MANNIE HAGER "Defiant Sun"

Mannie Hager aka Defiant Sun, was born in Ponze, Puerto Rico at home on the couch out my mothers womb in 1973, moved to Brooklyn in 1985, where he couldn't speak any real english, Mannie learned English by watching cartoons.  His mother who is German spoke to me in German and his father who was Puerto Rican spoke to him in Spanish.  He was born in a house hold of torn religious views.  He is the product of Christianity and Islam and somewhere in between there was peace.  Mannie a Brooklyn native of Puerto Rican and German decent, relocated to Lawton, Oklahoma in 2002. Mannie spent 9 years on active duty where his highest achieved rank was Staff Sergeant. While in the military, he went on numerous campaigns which included being deployed to Somalia, Rwanda, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, and Bosnia. After he left the military in 2001 he resided in Newport News, VA where he worked for Coca-Cola Enterprises until his mother had a stroke and then moved to Lawton, Oklahoma to help take care of his mother. Since his stay in Lawton, Oklahoma, Mannie decided to started school, which at a late age is a struggle. He attends Cameron University where his major is History and Political Science. He will be graduating in May of 2007. Mannie has overcome many obstacles which include surviving cancer in 2005, a battle that he is still fighting to win every day and surviving running over a land mind in Somalia. His story is fascinating on many levels; his poetry is energetic, entertaining, and heartfelt. Mannie speaks from his heart.

His passion for poetry comes from the depth of his soul, at an early age Mannie started to write poetry. He was exposed to spoken word while being stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas where he went to a book store called Under One Roof in 1999, This was his poetic birth and was hooked ever since. His energetic performance and strength are heart felt within his performance. He can speak on many topics which include political, love, erotica, and history.

Mannie has been writing poetry for about a total of about 15 years and started performing his art 8 years ago. He as had many accomplishments which include organizing some of the hottest shows in the state of Oklahoma on both a University level and professional level. He has also been published on www.poetry.com , www.destee.com, www.openmic.com and an article in the Dallas Examiner where he as received honors for his work. He has been interviewed by the Cameron University Collagen and been interviewed on CUTV for his poetic craft, and has been in rotation with Jazz Poetry Café Radio hosted by Phillip G. www.jazzpoetrycafe.net

He has shared stages along sides of some of the hottest poets in the country such as Taalam Acey, Mahogany L. Brown, L.I.F.E, Nuyorican Grand Slam Champion Archie the Messenger, Rob Hylton, Nathan P, Noodles, SahdoKat, Andrew Tyree, Atryn, HBO Def Poetry Poet Rockbaby, HBO Def Poet Joaquin Zihuatanejo, HBO Def Poet Gemineye, HBO Def Poet Big Mike, Michael Guinn, Stacey Williamson, Jenean Livingston, AJ Houston, Anthony Douglas, Silence, Vocab, Cocoafire, and Austin Grand Slam Champion 2 times in a row Christopher-Michael, and the Dallas raining grand slam champ Colin Gilbert just to mention a few.

He has preformed on many venues to include hosting at the Verbal High in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Book and CD
Openly Crying CD 2006 www.cdbaby.com/defiantsun
Out of the mouth of Mannie 2006
Speaking from the Heart 2007 available on www.lulu.com