :)
same!
Funni
I never knew I could like a poem about prime numbers, until this. Like woah...! 😊
Very charming. His voice and delivery make this perfect. I can't help but imagine 59 as an everyday Joe in a London flat with a handsome British accent...just living, just loving.
Roses are grey Violets are grey Everything is grey I am a dog
+timothy wiliusa hoooooooooooooooooooo
+timothy wiliusa dogs see some shades of blue so there goes your poem
Oh. I thought it was just nonsense. STOOPID ME.
La Bourgeois Camaraderie well I mean, the poem, in its right to be a poem, is nonsense, for it isnt giving any kind of message or purpose. But the principal behind the poem, the user saying that dogs only see gray, is him most likely believing in that statement, so what I am doing, is informing said user to factual information so he is more educated of the world around him, which in this case, is the visablity of light varations a domesticated wolf has.
+timothy wiliusa omg I read that as "roses are gay" HAHAHAHAH
I can't even explain how much that first poem made me smile cx I appreciate poetry, and I very much appreciate puns so it was perfect haha
I adored this! He did an amazing job making me smile and understand. He didn't talk about tragedy and personal damage but instead stood, saying that he was happy and shone bright. This was brilliant and he definitely deserved to be the world champion....If only I had the ability to do that. Jealous!!
The sunshine one was amazing, it reminded me of my own life, how I was the Sunshine Kid, beaten my the shadows, never fit in, but recently I found my Miss Sunshine, she's amazing, keeps me happy, and I know it is mutual, I still have shadows attacking me, but Miss Sunshine speaks to me on a regular day basis, making me forget about the shadows, the only down side is, we live in different countries, she's in one, I'm in another, hopefully one day we will become together.
Remember, it's the same sun that is lighting up both of your days :)
" every minute every hour"....60...please tell me I'm over thinking this.
You're not-it's a maths poem. That's exactly where he was going. Just in the same way 59 takes 'just under a minute' (59 seconds) to analyse his appearance and arrives 1 minute early whereas 61 is 1 minute late.
+Madeleine oh my gosh what sort of genius
Jetoye Andrews O.M.G! Mind blown...
🤔🤔 this is smart real smart
when you just realize this and this was posted 2 years later 9 billion iq
Who is watching this because they are gonna make a slam poetry?
Me😂😂😂😂
The last poem had a lump in my throat, was beautiful.
I am a college student and listening to that Paper poem performance made me cry a little, it's so beautiful 😩
I remember for a poetry contest at school had a girl do the Paper People poem. Her way of saying it was slower and I felt captivated the whole time she was speaking. In the end, she won the contest.
I legit am crying from the last one
This is so beautiful. Wow. Seriously, I'm speechless. This Harry Baker is an astounding individual.
I prefer Schmidt's poem from 22 jump street
dead. SHE IS DEAD.
Syed Rafiq Kazim lol
mic drop
Julia! Rob HURTS
I think I have a new favorite poet, now. The Proper Pop-up Purple Paper People was my favorite, but I really do love them all. I hope someday I can be as good as this...
does he have a girlfriend? damn. poetic, witty and hot? I see you sunshine kid.
Robin Waters Rude.
😂😂😂
Hot!?! Never seen a hot brit lol
He's now a battle rapper.
What's his rap name? Is he in KotD?
His rap name is Harry Baker, he's in Don't Flop
he's been involved with DF for like 2 years you know right?
i knew it, his voice sounds like "wut up m8"
a great battle rapper imo, real funny and with original material. Akward sometimes, sure, but that grows on you
"My name is Harry Baker, Harry Baker is my name. If your name was Harry Baker, then our names would be the... same" omg
He reminds me of Jon cozart
Paper People...My Lord, made me wanna rip up all of my work
J. Alden likewise. and never ever perform again
6:05 - paper people notes for future self and anyone else who is interested: use of hand gestures to emphasise his point lots of alliteration, consonance, assonance and rhyming no particular rhyme scheme, however, and the poem flows more like a story cohered with above alliteration etc. paper puns and metaphors message of how people can achieve a lot
So many nuggets of GOLD in these hills....takes more than a few views to unearth them. Closing my eyes during the poems was a mind-blower! Thanks Harry...
I love it... but anyone else feel like he needs a drink? lol
lol well he's a open and well known junkie... he'd probably decline it. :)
I've seen two comments of yours talking so much shit about him. You really need to let your jealousy go and move on. It's sad that you think he sucks as poet when you yourself probably couldn't ever be half as good as him. And even if he is a junkie, which I doubt, he has more talent than you on drugs or not.
+Novia Lennox what are you talking about? also, what do you mean; talent?
Novia Lennox Who are you talking too?
+Jamie Mckaye I was talking to that CyberPunk dude sorry.
Beautiful. Just beautiful. I love the repeating and repeating and repeating alliteration of "p" in Paper People.
We can't thank you enough Harry for sharing your incredible talent at our online school - you've inspired so many!
He's literally so amazing, the humor and clever writings and wordings. Amazing
I've been watching all the competitors performances from that contest and they all are ok but Harry is just something else wow! What a legend, sure he is The Goat at this.
The last one teared me up a bit. This was brilliant... I don't think I have the words to describe how great that actually was.
harry baker, YOU are one in a septillion, and you are brilliant!
I love Harry Baker! I've seen him live 4 or 5 times and he's been incredible every time!
The sunshine kid is now my favorite poem...
+NJAY8/16/08 I like paper people
+Matthew Cupelli I don't get that one bcuz of how fast he talked. can you tell me what it was about?
+Ksen K Turn captions om
Those captions really shows how bad he mumbles. He really sucks as a poet too, lord he stinks.
one of the best "wordsmiths" in existence ...nice one
There's something about his delivery that I can't put my finger on, it's very calming, refreshing
Still get so many chills coming back since a few years
why is nobody talking about how beautiful he is?? 😍
..maybe because he is Handsome??!
Unusual to see a poet (in today's world) who actually rhymes!
+Brian Dorn Other poet's also rhyme, but they just do it infrequently in free-verse/slam poems. This guy is different because the way he presents it is like a rap +poem.
Technically is the bestically. Technically correct is the very best type of correct for this human. As a very geeky and nerdy person, the prime poem was right up my street. As a human being, it was beautiful. It made me think, too; just like the others did. If you're reading these comments, Harry, please take a huge BRAVO from me.
Four years later, I still love watching this.
I had a hard time understanding him sometimes but I turned on the closed captions .... This was a really nice poem
i hate google plus LIKEWISE! (Paper People right?)
Yes, me too. So mesmerizing 👏
can't get over these three poems! ❤
He came to my school today and did hundreds of his amazing poems for us and I felt so grateful to meet him
“sunshine kid” took my breath away. what a beautiful poem.
I barely laugh out loud from videos, but this was hilarious and beautiful at the same time.
I feel like he would be great at 3am drunk intellectual conversation 😂
During his 1st poem, t he audience laughs but this story is so beautiful and well written. It's not funny. It's deep and it's so very well written and meaningful.
All i have to say is ... 'WOW' just WOW , omg i am speechless . This person has a truly Gorgeous soul and he conveys it beautifully
I love this guy's voice
He is a genius. I love him so much.
"all the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of a single candle" everybody deserves to hear this every single day
He had me at love story but then he added math to it and my heart sky rocket. And the sun shine kid reminds me of my transformation from last year to this year.
the first poem was amazing, so so smart
Are rappers considered poets?
RAP stands for Rhythm and Poetry so I guess so
listen to aesop rock or lupe fiasco.
Jacob Cope no,aesop rock
Abdul Wakeem yes
lite daya7 Street poets for new 21. century sensorium. envelope of percepcion.
This is a businesses of millions, if not zillions, whatewer you earn it can be on the disc or downturn. So, so, so bless writing for you all!
ive listened to this ted talk many times and just now i realized the genius of the 'he was ready one minute early but it didnt matter cause she arrived one minute late' line
he is truly amazing
Wow no wonder he won!
every year i come to this video to remind myself how amazing these poems were.
thats why you invest your time into checking out other poets to get inspired by their style of writing. Thanks Harry Baker for expanding our idea of using words.
I wrote this one last night and it was my first try at poetry... Hope you. Like it! Live Your Life We are all on a rock That is floating through space without any thought The problem is that we car too much We can't just be kids a play double Dutch We want to fit in Even though while we try we are dying within We are killing variety And "cool" is what we are trying to be Our personalities are fading away As we are stuck in the game that everyone plays "You're stupid" "That's gay" Some kids get that every day Because they understand We are all on a rock That is floating through space without any thought It's okay to be different Because what you like, your hobbies Are what make you amazing And if you do them your life will end up changing So please put down the knife People love YOU, now go live your life.
The message is good, but the poem itself is unoriginal. These are a dime a dozen. Try to be more honest in your language; you're already honest enough in your message.
+la dida And there are some grammatical errors as well
la dida yeah i was super tired so thats why theres grammatical errors but thanks for the other advice. I will work on that for sure.
amazing😊 keep it up
+Parker Robert BUUUUUH YOU SUCK!! BUUUH!!!
'Loved the poem 59!
I keep watching this over and over. His talent is insane
i'm so glad that he begins with "my name is harry baker, harry baker is my name" because this way i never forget his name
Inspiring talent
"she was brilliant" all I could think was : The Doctor!!!
If the whole world fell apart, we'll still make it through, because we are people. (Holds up to the times)
Came here from my English class from the southport school in Australia we watched this in class and now I search it up in my time at home this Vid is SO GOOD KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK