Chicago at Africa West Bookstore in August of 1997. Its founder Orron Kenyetta I, along with, Tony Collins, attempting to capture and preserve the essence of Urban Arts Expression, embarked on composing what they refer to as the Guild Manifesto. Still Black See (the performers) was an immediate and natural progression of this union and its core, composed of Tony Collins (720), Ricky "Ret-ta-go" Glover, Malakh, Dread and Orron Kenyetta I, are one of the most impacting acts on the Chicago art scene today. SBS incorporates within its performance the powers of drum, song and spoken word with an element of improv comparable to that of Jazz and has received praise and recognition from the Second City, Chicago Tribune, Newcity, and The Chicago Defender. SBS has appeared on several public access shows and at every local venue for spoken word. SBS has worked to create a link between poetry and jazz and their respective audiences by becoming an intricate element of each venue they visit. In 1997 and 1998, in collaboration with jazz great Fred Anderson and the Velvet Lounge, SBS launched one of the most memorable sets in the history of Chicago poetry - a platform conducted by the performing artists and the audience. The group has since hosted at Rituals, Sol Cafe, Some Like It Black Gallery and the Coco Bean Café - revolutionizing the Chicago open mic while hosting in residence at the infamous local coffeehouse, Jazz N Java. The brothers of SBS have performed with legendary poets such as Haki Madhubuti and The Last Poets and continue to make their presence felt wherever they are invited. SBS has been privileged to enjoy a long list of performances - both local and worldwide. Recently, the group released a CD compilation of acid jazz and poetry (Tha Afterset Sessions) and is touring abroad for its promotion. Orron Kenyetta I has published three volumes of poetry and is currently working on his forth literary work, Characterology. Ricky Glover is on the third printing his continuously sold out first book, An Explosion of Poetry. Tony Collins is expecting to release his book and CD in Spring 2003, in conjunction with the release of the group's CD compilation, Fungus.                                             

STILL BLACK SEE