“What voice! What vision.” – Nikki Giovanni
One of the most prolific talents in the Twin Cities, E.G. Bailey’s work has taken him throughout the U.S., England, South Africa, France, Serbia and more. He has created work in film, theater, music, radio and other. Born in Saclepea, Liberia, and based in Minnesota, he is founder of numerous local and national organizations including: MN Spoken Word Association, Tru Ruts Endeavors, Speakeasy Records, the Urban Griots Spoken Word Awards, The Spoken Word and Hip Hop Institute at the University of MN. He also created the LYFE (Liberian Youth Finding Empowerment) project to support emerging Liberian artists.
Deemed a true innovator of the spoken word art form, his charismatic yet rhythmic style dances words with verbal play. He has appeared in spoken word commercials including ‘Art Connects’, which premiered during the BET Awards, featured on MTV, VH1, MTV Europe, CBS, NBC and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame archived at MOMA, along side artists such as Michel Gondry. His debut album, American Afrikan, garnered strong critical reception; debuted on the CMJ Hip Hop charts; and was also nominated for an Independent Music Awards. He and his partner, Shá Cage, recently received an Regional Emmy award for their work in community television, and IVEY Awards for their work in theatre, as well as numerous fellowships and grants. As he moves effortless between radio, film, theater, music and producing, his work has a unique perspective and live performances always a treat.
In the last few years, E.G. returned to film and theatre, as director, writer and editor. He was an editor for the film, Petting Zoo, which debuted at the 65th International Berlin Film Festival. Bailey has directed plays for well-known production houses, such as Guthrie Theater, Pillsbury House, and Children’s Theater. Recent theatre credits as director and assistant director include: Othello, Juno and the Paycock, The Brother Size, King Lear, Bars and Measures, Sha Cage’s N-Word and U/G/L/Y, and Wise Why’s Y’s, Amiri Baraka’s poetry collection which he adapted as a spoken word, jazz and dance performance, and also worked with and directed Amiri Baraka. He has also served the last five years as the Assistant Director for renowned Broadway and August Wilson director, Marion McClinton, with whom he has worked with on over a dozen theatre projects. His film New Neighbors was selected for the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
