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Tshaka Menelik Imhotep Campbell is a former Silicon Valley Poet Laureate and has authored four books of poetry: Tarman, Muted Whispers, STUFF | I will Write More, and Tunnel Vision. He is preparing to release a fifth book with El Martillo Press, Blood at the Root. 

Born in London, England, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Tshaka was introduced to the words of Malcolm X and Winston Churchill at an early age by his father, an orator and advocate for the power of language. While the influence of those lessons lay dormant for much of his youth, Tshaka was concurrently exposed to the rhythm and rhyme of early rap music and life as a Black man in America.

Tshaka’s passion for poetry did not materialize until his early thirties. Surrounded by a group of close friends during a Friday night gathering called “Isms at 540,” Tshaka realized the beauty within poetry through a friendly writing competition. When Tshaka picked up the pen to write, these interests and dormant influences converged on paper using rhythm and rhyme to parse the backdrop of life and history. What began as a gathering of friends became a community of poets whose respect for the art form inspired his work. Today, much of Tshaka’s poetry revolves around a need for identity, exploring themes such as fatherhood and the experiences of Black Americans.

Tshaka has the ability to manipulate elements of language, such as consonance and alliteration, into a metaphorical gloved fist that can strike audiences to the core. That ability is balanced by the softness of themes related to human experience. His soon-to-be-released book of poems, Blood At The Root, was written for his daughter and has taken over a decade to complete. In this book, he hopes to share experiences she can bring into her life. Blood at the Root aims to address topics related to love, loss, and the human condition. 

In this conversation, we discuss Tshaka’s formative upbringing, his creation story as a poet, his purpose for writing, and the perspective behind his upcoming book.

Catch Tshaka at SJZ Breakroom on Sunday, February 16, from 6:30 to 9:30p as he performs and hosts Beautiful Black Books Presents Tiny Room Poetry Series, featuring some of the Bay Area and New York’s most celebrated artists. Tshaka has curated this special Black History Month event that celebrates the power of poetry and music. RSVP Here. 

Follow Tshaka on Instagram @pappatshak.

Featured in issue 12.1, “Device.”

*Edit: The intended reference to the breadmaking process at 48:50 is “proofing” rather than “pruning.”