Best of 2016 #8: Crystal Valentine & Aaliyah Jihad – “Hide Your Shea Butter”

Best of 2016 #8:
Crystal Valentine & Aaliyah Jihad – “Hide Your Shea Butter”

“It’s not that we don’t trust white people. It’s that y’all
really think my black looks better on you.”

Heading into the new year, we’re counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in eighth on the list, “Hide Your Shea Butter” by Crystal Valentine & Aaliyah Jihad. Congratulations poets!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel!


Best of 2016 #9: Sarah Kay – “Mrs. Ribeiro”

Best of 2016 #9:
Sarah Kay – “Mrs. Ribeiro”

“She made us wonder. She made us question.
She made us proud of what we had learned.”

Heading into the new year, we’ll be counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in ninth on the list, “Mrs. Ribeiro” by Sarah Kay. Congratulations Sarah!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel.


Best of 2016 #10: Kate Hao & Kristen Sze-Tu – “(Yet Still, I Wait)”

Best of 2016 #10:
Kate Hao & Kristen Sze-Tu – “(Yet Still, I Wait)”

“When his eyes first meet mine, I get lost
in the color of my skin.”

Heading into the new year, we’ll be counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in tenth on the list, “(Yet Still, I Wait)” by Kate Hao & Kristen Sze-Tu. Congratulations Kate & Kristen!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel.


Best of 2016: Runners-Up

Best of 2016: Runners-Up

Tomorrow we’re starting our year-end countdown of the 10 most-viewed videos on the Button Poetry channel in 2016. For today, check out this list of the runners-up, poems that range from funny to political to introspective and lyrical and everything in between.

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel.


Kevin Yang – “How to Love Your Introvert” (500K Views!)

“Just because I do not wear my heart on my sleeve for everyone to see
does not mean that it beats any softer than yours.”

Congratulations to Kevin Yang on topping 500,000 views on this wonderful poem. Check out more from Kevin here and here.



And while you’re here, make sure to check out our other books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, and Aaron Coleman!

Cassidy Foust – “Ghostbusters (is so gay…)”

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“For once I want to walk into a theater and see my reflection,
not a row of funhouse mirrors.”

Don’t miss this awesome poem from Cassidy Foust, performing at Button Poetry Live. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Best of Button Week 95

“The only difference between you and me, is I’m just
a small part of what you are.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: RJ Walker & Erica Hoops!
While you’re here on our site, make sure to check out our books and merchandise in the Button Store, including books by Aziza Barnes, Danez Smith, Neil Hilborn and our NEW book from Aaron Coleman!

Alyesha Wise – “Dour”

Performing at Art Share LA

“I don’t feel like fucking smiling. Who the fuck always smiles
when they are the fuck alone?”

Don’t miss this great poem from Alyesha Wise, performing at Art Share LA. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!

And while you’re here, head over to the Button Store to check out books and more by many of your favorite Button artists, including Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Mahogany L. Browne, Hanif Abdurraqib, and more!

Bernard Ferguson – “Message (after Khary Jackson)”

Performing at Great Plains 2016.

“I think that man was born whole, but for all this time I have been the piece that completes him.”

Don’t miss this lovely poem from Bernard Ferguson, performing at the 2016 Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up in Lincoln, NE. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.