Shane Koyczan

Shane Koyczan is a Canadian spoken word poet known for his powerful poems on topics such as bullying, cancer, death, and eating disorders.

Poet

May 22, 1976

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Shane L. Koyczan, a Canadian spoken word poet and writer, rose to prominence after performing his piece “We Are More” at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. As a member of the group Tons of Fun University, he addresses issues such as bullying, cancer, death, and eating disorders in his work. His most renowned piece, the anti-bullying poem “To This Day,” has garnered over 25 million views on YouTube. Koyczan has released multiple spoken-word albums, written a novel titled “A Bruise on Light,” and co-founded the spoken-word collective “The Short Story Long.” His numerous accolades include a Canadian Independent Music Award and the BC Book Prize for Poetry. A self-taught musician, Koyczan often incorporates music into his performances, drawing inspiration from artists like Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits.