Rashad thaPoet Rayford

Rashad Rayford (aka “thaPoet”) fuses spoken-word hip hop with corporate energy to create live experiences that pull teams from the boardroom into performance. On stage, words from the room become songs. Phrases on a board evolve into rhythms. Moments of input turn into waves of connection. In that instant, your culture becomes your art. He’s been featured on TEDx, NPR, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. He’s opened for hip-hop greats like Big Boi of Outkast and Talib Kweli, he's reached stages ranging from the Schermerhorn Symphony Center to international floors. In your corporate event, he: Invites your team’s language into the space. Riffs live on their ideas, creating a moment of community and art. Leaves the group not just entertained, but aligned, energized and newly connected. Whether you’re warming up a conference, activating a brand experience, or transforming internal culture, Rashad turns your words into the performance that your people remember.