Marc Marcel, a Grammy-nominated spoken word artist, is redefining the scope of poetry with his latest project, *Black Shaman Strikes Back*. This ambitious endeavor transforms his full-length spoken word album into a feature-length film, combining orchestral and electronic music with live-action footage, animation, and AI-assisted filmmaking.

Read More

The project, released in August 2026, serves as both the narrative foundation and soundtrack for the film. For Marcel, this work represents a significant turning point shaped by his confrontation with mortality following a near-fatal airplane incident, which profoundly altered his perspective on creativity and time.

Marcel has expressed that the themes of *Black Shaman Strikes Back* revolve around time, legacy, and the dual nature of fear—as both a constraint and a motivator. The album oscillates between vulnerability and defiance, spirituality and social commentary. He remarked, "I have been breathing this album... just this, one hundred percent, since the day after the Grammys."

This latest project developed right after the 2026 Grammy Awards, where his previous album, *Black Shaman*, had been nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. Rather than replicate his prior success, Marcel sought to innovate and explore new musical landscapes in this album.

Tracks like “Adam” and “Air” emphasize expansive storytelling, while others such as “Gypsy Eyes” and “In the Light” integrate electronic influences. He also includes a cappella performances, stripping the production down to vocal and rhythmic components. Marcel's vision challenges traditional boundaries, seeking a holistic representation of poetry.

Utilizing generative video platform Higgsfield AI, he crafted visuals that reflect the imagery within his poetry. The resulting film does not merely accompany the album but is built on its poetry, creating an immersive narrative experience.

The album features contributions from notable artists, including Grammy-winning composer Kitt Wakeley and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and is produced by Leandro Álvarez. The collaborative effort spans diverse musical genres while maintaining Marcel's poetry at its core.

The feature film will premiere on October 7, 2026, at a private screening in Hollywood, marking its first presentation to an audience. This event symbolizes the culmination of Marcel's cross-medium artistic vision, transforming spoken word into a comprehensive visual experience.

*Black Shaman Strikes Back* not only expands the role of spoken word in the recording industry but also redefines the relationship between poetry, music, and film. Following his 2026 Grammy nomination, Marcel has submitted this new project for consideration in the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album category.

In a rapidly evolving artistic landscape, this project exemplifies how poets can conceive expansive universes that incorporate music and film, suggesting new creative models for independent artists.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Marc Marcel has developed a prolific career as an artist, author, and performer, having traveled to 150 U.S. cities and eight countries. He co-founded Cosmidelic Productions and established The Cosmidelic Foundation, further exploring the intersections of art, philosophy, and emerging technologies.