5 poets that inspire Humble The Poet

From Instagram stars to award-winning rappers and spoken word artists, Humble The Poet finds inspiration all over the place. Here, he reveals five artists that have inspired his work and that you should check out.

• 2023 CBC Poetry Prize is now open to Canadian poets

1. Rupi Kaur

How Rupi Kaur became one of the most famous poets in the world

2 years ago

Duration 15:02

At the heart of Rupi Kaur’s success is the connection she made with the millions of people who saw themselves in her poems of heartbreak, trauma and the immigrant experience.

Brampton, Ont. writer Rupi Kaur is an internet phenomenon, with over 1.2 million people following her poetry on Instagram. Her debut collection milk and honey, a #1 New York Times bestseller, explores the experience of womanhood, from violence and abuse to love and femininity. She's currently working on her sophomore collection.

• Poet and artist Rupi Kaur battled taboos about women's bodies

2. Saul Williams

Saul Williams is an American poet and performer, whose work includes the albums MartyrLoserKing and Amethyst Rock Star, as well as the searing poetry collection US (a.). As an acclaimed slam poet, Williams has performed all over the world. In the music video above, Williams performs "Horn of The Clock-Bike" from the album MartyrLoserKing.

• Saul Williams on how to "give your life" while you're alive

3. Ian Kamau

Seeing Ian Kamau perform in Hamilton inspired Humble The Poet to take up spoken word poetry. Kamau is an artist from Toronto, whose discography includes the LP One Day Soon and mixtape Vol. 3 Love and Other Struggles.

• Ian Kamau's musical tribute to Toronto's Esplanade

4. Mustafa The Poet

Young Toronto poet honours his inspiration and hero Muhammad Ali with poem

8 years ago

Duration 1:32

Toronto poet Mustafa Ahmed says he felt "scattered" after hearing that his hero Muhammad Ali died and decided to gather his thoughts by writing a poem about Ali "because that's the best way we live on."

Mustafa The Poet burst on the slam poetry scene in his youth, reciting verse about growing up in Toronto's Regent Park. He was named the poet laureate of the Pan Am games in 2015, and his Twitter and Instagram following continues to grow by the thousands. In the player above, Mustafa The Poet recites a tribute he wrote to the late, great boxer Muhammad Ali.

5. K'naan

Best known for his anthem Wavin' Flag, K'naan has won Juno awards for albums like Troubadour and The Dusty Foot Philosopher. He's currently working with Zero Dark Thirty director Kathryn Bigelow on an HBO pilot Mogadishu, Minnesota. One of Humble The Poet's favourite K'naan songs is Strugglin'.