The Last Poets were formed in the US in the late 1960s, a period full of hope and dreams of revolution, and a time when the Black Panthers were at the height of their power. Taking their name from those who believed they were in the last era of poetry before guns would take over, these African-American poets and musicians ignited the imagination of a generation – and laid the groundwork for the hip hop movement of the 1980s and '90s. Dutch author Christine Otten was inspired to write about their lives – and there began a deep friendship and an acclaimed novel. The last poets are Felipe Luciano, David Nelson, and the three who are with us today, Abiodun Oyewole, Donn Babatunde and Umar Bin Hassan.

The Last Poets are supported by Apples and Snakes, the UK's leading organisation for spoken word and performance poetry.