VERSATYLE
THE BEGINNING: Philadelphia, PA
Keith Van Washington, known to many as Versatyle, is a multi-talented, multi-faceted young artist that brings to the stage a style that reflects his lyrical skill, his depth, and his spiritual upbringing.
There was evidence of Versatyle's artistic ability at an early age. His expressive and moving sketches brought him recognition and art awards during his childhood and adolescent years. While attending Central High School, Keith received a citation from the City of Philadelphia for one of his pieces, which was displayed in the Philadelphia Art Museum in 1997. Although he occasionally dabbled in poetry, Keith?s written artistic expression was secondary to his sketching ability. Then as a student at West Chester University there was a ?shift? ? his writing skills became dominant. Keith began to audibly express his poetry at open mic venues on various college campuses and in cafes in the West Chester area. In 2001, he performed one of his original pieces at the Frederick Douglas Society?s Eighth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest for which he won a book scholarship. Reports about his word play and stage presence surged throughout campus; as a result, he was repeatedly called on by faculty and students to perform at some of WCU?s most prestigious events.
Since then congregations and audiences in the Philadelphia area and beyond have experienced Versatyle?s soul-stirring performances. Versatyle was summoned by Ebony Magazine to write and perform an original piece for their 2003 launch party. He was later referred to in both Ebony and Jet magazines as ?spoken word star Versatyle?. In 2006 he was nominated Poetic Ambassador of the year by Prysmatic Dreams and the New Word Order both of which have international spheres of influence. Also that year he was a finalist in the McDonald?s Gospelfest in New York City. Fusing the worlds of poetry and theatre Versatyle played a lead role in the play Murder What?s Next?, which garnered an attendance of 20,000 in just one month. Versatyle has been featured on many compilation albums including: the 380 soundtrack produced by a MTV affiliate, Emancipation by international soul connoisseur DJ Come of Age, and the What Happened Hip Hop mix by Whispered Words where he was featured between Gill Scott Heron and KRS-one.
STYLE
Smooth and soulful are the words most often used by audiences and observers to describe Keith?s style. His skillful word play has earned him the respect and admiration of artists from various genres. Sometimes his message is challenging and convicting, but always uplifting, powerful, and based on truth. That truth, being the truth of God conveyed by the Holy Spirit.