Torres, a two-time member of the Sacramento Slam Team and the champion of the Sacramento Grand Slam in 2006, entertained students at the Chumash Auditorium during Another Type of Groove.
“They’re lending me their ears and their thought processes,” Torres said. “I love being able to speak in front of a group that’s trying to do something with their lives and change the world.”
While discussing hot-button issues, Torres wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion and wished others to do the same.
“I wish people would have come up to me and called me out,” he said. “I think that’s what we need, that communication. We need to appreciate being able to listen to the next mans perspective and derive from that our own thoughts.”
The main issue Torres tackled was race, particularly how it is portrayed in society today. He touched on specific aspects such as equality and immigration, recalling some of his personal experiences with a minority family in his message of inclusiveness.
“We’re all human beings when it comes down to it,” Torres said.
Torres’ energy and powerful lyrics made him a hit with the audience. “I really liked his energy and delivery,” industrial engineering junior Pat Brennan said.
“Ike is the sickest poet, and his lyrics are crazy concepts,” said architectural engineering senior and Another Type of Groove coordinator Josue Urrutia. “Just the way he puts things together with radical ideas, it’s just something you don’t think about every day.”
Those in attendance were treated to high-octane lyricism. Torres, who works with the nonprofit group With Our Words, performed many of his verses loudly, emphasizing his passion for the subject at hand. At the end of his performance Torres received a standing ovation.
“He came out the first poem screaming to the top of his lungs and everybody was ecstatic,” Urrutia said.
The first part of the night was an open-mic session for anyone who wanted to share their poetry. Students performed verses on subjects like religion, love and friendship. The audience was friendly as every poet received a round of applause.
Many of those who enjoy Another Type of Groove, including Urruita, said it adds something unique to the college experience.
“It brings in diversity and other points of view,” Urrutia said. “If everyone was exposed to that then people could maybe change their points of view and understand each other better.”
“Social interaction is something that has become obsolete and we need these social gatherings or we’re all just going to end up in pods,” Torres said. “We all just need to come together and keep humanity alive.”
Another Type of Groove is a free event and open to the public. It is hosted by Cal Poly’s Multicultural Center and Student Life and Leadership and features a highlighted poet as well as an open-mic session. It meets the first Wednesday night of every month in Chumash Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.