Music Superstar Features NJ Governor Candidate’s Poem On Her Latest Tour

NEWARK, NJ — A poem written by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is being featured as part of music superstar Beyoncé’s latest tour.

Baraka’s spoken word piece, “I Want to Hear An American Poem,” is being shown as part of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour, which kicked off earlier this spring.

The mayor shared an edited version of concert footage from a recent show, which can be seen online here.

The poem has made an impression among some fans. One called it “absolutely insane visual storytelling,” sharing a video from the audience’s point of view.

Baraka’s reading of the poem was originally filmed at a “Def Poetry Jam” event (see the lyrics here). Video footage is being displayed on the monitors of Beyoncé’s shows.

“I want to hear an American poem,” he urges. “I want to hear an American poem. Something American, you know – something American, you know. Some sassy s*** or South Carolina slave shouter Alabama backwoods church shack call and response.”

The poem delves into themes that explore poverty, violence, police brutality and working-class solidarity, decrying American historical blemishes such as slavery, the “Trail of Tears” and COINTELPRO.

Baraka is the son of famed, late poet Amiri Baraka, a background that he has put to work as the mayor of New Jersey’s largest city.

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Baraka was one of the first gubernatorial candidates to announce his run for the highest office in New Jersey, breaking the news at a Black History Month event in Trenton last year.

During his tenure as Newark mayor, the former teacher has launched rolled out several efforts to tackle several hot-button issues in the city, such as a lack of housing, income inequality, education gaps and policing reform.

If elected, he would be the first Black governor in the state’s history. New Jersey – one of the most diverse states in the nation – has also had just a single female governor: Christine Todd Whitman.

Learn more about his campaign platform here.

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Baraka is one of six Democratic candidates running for New Jersey governor in the 2025 primary election. Other candidates seeking the Democrat nomination include Mikie Sherrill, Steve Fulop, Sean Spiller, Josh Gottheimer and Steve Sweeney.

Republican candidates include Mario Kranjac, Jon Bramnick, Jack Ciattarelli, Justin Barbera and Bill Spadea.

Third-party and independent candidates include Stephen Zielinski (Green Party), Gerardo Cedrone (independent), Karen Zaletel (independent), and Joanne Kuniansky (independent).

The primary election for Democratic and Republican candidates will take place on June 10. The voter registration deadline is May 20. Learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

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