What happens when thirteen of the nation’s most renowned poets, including the likes of Buddy Wakefield, Danny Sherrard, Anis Mojgani and Matt Gano, collaborate on an album set to a score by award-winning musician and producer Steven Clough is nothing short of genius. In an album destined to be unlike anything you’ve heard before, The World: Before & After features poems inspired by the artists’ views on a range of worldly topics. All royalties from sales of this album will be donated to support community-based arts programs. From multiple International and National Slam Poetry champions, to internationally touring artists, an internationally traveling Cultural Envoy of the Arts for the U.S., to a poet invited to the White House by First Lady Michelle Obama and the man called a “rock star” of the poetry world by The Boston Globe, The World: Before & After is a collaboration between some of the world’s best poets. The poems included on this album span a vast array of topics, centered around the artists’ different views on the world, that allow the listener’s mind to wander as each poem fluidly flows from one to the next. The scores, written and produced by Steven Clough, assist in creating an emotional rollercoaster that ultimately leaves the listener feeling a sense of release upon reaching the finish. To follow the old cliché, there truly is a little something for everyone on this album. The topics of the poems range from examining truth, to gay and minority rights, to teaching youth. It spans from profound philosophical insight to imaginative comical and accessible language that can be cherished by any listener. Ultimately, this collection has succeeded in creating a new academically sophisticated and artistic sound. The album art displays a character looking up with the Earth and a skyline silhouetted behind him. Designed by the New Jersey based Forefathers Group, the artwork is representative of hope, life and the conscious of an open mind, all themes heavily woven through the words and sounds of the album. Fireign United is a conglomerate that connects and aligns the business, entertainment and non-profit communities. Their lead business group consults with businesses on cause-marketing and philanthropic development; however, their growing relationships with members of the entertainment community have led them to dive deeper into the music production and artist development space. Their musical work, produced under the Fireign Records subsidiary, has been featured on TV, film and other media.