When I started writing poetry, it was always in very hip-hop influenced spaces: Someone would teach a Nas song side-by-side with a Gwendolyn Brooks poem, and we'd talk about the connections between those things. — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
Me and my three younger siblings, we sang together in grandma's church, and I was in the Chicago Children's Choir in high school, but… — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
My mentor made me say a poem over and over. 'Stop! That's not your voice. Start again.' I was sobbing by the end, but… — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
Music is something that is supposed to connect people on a pure level. — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
The lake was always my orienting point when my dad was teaching me how to not get lost. The lake is east, so you'll… — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
They say Chicago is for haters. No one will just sweat each other and say, 'Oh, you're so good,' if you're not. Which is… — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
I read 'Song of Solomon' by Toni Morrison in college, and it just blew my mind. — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
I really value what Closed Sessions is doing to build the Chicago music scene and am excited to partner with them for my first… — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
In some ways, I value specificity. I think that there's power in, once you know who your fan base is, being able to speak… — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
A lot of people get Chicago wrong. I've developed this protective feeling about how we're portrayed, and at the same time, I'm acutely aware… — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
I think of music as creating a space. I like to put things in that are comforting to me and are nostalgic. To me,… — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
I don't know if it's because I grew up in Beverly or my friends, but I listened to a lot of alternative rock music.… — Jamila Woods Copy Share Image
