spoken word
what it is
Spoken word is a form of literary art where lyrics, poems, stories etc. are spoken rather than sung, or written with the intention of it, without the focus of music, but on the content. However, accompanying background music is quite common.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make spoken word a playlist
turn these 31 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is spoken word?
Spoken word is a form of literary art where lyrics, poems, stories etc. are spoken rather than sung, or written with the intention of it, without the focus of music, but on the content. However, accompanying background music is quite common.
What are good spoken word albums to start with?
Try Family Man by Black Flag, Slow Burn by Old Gray, Small Talk at 125th and Lenox by Gil Scott-Heron, and Here by Alicia Keys.
Who are some women making spoken word?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/spoken-word/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making spoken word, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20