BIRTH OF A NAME:
It was during the time of rehearsals at the New Breed (A Black clothing enterprise) that the name "The Last Poets"was born. All three poets had been trying to think of a name they could all themselves. Kain had come up with the "East Poets", but it was David who came up with the name - the definitive name "The Last Poets." He had read a poem by a South African poet named K. William Kgositile.
This poem, stated clearly our position as a people in a struggle, and made a direct statement as to the future of our struggle, and our (at least what we thought at that time) our eminent victory. Quote, K. William Kgositile: This wind you hear is the birth of memory. When the moment hatches in time's womb, there will be no more art talk. The only poem you'll hear, will be the spear point pivoted in the punctured marrow of the villain, the timeless native son dancing like crazy to the retrieved rhythms of desire fading into memory" David Nelson added,"Therefore, we are The Last Poets of the world." Kain and Charles enthusiastically agreed with David that "The Last Poets" would be a befitting name for the group. (Note: the primary verse quoted from Kgositile poem, to the press at that time was: "This is the last age of poems, and essays, guns and rifles will take the place of poems and essays, therefore we are the last poets of this age." where the concept of the last poets is also mentioned).
The next goal was to find a loft, a place where The Last Poets could have their own work space and a home base of operations.The home base of The Last Poets, was named "The East Wind" Kain had found the loft with the help of another brother, Russell Pitchford (later named Olumide) who became the manager for the group. The East Wind, was located at 3 East 125th St. (between Fifth and Madison) Harlem, New York.
The third floor, the L-shaped loft, was surrounded by illustrious company The Celebrity Soul On Wax Record Shop, Olatunji's African Drum and Dance Center, a jubilant "Holy Roller" church, and numerous bars.
The stage was set for this new energy, this vibrant force of three young Black men to poetically discuss and define this Black experience.